Sony NEX VG10 with Steadicam's Merlin
October 17th, 2010
I've had Steadicam's Merlin for quite a while now and though it is expensive, it's a nice tool to get smooth video while moving the camera on your legs. I'd mostly used it with Canon's HV30 Camcorder, which is a lot smaller and lighter than the Sony NEX VG10 with the 18-200mm kit lens.
In short: it works, nicely!
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Sony NEX VG10 Camcorder with Steadicam Merlin"]
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I had to fiddle about till I got balance, and I had this configuration:
- NEX VG10E with 18-200mm kit lens
- Lens set at 18mm
- Standard FV70 battery
- Display flipped out
- Lens hood removed
- Wind muffler attached to microphone
- Eyecup attached.
Change any of this any you'll need to re-balance the Merlin. With the lens of the NEX VG10 being so heavy, the center of gravity of the camera is way to rear, which is reflected in the position of the camcorder on the Merlin. Using the optional bigger FV100 battery, center of gravity moves forward a bit and will work by just adjusting the stage forward - no additional weight needed.
Ok, my settings were as follows:
- Caliper extended quite far
- 2 full weights and two half-weighs attached
- Hole H on the stage
- -3 cm offset
- NO mid-weight. I've found that removing the mid-weight (shown in the image) gives a better balance and also allowing the camera to be mounted slightly forward on the stage.
Since SONY's Steadyshot is not quite as good as the regular steadyshot I've gotten used to from them, probably due to the large sensor in this camcorder, the Merlin is a very useful device.
With the NEX VG10, the Merlin does become quite heavy for single-hand operation, but I guess my hand will get used to the additional weight in time and will adapt by itself.
Stay tuned for video footage from my first exploits.
P.S. you might notice in the photo above that the hand holding the Merlin is not vertical. This is just a consequence of bending over to pose for the photo; normally the grip is vertical.
