Setup and Operation Manual LIT-812000
Designed in the USA, manufactured in Taiwan by: The Tiffen Company 90 Oser Avenue Hauppauge, NY 11788 631-273-2500 Fax 631-273-2557 Toll Free 800-645-2522 www.tiffen.com Tiffen/Steadicam 818-843-4600 www.steadicam.com Cookbook & Merlin 2 help: www.merlin2cookbook.com merlintechsupport@Steadicam.com US Patents 4,946,272, 5,098,182 and 5,229,798 Other US & Foreign Patents applied for. Steadicam® and Merlin® are registered trademarks of The Tiffen Company. Copyright 2012 Garrett Brown & The Tiffen Company.
Basic Set-up Table of Contents Part One — Setup 1. Overview 2. A Tour of the Merlin 2 3. Getting Started 4. Pre-Setting Balance 5. Installing Dovetail Plate 6. Balancing and Mounting the Camera 7. Horizontal and Vertical Trim Part Two — Operating 8. Hand Positions 9. Body Positions 10. Extreme Trimming 11. Stairs 12. Shooting and Resting Positions 13. Vehicle Shots 14. Merlin 2 Technique Moves and Results 15. Accessories 16. Troubleshooting 17. Maintenance 18.
Basic Part Set-up One A letter from Steadicam® Inventor, Garrett Brown Dear Friends, You are about to have a two-part experience. Even this manual is in two parts.
Part One — Setup Congratulations on your purchase of the Steadicam® Merlin2®! The Steadicam Merlin2® is a camera stabilization system for lightweight camcorders based on the professional Steadicam technology used worldwide in professional film and television production. Basic Set-up Features • Ultra-light: by itself weighs just 1.4 lbs (0.
1. Overview — Read this first Overview How to Use the Merlin2® Manual and Instructional Video The Merlin 2 manual and instructional video are designed to be used together. They are divided into corresponding sections. Watching the video for each section will show you the basic principles and operations of the Merlin 2 and give you a feel for how to perform them. Then the manual will take you step-by-step through the same operations with your Merlin 2 and camcorder.
Requirements for setup Set aside an hour or so for your first session with the Merlin 2. Set up a comfortable work chair and table in front of your TV and near a bright light. Put the following items within easy reach: • The Merlin 2 packing case. Don’t unpack yet. Basic • Your camcorder, with a fully charged battery. • Check for your camcorder listing at: www.merlin2cookbook.
2. A Tour of the Merlin2® Before you take your Merlin2® out of the box… The Parts We’ll begin by describing the purpose of the system and identifying the major components. Then we’ll cover the procedure for safely unpacking and unfolding the unit. So leave it in the box for now! Camcorders are unstable because the human beings holding them are always in motion.
The Caliper Release Ring prohibits inadvertent folding with heavy cameras. The Upper Locking Knob and the Lower Locking Knob release the upper and lower spars to expand or contract at the Caliper Hinge, and then lock them tightly to prevent vibration when shooting The Caliper Adjusting arc between them. Knob raises and lowers the lower spar to adjust the size of the Basic Set-up The combination of these elements works astonishingly well, and we hope you will enjoy the Merlin 2 as much as we do.
Unpacking and identifying parts The Parts Remove the parts one at a time from the box. Make a check in the space provided as you identify each part. Any part that is packed in an envelope should be identified and then kept in that envelope until it’s called for. Do not throw away any packing material until all parts are accounted for. If anything is missing, please contact Tiffen for a replacement.
3. Getting Started Unfolding the Merlin2® into Flying Mode The Steadicam Merlin 2 is shipped to you in its compact Folded or Travel Mode. Getting Started It is important to unfold and fold the unit in the proper sequence, to avoid accidental damage. There are only two positions. Begin by unfolding the unit into Flying Mode as follows: Position the Merlin 2 as shown. Hold the Stage and the Grip together with your hand.
Identify the following parts: Getting Started Gimbal. We identified the Gimbal in Section 1, but now examine its range of motion. The Gimbal contains delicate bearings and must not be forced beyond its natural range of movement. Grip. The Grip supports and positions the Merlin 2. The Grip should always be held with the rubber grip side facing forward in contact with your fingers. If it’s held backward, movement of the Gimbal will be impeded and under some circumstances the Gimbal could be damaged.
