Tiffen Steadicam Merlin 2 Specifications download pdf (Page 14)

“Z” Balance

Balancing from Scratch I: Formula for adding weights

If you don’t see your camcorder in the Online Merlin 2 Cookbook, here’s a rough formula to help you preset vertical

balance. Weigh your camera accurately (or look up its weight in the camera’s manual or on the manufacturer’s

website). Make sure you have the tape, disc or memory card aboard, plus a camera battery when you weigh it. Note

that the compact structure of the Merlin 2 puts its counterweights about four times as far below the gimbal (think

fulcrum!) as the center of your camera’s mass is above it. Therefore you’ll need at least a quarter of your camera’s

weight down below as counterbalance.

For every pound of camcorder weight, add at least a quarter-pound Merlin 2 weight to the lower spar.

< 1 lb (.45kg) Cameras under one pound will generally need one Finish weight forward and one Finish

weight below.

> 1 lb (.45kg) Cameras weighing over one pound will also need a tapered Start weight added below.

> 2 lbs (.91kg) At two pounds, add one Mid weight below.

> 3 lbs (1.36kg) At three pounds, add one more Mid below and also add a Mid in front (but never

more than one Mid and one Finish in the forward position -- they are for increased inertia and don’t

contribute much to vertical balance.)

+1 For every additional pound (.45kg), add at least one more Mid weight below.

Note some of the heavier HDV cameras suggested for use with Merlin 2, such as the Sony “Z” have higher than

normal centers-of-mass and may require the Mid weight in front to be moved down onto the lower spar. The idea

is to add as little weight as possible to balance your camera and so preserve the essential lightness of the Merlin 2

system. Without its weights Merlin 2 weighs 1.4 lbs (0.64 kg).

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.

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.

If your camcorder is in the Online Cookbook at www.merlin2cookbook.com note the number and

type of weights specied for both the forward and lower positions, and note them again here:

Forward Position:

0 or 1

Finish (zero for lightest cameras) + Mid (0 or 1)

Lower Position: Start (0 or 1) + Mid (0 to 6) + Finish

Install the weights specied at both the forward and lower positions. Note, as above: a Start weight

may not be called for, but cameras weighing a pound or more will almost always employ Finish

weights, both forward and below.

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Tiffen Steadicam Merlin 2 Specifications Page 14