The good news is you have delirium

As you know, I was in Orlando last week for WEVA Expo ‘08. While the seminars are certainly the focus of the Expo, and the reason we all go, there is also a terrific trade show going on at the same time.

Vendors from all the big companies are there, including Panasonic, Sony, Canon, JVC and more. There was a guy there from Steadicam (a division of Tiffen) who was demonstrating the Merlin.

I had to talk to this guy.

I told him that I tried adjusting (aka “trimming”) the instrument for quite some time, but couldn’t quite get it. He told me that the only way I could balance the HVX200 would be with one additional middle weight (there are three weight classes: starter, middle, finish).

Even though the Merlin “Cookbook” says you can balance the camera if you trim properly, he was convinced it could only be done by adding another middle weight.

Well, I spent $800 on this thing, I’m not backing out now over one weight.

I thought it would cost around $20 (everything in video production is way overpriced), but I was relieved (and shocked!!) to discover B & H sells them for only $5.95.

So I’ve already ordered it. In fact, it should arrive sometime tomorrow.

Once I’ve got it balanced, I plan to post some test footage.