Steadicam Merlin Arm & Vest with the Blackbird Stabilizer

Blackbird stabilizer on the Steadicam Merlin arm and vest

Today I received a package with something very handy inside!

It's the Z-post from Camera Motion Research to use the Blackbird Stabilizer (which I reviewed a few days ago) on the Steadicam Merlin arm and vest! Let's have a closer look at it.

Z-post waiting to be unpacked

Removing the arm post and replacing it with the Z-post from Camera Motion Research

Steadicam Merlin arm with the Z-post installed

Blackbird in use on the Z-post

As you can see in the pictures above, the Z-post provides extra room between the Blackbird and the Steadicam arm. The Blackbird can also be connected directly to the arm post, but using this Z-post makes operating it a lot easier. I've tried flying the Blackbird on the Steadicam arm and vest system without it and although it's possible, the Z-post definitely makes a big difference in operating.

Blackbird on the arm and vest

The Steadicam arm and vest system makes it possible to fly your camera on the Blackbird stabilizer for a much longer time without getting very tired. Although, you might feel some muscle pain in your lower back at the first couple of days.

Because the weight of the Blackbird and camera is distributed over your entire upper body thanks to the arm and vest, you don't have to carry the weight with your arm anymore. It's like the rig became weightless and it makes it possible to fly a much heavier camera setup on the Blackbird. When you look at the picture on the left, you'll see me flying the NEX-FS100 with a much heavier lens then the Sony 16mm pancake and wide converter, that I normally use. It's the Tokina 12-24mm superwide zoom lens with the Novoflex adapter (Nikon lens to NEX mount).

I'm planning on making a short demonstration video soon, showing the Blackbird in action on the Steadicam arm and vest system. So please check back soon!