Steadicam Merlin 2 - Balancing the D800

[spiderwayne]

I own the first Merlin and I own the Nikon 24-70mm lens. Using the settings above but adding another 2 bottom weights (regular weight and end weight) I was able to get it to work very easily. I was actually surprised at how easy it was... maybe I just got lucky.

[elvis_chen]

the D800 video link of your cookbook web page is dead.

[cleardreams]

But what is the drop time? I am setting the same thing up and so far hole "N" is the only one working, setting the camera back as far as it goes, adjusting trim as far back as it can go. It balances (half weight on nose, 4 plus 2 half weights on bottom).

Problem is that when you move it so bottom heavy that the momentum easily starts it rocking back and forth.


Am I just missing something?

[anthonycongiano]

Once a Merlin is balanced, does not pendulum and does not fall over but it still slightly wobbles with a DSLR on it, what is there to do? As I walk I can see the level bubble moving from right to left. Dropping the Z axis starts to make the camera top heavy and closing it makes the camera start to pendulum. I've tried multiple settings arcs and weight combinations... currently Canon 60 D, Sigma 12-24, plate screw N, Stage 0, arch 30 cm, mid one weight one finish, bottom 3 weights one finish, z axis opened two clicks, drop time is about 2 seconds. I constantly find myself somewhere in between being top heavy and bottom heavy... and I get the classic "Merlin Wobble" you read about in newsgroups. My camera will not spin around perfectly it always has that slight wobble.