Tiffen Steadicam Merlin | 
 enlarge | Brand: Tiffen
Category: Photography
Buy New: $799.00
New (5) Used (2) from $725.00
Rating:  4 reviews
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6.7
Dimensions (in): 14.3 x 11.5 x 6.2
MPN: Merlin
Model: Merlin
UPC: 049383142754
EAN: 0049383060577
ASIN: B000EF3DXW
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Steadicam offers light, agile, and seamless video shooting | | • | Very lightweight and incredibly stable | | • | Counterbalancing weight can be precisely adjusted to balance cameras from 0.5 to 5 pounds | | • | Folding caliper hinge allows instant fold-up | | • | Perfect for shoulder-mounted shooting |
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Product Description
Tiffen's new ultra-lightweight Merlin camera stabilizer is the new choice for videographers. It turns any camera into a creative production tool; Now, even with the smallest camcorders, anyone can achieve a truly professional look. Shooting multi-media, events, weddings, industrials and documentaries, student or serious enthusiasts who have been searching for a cost effective camera stabilization solution. Five precision-threaded stainless steel balance weights and two tapered end weights balance cameras weighing less than four pounds
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| Customer Reviews:
 difficult December 3, 2008
Kenneth Geddings Jr. (Charleston, SC United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I got this used and in good condition i spent a week trying to balance the thing. and finally decided its not worth it and am reselling it.
It would be a great product and all but i just for the life of me coudnt get it balanced right. If you are interested in this product i STRONGLY suggest you find someone else who has it first who can show you have to use it and set it up before getting it. it is NOT something you can just pick up and use it takes a LOT of time. some people can get it right away but most others it takes a long time to get right.
at least the creator Garret Brown was helpful. I really wish i could have gotten this to work...it would have great.. but i decided to make the very difficult decision of selling it back rather then risk spending more money or time to figure out how to balance it.
one thought though i hear the lesser priced systems are even harder to set up... so if you have the time and perhaps know someone who has one too maybe it wont be so bad.
i do know for the money this is the only product of its kind to do the job.. it just requires the skill which apparently i dont have yet..
 So-so -- don't expect too much November 26, 2008
K. McKeever (St. Paul, MN)
First of all, you will see a slight up and down motion resulting from your footsteps (this is apparent even in their DVD demo material). The faster you move, the more apparent it is. More importantly, it's very hard to get the gyro to aim precisely where you want it to. Pans and tilts are very difficult, so expect to do a lot of practice and many takes to get something that roughly equates to what you want. After a few months, I didn't see enough of a benefit versus frustration, and I sold it.
I've also used a fig rig, which is much easier to control but doesn't give as smooth results. Basically, I haven't found a smooth-cam control at this budget level that I can really recommend.
 The best out there May 31, 2008
Michael C. Shu
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Sure, the glidecam is a couple hundred bucks cheaper, but if your camera is in the proper weight category, why not get the stabilization system from the people who wrote the book?
Granted, I never had much luck with Steadicam's previous handheld systems such as the JR or the DV, but they really nailed it this time with a unit that is simple, light, and infinitely adjustable for your needs.
The system of counterweights, arm and gimbal adjustments really gives you a great amount of control in finding the perfect balance for your camera and its mounted accessories. The gimbal is one of the finest designs for camera stabilization and is the core of what makes the merlin. All your hand shakes are absorbed and it allows the camera to be independent of what the rest of your body is doing.
The Good:
- The easiest to set up of the Steadicam handheld models
- the easiest to adjust on the fly with trim rotators
- The smoothest of the handheld systems
- Eliminates all shakes from hand movements.
- Floats all walking and running shots
The So-So:
- Without the arm and vest, there is still the up and down movement from walking
- With larger handheld cameras such as the DVX-100, the amount of counterweights necessary make the unit a little heavier than comfy. So shooting an all day event kills the wrists
- I wish there was an easier way to hold the unit when it's not in use
- The unit requires such balance precision that you will need to constantly adjust the trim as minute changes occur within your camera setup, such as tiny shifts in how your mic wires sit and I bet even the running of the tape from beginning to end.
Despite all my complaints, it beats the competition with its results.
Amazing piece of kit, full steadicam for a fraction of the price August 23, 2006
P. Bloom (London)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
Yes it's true, and I've tried them all. This is the one to get, no question. It takes a little bit of setting up initially, but once done for your camera once it's only fine adjustments after that.
It does take a huge amount of practice to make the most of it, to really get those beautiful smooth moves, but with this piece of kit you can do it. It's incredibly small, light (unless like me you are using a Sony Z1, which is heavy and needs all the counterbalance weights) so get your arms strong, especially your wrists and you will be fine!
I can only manage a few minutes at a time until I ache, but it's my first week with it, i expect i will have a tennis players serving arm within a few months!
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