4. Pre-Setting Balance When your camera is mounted onto the Merlin 2, the entire unit must be set-up and balanced so that the combined center-of-gravity (camera plus Merlin 2), ends up just below the center of the fulcrum (the Gimbal), and precisely adjusted to be slightly bottom-heavy. Let’s take a moment to understand this. “Z” Balance Try balancing a shallow pie plate on the tip of your finger. It’s very difficult to do, because the center-of-gravity (c.g.) of the bowl is above your finger.
You won’t need to screw them on tightly. Each weight has a rubber O-ring at the back of the threads that keeps it from working loose, even when barely tightened. “Z” Balance Screw and unscrew two weights together and apart, notice that they only need to be lightly tightened (until just snug), so they remain easy to add and remove. Unfold the Merlin 2 and unscrew the Start weight from the forward position and the Start and Finish weights from the lower position and set them aside.
2. Adjusting the Caliper Hinge The second method of balance – for a finer adjustment of bottom-heaviness – involves expanding and contracting the angle of the Merlin 2’s lower spar. This adjustment raises or lowers the weights relative to the camera. Identify the Caliper Hinge Locking Knobs. They tighten the connection between the upper and lower spar and keep the Merlin 2 rigid to prevent vibration. Basic Set-up Loosen both Locking Knobs. Identify the Caliper Adjusting Knob.
Lay the Merlin 2 on its side on the table. Using a tape measure, open or close the Caliper as needed to set the suggested distance from the lower weight to the top of the Stage. “Z” Balance Now hold the Merlin 2 vertical and lock both Locking Knobs tightly to prevent vibration. Balancing from Scratch II: Pre-adjusting the Caliper Hinge If your camera weighs approximately a pound (450g) set the Caliper Hinge to about 10 inches (25cm).
This adjustment fine-tunes the location of the center of mass to the optimum point just below the pivot point of the Gimbal. We call this the ‘Z’ axis, or vertical balance. WARNING: The Guide can be difficult to rotate if screwed all the way in. Also, tightening the Guide all the way can make the latch difficult to release. Basic Set-up The Gimbal contains delicate bearings. Excessive force will cause the Gimbal Ring to break. DO NOT use the Grip as a lever for turning the Guide.
5. Installing the Dovetail Plate Dovetail Plate Before mounting your camera, let’s preview docking the Dovetail Plate on the stage. Hook the folded metal edge of the Dovetail Plate over the left side of the Stage (toward your camera’s fold-out monitor), and the long flat surface will be toward the front. The three-position Dovetail Locking Lever goes to the other side. Hold the Locking Lever straight forward and lower the Dovetail Plate gently onto the Stage.
Attaching the camera to the Dovetail Plate Because the center-of-gravity of each type of camera is different, their positioning on the Stage will vary. Gross positioning of the camera above the Gimbal is accomplished by the proper choice of mounting hole. (Fine positioning is accomplished with the fore-and-aft and side-to-side trim knobs.) Consult your settings from the Online Cookbook to find the correct mounting hole on the Dovetail Plate for your camera, identified alphabetically, from A to O.
Dovetail Plate Balancing from Scratch III: Find your camera’s c.g. If you did not find your camera in the online cookbook, here’s how to find and mark your camera’s center of balance, and locate the correct hole on the Dovetail Plate. (This is a good thing to know in any event.) Be sure the camera’s monitor screen is folded out in the viewing position.
6. Balancing and Mounting the Camera Before your camera is mounted, inspect both trim rollers Unfold the Merlin 2 into the Shooting Mode. Camera Look at the Fore-and-Aft Trim Roller alongside the Stage. There should be about one inch (25mm) of threaded rod showing in front. Note the two arrows forward of the Roller. They indicate that when you need the front of the Merlin 2 to tilt up, push the roller up. It may take several energetic turns to make a difference, as this is a very fine adjustment.
CAUTION: Be sure to keep a hand on your camera whenever the locking lever is unlocked to keep your camera from falling off. Camera Slide the Dovetail Plate until the forward edge is at the correct Stage Position (according to the Cookbook as noted). Now, swing the Locking Lever toward the rear to lock the Dovetail to the Stage. Balancing from Scratch IV: If your camera is not in the Online Cookbook, set the default stage position to “0” before locking the lever.
The Caliper Hinge Release Ring If you have more than three or four weights attached to the Lower Spar, the ‘click-stop’ catch that keeps the Merlin 2 in the Flying Mode, may not be strong enough to restrain the weight when held out sideways and the hinge may open. With heavier cameras, get in the habit of locking and unlocking the Caliper Hinge Release when you unfold and fold the Merlin 2. (That will also prevent it from opening inadvertently when set down sideways between shots.
