Steadicam Merlin 2 - 8. Hand Positions; Two-Handed Operating Technique; One-Handed Operating Technique

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8. Hand Positions
Two-handed operating position
This is the smoothest, easiest and most precise
way to operate the Steadicam Merlin 2. The force
to support it is isolated from the camera and the
force to aim it can be almost non-existent. The
camera is free to rotate on excellent bearings.
What’s more, it is highly inert! The combination
will provide you with an entirely new sensation
as you orient an object that acts as if it were
oating in space. (Ignore the weight and you can
almost believe it!)
One hand (your choice) holds the Grip and
supports all the weight. You can’t pan or tilt with
that hand and it has no inuence on the camera’s
angle unless you bump the stage or upper spar.
This is the hand that ‘Flies’ your Merlin 2
through space and avoids contact with anything
(legs, elbows, clothing, furniture!) that could
disrupt your shot.
The thumb and two ngertips of the other hand
lightly touch the Guide Ring and the Tongue
when you want to change where it’s pointing,
and otherwise more or less leave it alone.
In other words: barely touch it as long as the
framing is correct and use minimal force to re-
aim as necessary.
Two-handed support
Try not to let your operating hand touch your
support hand unless you need help holding
up a heavy camera. In that case, you can hook
the pinkie of your guiding hand in between the
ngers of your gripping hand, (like a modied
golf grip), and help support it with the operating
hand, while still maintaining that light and
isolated nger contact on the Guide.
Inertia
Remember that the Merlin 2 is both inert and
free to rotate. This means that you must think
ahead if you want it to start panning and begin
early, with the smallest force possible. Also
remember to stop the pan – the Merlin 2 obeys
several of Newton’s laws, such as the one about
“remaining in motion.”
Use your thumb and nger like a drum brake
to stop a pan, releasing the pressure the instant
the camera is aimed where you want. Let your
wrist bend a little to stay out of the way of the
spars. The inertia of the Merlin 2 makes it hard
to react instantly – try to anticipate your moves.
One-handed operating position
Slide up your hand on the Grip, so that your
second nger is just below the notch.
Hold the Grip strongly with you second, third
and little nger. Your thumb and rst nger can
just reach the Guide and contact it lightly and
intermittently.
Use your entire arm as a crank when you
pan, while you intermittently accelerate the
Guide with your ngers.
Tilt by keeping your forenger crossways as
shown so it won’t also induce unwanted pan
rotation, and use your entire arm as a lever,
Hand Positions
NOTE: If your
Merlin doesn’t
feel right, or
you are having
trouble at this
point, please
reference the
Troubleshooting
section on p 42.