Merlin recommended for Sony VX 2100?

[Noah Rosenblatt]

New to forum and camera "flying". I have a couple of long shots tracking up two flights of stairs down hallway and into "TV studio" for an in-house/office production. Using a Sony VX2100 DVC camcorder (4.25 lbs plus remote LANC zoom control). Would you recommend a Merlin for this? I am considering renting and/or buying. A bit worried about the practice/setup/learning curve, especially with a rental. Renting "comes with a vest and arm" (needed or not?). Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Noah Rosenblatt

[Sam Morgan Moore]

A bit worried about the leaning curve - get very worried

 

I would say took me two months to even understand a steadicam at all

 

others will say it takes years to become an operator

 

the merlin is fun - bigger rigs are different completely

 

I dont happen to like the merlin and vest

 

buy a merlin to learn

 

I would rent something bigger

 

IMO a pilot is good to learn properly and rent if you need a bigger rig

 

I dont see you can learn without owning - you need to spend lots of lonely evenings pacing your office or studio

 

S

[Robert Starling SOC]

The Merlin is too small for the VX2100; your arm will tire from the weight very quickly. The Pilot would be better suited.

 

First though, before spending money on a rig take a two day workshop with Peter Abraham at Tiffen Steadicam and then make your selection of what rig you want.

 

Robert

[Noah Rosenblatt]

The Merlin is too small for the VX2100; your arm will tire from the weight very quickly. The Pilot would be better suited.

 

First though, before spending money on a rig take a two day workshop with Peter Abraham at Tiffen Steadicam and then make your selection of what rig you want.

 

Robert

 

To Robert and other folks out there—

Even though the VX 2100 is listed in the Merlin Cookbook, still too heavy? Not buying until I have tried a few. However, I have decided to rent either the Merlin with vest or pilot with vest for a few days practice prior to using it for a not too critical 1/2 day shoot with requiring 5-6 steadicam shots — and I hate to say it, these shots don't need to be "perfect" for my audience just give the flavor of tracking/dolly/fly-through movement. I like the LCD monitor feature of the pilot and the rental costs are not significantly different. Is one of these easier to get up and running (balance, operate, etc.) for a novice? All comments appreciated.

Thanks,

Noah Rosenblatt