There are many errors that can be done making your diy steadicam.
Mainly they happen because s.b. decides that can copy the Merlin design without fully understanding what he is doing.Yes its only a stick with weights but... The worst is that they intend to sell their products.
here i will make a small list of the common misinterpretations.
1.the gimbal
-nope, the mini tripod is not good, usable but not perfect
-the trax joint is cheapo, not precise, i dont recommend it.
-yes , the Merlin has the best joint for the moment
-yes, maybe the Onfa u joint coupled with 2 bearing maybe is better than the merlin design
-no to rod ends and so on...
-A BIG NO- the gimbal should be THE CLOSER TO THE CAMERA THE BETTER. longer distance=longer arm=more weight to balance. Thanks Pythagoras!
2.The Glidecam the Flycam and so on.
-their design is not so good. as the handle is not on the axis of gravity to hold them is heavier, to balance them is more difficult and the result is not the same. believe me in this and save yourselves some money
3. His video is very nice. His product is good.
- well, wake up. if he is using fisheye or ultra wide lens of course his video seems smooth. make them put a nifty fifty and see the result. thats what i am talking about
MY NEXT PROJECT IS HOW TO MAKE A BETTER CHEAP GYRO STABILIZED HAND HOLDABLE STEADIY CAM UNIT UNDER 300EUR HAVING IN MIND THAT THE COMMERCIAL ONES ARE 2000 AND ABOVE SO PLEASE HELP ME RAISE SOME MONEY