Steadicam Merlin Setup And Operation Manual page 19

Attaching the camera to the Dovetail Plate
Because the center-of-gravity of each type of camera is different, their positioning on the Stage will
vary. Gross positioning of the camera above the Gimbal is accomplished by the proper choice of
mounting hole. (Fine positioning is accomplished with the fore-and-aft and side-to-side trim knobs.)
Consult your settings from the Online Cookbook to find
the correct mounting hole on the
camera, identified alphabetically, from A to O.
Note it here: Hole
Examine the fifteen mounting holes on the Dovetail.
Directly in front of each is a smaller hole for the
Locating Pin. Circle the suggested hole with a grease
pencil or other marker. Be sure the Dovetail Plate is
oriented so that the long flat side will be toward the lens
of your camera.
Locating Pin
Identify the
Dovetail
will hold it to the
the underside of the small hole, forward of the selected
mounting hole and thread on the Locating Pin from the
top. Tighten gently with a small flat-head screwdriver.
Dovetail Plate
Hold the
Locating Pin
camera, align the
camera's Locating Pin hole, and insert and tighten the
Mounting Screw.
camera
Stage Position Scale
Note the
which will indicate the position on the Stage for the
Dovetail Plate.
Dovetail Plate
for your
and the small screw that
Plate. Insert the screw in
against the underside of your
correctly in your
on the top of the Stage
Basic Set-up
1