7. Horizontal and Vertical Trim Horizontal trim Trim You have preset vertical balance and camera position on the Stage, but your Merlin 2 is still unlikely to be in perfect balance. Let’s see how unbalanced it is, and in what direction. Grasp the Grip with your right hand and slide up your hand so you can steady the Guide with your right thumb and forefinger. Steady the upper spar with your left hand and tentatively release it.
Keep one hand lightly on the camera to keep it secure and swing the Locking Lever straight out to the side to loosen the Dovetail Plate. Now slide the camera backward or forward until it feels roughly in balance. Then lock it by swinging the Locking Lever to the rear. Now touch up fore-and-aft balance with the Trim Roller. Basic Set-up Top-heaviness If you have trimmed repeatedly and the Merlin 2 never seems balanced, it may be top-heavy (with the center of mass above the gimbal).
Cure mild bottom-heaviness by loosening the Locking Knobs and reducing the Arc Size with the Caliper Hinge Adjusting Knob. Trim Cure moderate bottom-heaviness by removing weight from the Lower Spar. Again either ‘cure’ will require re-trimming foreand-aft.
Trimming Review If the camera tilts forward, push up the Fore-and-Aft Trim Roller alongside the Stage several quick turns (like the arrows) to raise the front of the Merlin 2, and vice versa. If the camera tilts toward the monitor (to the left), push up the Side-to-Side Trim Roller several quick turns to return to level. If it tilts right, pull down on the Roller. Trim Review In each case, hold the Merlin 2 level and steady. Then, let it go to test your trim.
If you have performed all set up adjustments in a single session, you may want to take a break and continue when you are fresh and rested! As soon as you are ready, watch Section 8 of the DVD: Hand Positions. Trim Review Then begin reading Part 26 II – Operating in the Manual..
Part Two — Operating Please read this manual carefully and keep it as a reference. It includes a number of useful operating tips that are not shown in the DVD. Operating! Part Two This is the fun part! The Merlin 2 is not just a stabilizer, it’s a uniquely elegant way to hold a camera at the center of balance, with the full freedom of your extended arms, and none of the awkward jerks and lurches of handheld shooting.
8. Hand Positions Two-handed operating position Hand Positions This is the smoothest, easiest and most precise way to operate the Steadicam Merlin 2. The force to support it is isolated from the camera and the force to aim it can be almost non-existent. The camera is free to rotate on excellent bearings. What’s more, it is highly inert! The combination will provide you with an entirely new sensation as you orient an object that acts as if it were floating in space.
re-setting its angle relative to the guide, as you intermittently hold and let go the Guide with finger and thumb. (This is esoteric stuff – check the DVD for this one!) One-handed operating is not as precise as two-handed, but it can be extremely useful when you need a free hand to open doors, move extras out of the way or hold a sandwich.
Reverse mode (aka ‘Don Juan’) Body Positions The Don Juan was also whimsically named circa l980, and it’s still what the professional operators in 40 countries call the other major operating position: the Reverse Position, defined as operating with the camera aimed roughly in the reverse direction as the forearm of your “guide” hand. Try it two-handed. Assume the Forward Mode as shown above… Pan the camera to the rear without moving your body.
monitor screen as needed and experiment with raising and lowering the height of the camera and notice the effect that it has on your shot. Boom high for shooting adults Boom low for correct headroom for kids. This lets you see the world from a kid’s perspective, rather than looking down on the top of their heads. Boom up as you approach your subject (instead of tilting) to maintain correct headroom. Boom up and down if the height of the ground is changing between you and your subject.
10. Extreme Trimming Trimming for Shots Extreme Trim Steadicam operating is radically different from almost every other human activity—including normal camera operating! It requires a number of unusual moves and techniques such as trimming, so the desired headroom can be effortlessly maintained. Side-to-side trim should be checked every few minutes to confirm that the Merlin 2 is hanging approximately level (check the bubble). The balance required is so fine that it can never be set permanently.
11. Stairs Stair shots can look great and be easy to shoot, if you: Reduce bottom-heaviness by counter-clocking the Guide one turn, and then trim for the average angle required for going up or down, including any landings. Boom up and down to make additional adjustments for headroom. (Your subject will rise and fall in your frame because you both cross-landings at different times.
