Steadicam Merlin 2 Camera Stabiliser - US $349 Save US $450 (Usually US $799) from B&H Photo

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d123 on 29/11/2013 - 00:16 bhphotovideo.com (1379 clicks)

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For those interested in the industry standard for video stabilisation(including DSLR videos), Steadicam is the name brand. This unit is usually US$799 but until 4 December it is 56% off and selling at a very respectible US$349 plus postage from B&H Photo in New York (USA).

I highly recommend shopping at B&H Photo as their service is second-to-none. In terms of the postage cost, I usually buy a number of items to keep the shipping cost per item as low as possible. Remember there is no GST to be paid on this item.

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• 

  snuke on 29/11/2013 - 01:42

  +1

  Still expensive, yet very cheap.

• 

  lin.integra on 29/11/2013 - 04:36

  Wanna buy and ship them together?…

• 

  impoze on 29/11/2013 - 08:32

  better off with glidecam, so much easier to setup & balance

  • 

    daniel46211 on 29/11/2013 - 10:04

    The Merlin is much easier to balance and operate. It's also a lot lighter.

    Thanks OP!

  • 

    zhenjie on 29/11/2013 - 10:21

    Having used both plus a cheap Indian imitator I'll still go with the Steadicam

    • 

      Icedvovo on 29/11/2013 - 16:58

      The savings between the two would pay for another lens, battery or SD card.

• 

  onlyletters on 29/11/2013 - 10:25

  +3

  You can make your own with some gym weights and metal fabrication for a fraction of the price, there was a DIY on the net.

  • 

    snuke on 29/11/2013 - 11:23

    +3

    You can but the never work as well. I purchased a Manfrotto Modo steady which seems better than many homemade designs, it sucked, and I returned it.
    http://www.manfrotto.com/modosteady-3in1-shoulder-support-st…

    • 

      c0balt on 29/11/2013 - 13:19

      +1

      Depends on your skill and materials.

      IndyMogul has a few tutorials on his channel for DIY gear and then compares it to the pro gear.

      • 

        theworks on 29/11/2013 - 13:32

        All commercial design follow the same principle (counterweight). The different selling points are ease of balancing them and weight on wrists. While a homemade version can be great the ability to adjust and rebalance is near impossible in the field (even switching lenses will require that)

• 

  spacenoodle on 29/11/2013 - 11:00

  Any other deals on B&H to package shipping together?

  • 

    d123 on 29/11/2013 - 17:46

    Yes some other items with a great discount. See links below. I don't know how to make them clickable links on this website though.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Pentax-WG-3/ci/23273/N/3987300445?cm_mmc=EML--Holiday-Thurs--131128-_-Body_Retail_Pentax-WG-3

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/816260-REG/Drift_DHD_HD_Action_Camera.html?cm_mmc=EML--Holiday-Thurs--131128-_-Body_Retail_Drift-HD-Action-Camara

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1015074-REG/wacom_mdp123_inkling_digital_sketch_pen.html?cm_mmc=EML--Holiday-Thurs--131128-_-Body_Retail_Wacom-Sketch-Pen

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/EYE-FI/ci/23295/N/3987300423?cm_mmc=EML--Holiday-Thurs--131128-_-Body_Retail_Eye-Fi-Memory-Card

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/826272-REG/Lowepro_LP36398_PAM_Pro_Roller_Elite_150AW.html?cm_mmc=EML--Holiday-Thurs--131128-_-Body_Retail_Lowepro-Pro-Roller-Elite

• 

  Foma2 on 29/11/2013 - 11:57

  Pentax k-5ii for $599
  Pentax k-5ii with 18-135 for $799
  50/1.8 add on for $119

• 

  suicine94 on 29/11/2013 - 13:14

  does this thing clip on or is it stationed on the ground? I need it to clip onto my bed.

• 

  floppydesk on 29/11/2013 - 15:10

  +1

  Don't bother - it doesn't cope with that kind of bed movement…

• 

  Icedvovo on 29/11/2013 - 16:55

  Steadicam really in name only. Great design for static shooting but won't help much if you're walking or running.

  For the basic design like this I personally believe you're much better off buying a cheap Chinese version. eBay has them from $50 upwards and the principle and outcome is eseentially the same.

  Remember, you can't see your rig on screen, so you're always better off spending money on a better camera, not the rig. The savings would buy another battery, lens or SD card.

  Here's one version (different style) I designed and built for about $10.

  http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Easyrig-Overhead-Ca…

  There's many more on Instructables if you're a bit handy.

  • 

    raybies on 29/11/2013 - 21:20

    Seriously? Who's going to walk in the street with that????

    • 

      Icedvovo on 04/12/2013 - 12:42

      Designed for standing still. It reduces muscle strain by taking the weight away from your arm and putting it down on your hips. They use them a lot at sports events.

  • 

    Shwayne on 01/12/2013 - 20:32

    A camera rig has nothing to do with a Stedicam, what on earth…

    • 

      Icedvovo on 04/12/2013 - 12:44

      Just FYI. Meh.

      The Merlin isn't really a 'steadicam' as such. A REAL steadicam takes the weight away from your arms. These make it worse by adding weight.

• 

  Icedvovo on 29/11/2013 - 17:05

  FYI: Minimum shipping on this item from the US to Australia is US$75.

• 

  raybies on 29/11/2013 - 21:19

  +2

  I bought an ebay chinese one… $180 steady as she goes; sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7W4mx1Jh54&hd=1

  BTW: When I was looking, the Merlin was ~$500.

  • 

    Ravine on 01/12/2013 - 14:19

    Nice video but you still need to work on your technique. Tilting all over the place. These steadycams take months and months of practice to get right. I bought one and realised that I do not have the patience to learn the proper hand control.