Video - Blackbird on the Steadicam Merlin Arm and Vest

Here's a short video demonstration I made with the Sony FS100 showing the Blackbird stabilizer on the Steadicam Merlin arm & vest. The 'behind the scenes' footage was captured using a Sony NEX-5N.

You can mount the Blackbird stabilizer directly on the Steadicam arm and vest using the standard Merlin arm post. For this video I've used the optional Z-post (review of the Z-post) from Camera Motion Research, because it gives you more clearance between the arm and the stabilizer.

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.

Review: Blackbird Camera Stabilizer

The Blackbird Full Kit after unpacking everything

A few days ago I was asked by Camera Motion Research if I would like to try out their Blackbird Camera Stabilizer. A fantastic offer I just couldn't refuse, being the camera stabilizer fanatic that I am! And before I knew it, UPS came to my door and delivered the Blackbird.

Glidecam HD-2000 Review and Videos!

Glidecam HD-2000 and the Glidecam forearm support brace

About two weeks ago I received a package with the Glidecam HD-2000 inside to 'test drive' and review. Now a few days later, I'm already addicted to this stabilizer!

Balance and setup
Setting up the Glidecam HD-2000 for the first time was an absolute breeze. The first thing I did, was mounting the camera (Sony NEX-FS100 with the 16mm f2.8 pancake lens and ultra wide converter and a smaller NP-F770 battery, without the side handle attached to the camera) on a Manfrotto (MN-357) Sliding Plate Adapter. Then I tried to find the center of gravity and marked the spot underneath the sliding plate. This spot should roughly be placed on top the central post. You do this by attaching your camera (or in my case with sliding plate adapter attached) to the quick release plate of the HD-2000. After that, you can start the balance process. I started out with the side handle attached to the camera and used 3 counter weight plates on each side of the Glidecam. By telescoping the base platform in and out I got the right drop time and was able to fly the camera within minutes after unboxing everything.

The New Steadicam Merlin 2

Video of the Steadicam Merlin 2 in action

Tiffen unveiled their brand-new Steadicam Merlin 2 camera stabilizer system at CES 2012 earlier this year. It looks a lot like the original Steadicam Merlin, but it's more robust and has some functional refinements.

Balancing the NEX-FS100 on the Steadicam Merlin

The last few weeks I received a lot of questions about the two Steadicam videos you can see below. One of them was if I used the Steadicam Merlin Arm & Vest - which I did not use for these videos - and the other one was which setup I used for the Steadicam Merlin.

Please note: I haven't been able to fly the new Steadicam Merlin 2 myself with the FS100, but I think these settings will also apply for the new version.

This is why I decided to post them here and hopefully give you a good starting point in balancing your Sony NEX-FS100 on the Merlin. It's very important to use these settings in combination with the camera configuration I've used. If you use a different lens or even an other battery, it can throw of your balance completely and you might nog be able to balance it properly, using these settings.

Autumn Forrest - NEX-FS100 & Steadicam Merlin

I've made a new short film with the NEX-FS100 on the Steadicam Merlin.
It's called "Autumn Forest" and yes, I came up with the title! What... you don't like it? Alright, specially for you I have another title: "Lots and Lots of Leaves on the Ground".

Click here to watch it on YouTube

The lens I used on the Sony NEX-FS100 is the E-mount 16mm F2.8 pancake lens (SEL1628) with the Ultra Wide converter (VCL-ECU1). I bought this lens specifically for the Steadicam, because of the auto iris and focus. Which isn't a luxury at all when you consider that you'll need both hands to operate the Steadicam.

Steadicam Merlin vs Steadicam Pilot

I came across these two video's.
The cool thing about it is that two Steadicam operators had an offline meeting on a great location (shikinomori Park) with their Steadicams. One brought his Steadicam Merlin with him and the other his Steadicam Pilot. They both made a video from their meeting and placed it on YouTube.

They both are great Steadicam operators and it's nice to see these two Steadicams in action together.