DIY Merlin Steadicam Camera stabilizer with test footage
DIY Merlin steadicam that is easy to assemble. Parts are easy to find.
25 Responses to “DIY Merlin Steadicam Camera stabilizer with test footage”
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Excellent! You’ve just saved me a lot of money! seriously, your designed is possibly better than the original by virtue of its ability for pre-balance. I’ve played with the original and getting balance takes much time and practice. Yours seems to have a bit of pre-balance. I’m gonna try this, I’ll let you know, thanks!
hi, which one is better to use? Traxxas #1651 or Traxxas #5151, thanks
From watching you’re video it looks like it’s a little too bottom heavy. Try taking some weight off the lower arm or move it up. I think you’ll find it wobbles way less when you start moving, you should be able to eleminate all wobble. Static stability is easy, people don’t think about dynamic stability.
The gimbal design probably works and the whole thing does stabilize your footy but I think there’s still work required on the weighing tweaking part. It still *wobbles* from side to side a lot. I think you need to practice more. But good job anyway!
Very good idea! Congratulation! I’m Orlando José. I live in Brazil!
@sasktank it is PVC conduit.
cool design—–is that conduit metal or plastic ? you never said which in the video
Josh, thanks for the great tutorial. It was probably the easiest one to build on Youtube. It works pretty well when perfectly balanced, and that’s where the problem lies. DIY steadicams take a long time to fine tune. Merlin, on the other hand, has precise controls for balancing for all axis, but it costs $800.
After many frustrating hours of trying to balance the DIY version, I finally broke down and bought a used Merlin. You got me interested in the whole project, however. Thanks.
Josh, thanks for the great tutorial. It was probably the easiest one to build on Youtube. It works pretty well when perfectly balanced, and that’s where the problem lies.
To get it perfect, it takes a long time to fine tune. Merlin, on the other hand, has precise control for balancing for all axis, but it costs $800.
After many frustrating hours of trying to balance the DIY version, I finally broke down and bought a used Merlin. You got me interested in the whole project, however. Thanks.
Nice tutorial and well explained! That gimbal was the part that was giving me grief, and your video was the clearest I have found thus far on what to use and where to get it. Thanks!
I built a $12 version (you both have stabilizer and tripod) link is here ʎıp8ız/ɯoɔ˙ןɹnʎuıʇ//:dʇʇɥ (turn upside down to see link)
very good! will go to the local DIY shop tomorrow to do this. Thanks so much!
The Merlin is very badly manufactured. There is a single screw that holds the body plate on to the first arm and it always comes loose, meaning that you always have trouble finding the perfect fulcrum. I have one. My Z1 is the heaviest you can use for it and the results are not great. Well, probably better if you had the Steadicam team with you to fix the problems. The Glide Cams look good but not seen one in practice. My advice is make your own. Also go get a Canon 5D -VivLaRevolution
any updates on ur steadicam???
very nice macgyver style!
Ever think of using a different type of conduit clamps?
It looks like it says Targus 50 inch. I can;t find it at any place near me (N. Cal.) but a quick search shows Radio Shack may have it!
Targus TG-50TR 50″ Tripod
Model: TG-50TR | Catalog #: 16-264
$15.99
I’m pretty sure the reason/reasons you are getting “wobble” is because you don’t have the “Gimble” just above the complete rigs center of gravity.. did you set the drop time? it should be 2 seconds.. I’m betting you are bottom heavy.. that is where your “wobble” is coming from.. the weights are lagging behind the camera.. (CG will fix that) don’t forget you may need to move the camera as well to get the CG right..
Thanks for the detailed video. Have you been able to eliminate the wobble? I built my own from your ideas, with a few minor changes, but the wobble is terrible on mine. I used a ball-joint instead of the gimble, which may be part of the problem, but that eliminated the need for the skateboard bearing and still gives me free motion. Not sure I like it though. Great simple design though, Thanks!
NIce vid
how much did it all cost?
and do you have a part # for the u joint?
Hey Josh, is that a SUNPAK tripod? If not whats the brand and where did u buy it from. Thanx
very cool…you should sell these things. The things you think are “Simple” are tough for others who have no skill at this trade
I’d be interested in buying.
very good
see also:
Youtupe or Google Video
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or
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or
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Test Nr. 2
watch?v=B5FMTjcF2Ng