Tiffen Steadicam Merlin

[Neilmac50]

I am using a Nikon D3s plus Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens along with the Zakuto Z-finder 2.5 for video work in Malawi.I am considering the Steadicam Merlin to aid my filming as opposed to using a tripod because some of the filming involves being in with lions who do not seem to like seeing a tripod near them! I'm drawn to the Merlin for its lightness as it will have to travel with me from England via air to the reserve where I work.My question is that I see its maximum weight limit is 5 pounds and I estimate that my gear will weigh an additional half pound over that,does anyone have any experience with this piece of equipment and are there any similar alternatives? Thanks in advance for any of your replies.Neil

[rpcrowe]

I used a professional cinematography Steadicam in my days as a motion picture photographer and it was excellent. It was also big and bulky. The Merlin Stabilizer is smaller, less bulky and could be traveled with more easily. It is fairly expensive at $800 USA price but, certainly less costly than the professional cinematography model.

There are other less expensive stabilizers available. I cannot comment on them except to provide links to them...

http://www.amazon.com/Syl-3000-Stead.../dp/B004T4XR1C

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-U-flyca...item5d319d05aa

http://opteka.com/svex.aspx

Not to hijack your thread but, I wonder if a stabilizer such as one of the above would also assist a photographer when shooting stills, especially with longer focal length lenses???