Steadicam Merlin Setup And Operation Manual page 4

Basic Set-up Part One
A letter from Steadicam Inventor, Garrett Brown
Dear Friends,
You are about to have a two-part experience. Even
this manual is in two parts. First you will go through
the Setup of your particular camera on the Steadicam
Merlin — think of this as a brief game of weights and
balances — after which you will progress to the fun
part: Operating!
Steadicam is a compelling and evolving art, and the
Merlin is a true instrument – fully as capable as its big
brothers in the movie world. Between the DVD and this manual, you'll find everything you need
to get started; and a bit later, as your skills develop, you may find it worthwhile to have a second
look through the 'Operating' section for info and tips you may have missed.
Meanwhile, for those familiar with the Steadicam JR, here's a bit of history: the original 1990
prototype was made of aircraft aluminum, the lightest, stiffest, most precise 'JR' ever. Until now.
The Steadicam Merlin™ with its new Folding-Caliper hinge, is that legendary, first-ever,
camcorder stabilizer, reborn! Ultra-light, ultra-rigid aluminum construction permits moving
shots at unprecedented focal lengths, and the Folding-Caliper extends and retracts to balance
cameras weighing from one-half pound to five pounds, yet automatically seeks the compact
folded position. I hope that you will really enjoy owning and using the Steadicam Merlin, and I
look forward to seeing some of the results – in sample reels, documentaries, commercials, home
movies and feature films!
Good luck and have fun.
,
Garrett Brown
Philadelphia, 2005
www.garrettcam.com