Positions Shoulder Modes Docking and Carrying The Merlin 2 can also rest on your shoulder and still act as a brace for conventional hand-held shooting: Merlin 2 can be quickly set-down between shots as follows: Open the caliper hinge release and swing the the unit down on a table (or other flat surface) that has room underneath for the Lower Spar to dangle. Upper Spar up into the travel mode underneath the stage.
13. Vehicle Shots Steadicam rigs in general and the Merlin 2 in particular can provide superb camera stabilization in moving vehicles — riding in a car or hanging out the back of an ATV or a pickup truck. You’ll see the world smoothly from virtually any non-violent conveyance (including our new ‘HandsFree” version of the Segway Transporter), or you can include your fellow passengers and reveal the true motions of the vehicle in the foreground.
14. Merlin2® Technique Good technique can make your shots much Technique easier to get. Lack of technique can make them nearly impossible. Moves & Results Watch section 14 in the DVD. It is a ‘wordless workshop’ of Steadicam moves, along with the picture-in-picture results. Play it several times and compare the physical maneuvers of the operators with the shots produced.
Use your senses to navigate. Seems obvious, yes?—what else are you going to use? Well we just want to remind you of a couple of non-obvious sensory possibilities: • Use a foot to reach out and locate obstacles and identify doorways, etc. when backing up or shooting blind. • Check your auditory circuits now and then for voices whispering useful suggestions like “watch out!” (You’ll be amazed.
One-handed operating can be quite comfortable, can allow you to reach higher with the camera and further out to the side. It is essential for opening doors, or for including yourself in a shot! Technique Hand-offs (passing the Merlin 2 to another camera person) can be useful, but please practice and be careful not to drop the things in the process. Shot geography thrives on familiarity.
WARNING: Stunt shooting and leaping over cliffs with the Steadicam rig is tempting but remember: it’s only a movie. We don’t advise trashing a thousand-dollar camera or breaking your leg—even for the “Shot of the Century!” Home Shooting Tips BIRTHDAY PARTIES Sit on the floor among very young children as they play around you. Relax and take the load off your arm by bracing your elbow on your knee.
Rush back down the aisle after the ceremony, Turn on the lights, let the camera auto-colorbalance, but pre-set manual focus for at least ten feet. Move along the receiving line, shoot 360° Practice extensively; shoot several houses and examine your playbacks before attempting this professionally. ahead of bride and groom as the well-wishers lean out to see them sweep by.
15. Accessories The Tripod Adaptor Plate (included) screws onto your tripod and accepts the Merlin 2 dovetail plate; so you can switch your camera instantaneously back and forth between tripod and Merlin 2. Simply unlock the Dovetail Plate and remount it onto the Tripod Adaptor. Then be sure to return it back onto the same mark on the Merlin 2 stage so your foreand-aft trim will be retained.
16. Troubleshooting TROUBLE OPERATING Troubleshooting If things don’t feel right, if your Merlin 2 doesn’t seem to behave like the ones in the DVD, check out these possibilities. Yawing (rolling). Merlin 2 is probably excessively bottom-heavy, a too-rapid pendulum. Try counter clocking the Guide Ring until the ‘drop-time’ approaches one full second. Once trimmed, side-to-side, don’t let the camera ‘swing’ – use a light touch on guide to keep the camera level. Erratic, unsmooth.
18. Glossary of Steadicam® Terms Attention Cycle: sequential check of framing, level, navigating, etc., that helps Steadicam operators get tough shots. Locating Pin: supplied pin to prevent camera rotation on stage. Low-Angle Shot: camera held low, looking Basher: self-powered fill light, aka “Obie”, “Eye-Light” – which is optional with Merlin 2. upward. Boom: to smoothly raise or lower the entire Merlin 2 and camera unit. Forward Shooting Position—lens aimed in similar direction as your forearm.
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Designed in the USA, manufactured in Taiwan by: The Tiffen Company 90 Oser Avenue Hauppauge, NY 11788 631-273-2500 Fax 631-273-2557 Toll Free 800-645-2522 Tiffen/Steadicam 818-843-4600 www.steadicam.com Cookbook & Merlin 2 help: www.merlin2cookbook.com merlintechsupport@Steadicam.com Inventor: Garrett Brown US Patents 4,946,272, 5,098,182 and 5,229,798 Other US & Foreign Patents applied for.
