kim hollamby Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 (edited) Hello everybody, I would appreciate some help please. I'm using a Merlin with a 1lb camera and have managed to get it balanced but it's never 100% rock-solid. I am using it to try and set up a 'walkthrough property' service for estate agents. My problems are: 1. As soon as I start the 'walk', the camera rocks slightly back and forward, which isn't fixable in Final Cut. 2.As soon as I stop andy move, the camera rocks back and forward. I find steadying it with my other hand impossible, so I'm trying to shoot one-handed, which works up to a point, but is very difficult when negotiating corners. I've been practising for about a month now on and off and I don't use a vest. I'm getting a bit frustrated now, to say the least. Any tips to stop the unwanted side-to-side and back and forth movement? Many thanks in advance. Kim Edited September 28, 2011 by kim hollamby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Amedeo Fabroni Posted September 28, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Hello everybody, I would appreciate some help please. I'm using a Merlin with a 1lb camera and have managed to get it balanced but it's never 100% rock-solid. I am using it to try and set up a 'walkthrough property' service for estate agents. My problems are: 1. As soon as I start the 'walk', the camera rocks slightly back and forward, which isn't fixable in Final Cut. 2.As soon as I stop andy move, the camera rocks back and forward. I find steadying it with my other hand impossible, so I'm trying to shoot one-handed, which works up to a point, but is very difficult when negotiating corners. I've been practising for about a month now on and off and I don't use a vest. I'm getting a bit frustrated now, to say the least. Any tips to stop the unwanted side-to-side and back and forth movement? Many thanks in advance. Kim Hi Kim, with Steadicam Merlin you have to achieve a set up with a drop time around 1 sec. If your Steadicam shots have accelerations and decelerations (for ex. start and stop walking) or changes of direction, it’s more difficult to shoot and compensate with a very bottom heavy configuration. Amedeo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim hollamby Posted September 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Thank you for your reply Amedeo. I have a good drop time but maybe not quite as long as on the video link you kindly posted. I'll revisit that and make it longer and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Nick Tsamandanis Posted September 29, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 I always set up my Merlin with a drop time of at least two seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim hollamby Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Many thanks, I shall try a longer drop. If operating one-handed, the DVD suggests to use you thumb and finger on the guide to pan, tilt,stop etc. Is this possible?? If I even touch the guide the whole thing rocks and spoils the shot. I can't ever imagine this to be possible. Is it masses of practice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Nick Tsamandanis Posted September 29, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Not a problem with a light camera, just takes some practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim hollamby Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 A question on setting the camera up: Is it rock solid, up and down and left and right before you start shooting? Working on mine today took nearly twenty minutes to get it to this state and by the time I had done this, my back was in such agony, I couldn't start shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Morgan Moore Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 You must control the rig with a thumb and forefinger - thats how steadicam works.. steadicams must be controlled If you dont you will be frustrated for ever Which T+F is your choice but IMO its much easier to do with the hand that is not supporting the rig S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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