Merlin Quick Start Guide
NOTE: There are three ways to change the drop time.
One is to adjust the arc.
The second is to add or remove weights. If you cannot get the drop time right by moving the arc up or
down, and the drop time is off dramatically, then add more weight to make the drop time faster or take
off weight to make the drop time slower. Then readjust the arc.
The third is by making a fine adjustment to the guide ring once you get the drop time close. Press the
guide latch button on the front of the guide ring. This will allow you to rotate the guide ring. Clockwise
makes the drop time faster and counterclockwise makes the drop time slower. Since this is a fine ad-
justment, it may take more than one turn to see a difference. Do not unscrew the guide ring all the way.
10 - The last step is to make sure you are dynamically balanced. Check the drop time again and
make sure the lower spar weights and front finish weight move together. If the bottom weights move
dramatically first, the rig is back heavy, so move the plate forward slightly and then re-trim. If the front
weight moves dramatically first, the rig is front heavy, so move the plate back and re-trim. Do not drive
yourself crazy with this. It does not have to be perfect. You just do not want dramatic front or back
movement. Once you have checked this, fine tune your trim adjustments to make sure you are level.
If the drop time is right, the Merlin will do its job. Anything else is operator error.
To limit the possibly of operator error, here are some tips.
By nature, when people walk, they shift their weight from left to right, which can cause sway.
To limit the effect, try this.
A. Pretend you have a glass of water on your head and you cannot spill a drop. This will keep
the core of your body still.
B. When you walk, put your heel down first, then roll your feet to your toes. If you have been
trained as a handheld camera operator and you have a habit of keeping your knees bent to
aid in stabilizing the camera, change back to walking upright and relaxed. Also, do not walk
sideways. Walk forward and backward and swivel the camera using the guide ring above the
gimbal of the rig to keep your subject in frame.
C. Use two hands. It is much easier and more accurate than one handed. If you are right handed,
the right hand holds the handle, the left hand is the index finger on the front of the guide ring
above the gimbal and the thumb is on the back of the guide ring. YOU NEED TO USE A
VERY, VERY, VERY LIGHT TOUCH WITH YOUR LEFT HAND. Do not steer the rig. Let it do
its job. Your left hand is just there to help guide it or keep it on your subject as you move.
D. Relax your body, arm and wrist. Try not to be rigid. Let the Steadicam be a natural extension
of you.
If you use a zoom, just zoom, then use fore-and-aft trim to get it back to balance. If you change
lenses and the lens is close to the same weight, again just use fore-and-aft trim to get back to
balance. If the lens weighs significantly more or less, you will add or take off weights or move the
arc up or down to rebalance for the correct drop time. Once your drop time is close after you change
lenses, you can also make a fine adjustment by rotating the guide ring as noted in #9 above.
Remember: This is an acquired skill, but the first day using the Merlin you will get better results than
anything you could do handheld and you will get better every time you use it.
The Tiffen Company, 90 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788
1-800-645-2522 • 631-273-2500 • tiffen.com
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