Tiffen Steadicam Merlin 2 Specifications download pdf (Page 21)

Camera

6. Balancing and Mounting the Camera

Before your camera is mounted, inspect both trim rollers

Unfold the Merlin 2 into the Shooting Mode.

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 ne adjustment. When you need the

front of the Merlin 2 to tilt down, pull the roller down.

Look at the smaller Side-to-Side Trim Roller underneath

the Stage. It should be approximately set with about an equal

amount of threaded rod showing on either side.

Note the two arrows to the left of the Roller. They indicate that

when you need the left (or monitor) side of the camera to go

upward, push this roller up, and vice versa.

Observe the Bubble Level at the back of the Stage. The Side-

to-Side Trim Roller will be used to help balance the Merlin 2

to stay level.

Mounting your camera

By now your camera should be attached in the correct location on the

Dovetail Plate. Your Merlin 2 should have the correct weights aboard and

be adjusted to have the correct Arc Size for your camera – either per the

Cookbook settings or according to our Balancing-From-Scratch instructions.

Here goes:

Hold the Merlin 2 Stage with one hand and the camera with the other

hand. Hook the bent portion of the Dovetail Plate over the monitor side

of the Merlin 2 Stage as you practiced earlier.

Hold the Dovetail Locking Lever in the forward position to carefully

allow the Dovetail Plate to drop down onto the stage.

Swing the Locking Lever straight out to the side.

Try giving both Trim Rollers a couple of quick, energetic turns. Hold the Upper Spar still with

one hand, and use the thumb of your ‘support’ hand on the Grip to push either Trim Roller up or

down. The action of the Trim Rollers is best seen from underneath. Observe how they alter the

balance of the system by moving the Gimbal carrier fore-and-aft or side-to-side relative to the

camera.

Now return the Trim Rollers roughly to their preset positions.

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Tiffen Steadicam Merlin 2 Specifications Page 21