Tiffen Steadicam Merlin 2 Specifications download pdf (Page 24)

7. Horizontal and Vertical Trim

Horizontal trim

You have preset vertical balance and camera position on the Stage, but your Merlin 2 is still unlikely to

be in perfect balance. Let’s see how unbalanced it is, and in what direction.

Trim

Grasp the Grip with your right hand and slide up your hand so

you can steady the Guide with your right thumb and forenger.

Steady the upper spar with your left hand and tentatively

release it. It will probably start to tilt over – either to the front,

back or sideways (or both).

Note the direction of tilt.

Each time you trim, hold the Merlin 2 level before you release

it so you can tell if you are getting close. Repeat as needed

until it hangs level front-to-back.

If the Merlin 2 also goes off-level side-to-side (which is likely),

use your thumb to push up or pull down on the Side-to-Side

Trim Roller under the Stage.

Follow the arrows. If the monitor side of your camera needs to

come up, push up. If the monitor is too high, pull down.

Remember to hold it level each time before you release. Repeat

as necessary.

Alternate trying to trim fore-and-aft and side-to-side. It is

easier if you don’t try to balance one axis entirely all at once.

Go back and forth from one Trim Roller to the other as you

get closer.

Making a large fore-and-aft adjustment

If your camera is way out of balance fore-and-aft, as might happen if you’re balancing from scratch, it

may fall quickly when released. In that case you may slide the camera forward or backward on the Stage

to get closer to rough balance before trying to use the Fore-and-Aft

Trim Roller.

If the Merlin 2 tries to tilt forward, use your thumb to push up

several times on the Fore-and-Aft Trim Roller.

If the Merlin 2 tilts backwards, pull down several times, and

try it again.

The adjacent arrows will remind you which direction to adjust

each Trim Roller. Use quick full turns.

Don’t grab the Lower Spar if the Merlin 2 falls off-level. Just

slide your ‘Grip’ hand up and stabilize the Guide Ring with

your thumb and ngers in order to keep the Merlin 2 from

tilting too far in any direction.

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Tiffen Steadicam Merlin 2 Specifications Page 24