Balancing a Steadicam Merlin with a Sony HDR-SR1 camcorder to eliminate pendulum motion

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2010Steadi-Newbies forum

16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

The pendulum effect during standing or panning motions typically indicates improper gimbal tension and can be reduced by loosening the gimbal about three full rotations.
For a Sony HDR-SR1 without accessories and with the LCD panel closed, effective balance can be achieved using mounting hole H, positioning the front edge of the mounting plate at zero, and setting the arc distance to 13 inches from where the weights meet the spar to the back edge of the mounting plate.
Weight distribution should include one finish weight at the spar caliper and one start weight plus one finish weight at the lower end of the spar when balancing this camera model.
Opening the LCD panel significantly changes the balance point and requires readjustment of both trim controls to maintain stable operation.
The camera weight and vertical center of gravity in the cookbook specifications may differ from individual units and should be verified by direct measurement.

This setup was documented for the Sony HDR-SR1 specifically without any add-on accessories, using a standard-size battery, and with the LCD panel in the closed position.
The configuration instructions reference specific measurements and weight positions that may not apply to other camera models or when accessories are attached to the camcorder.
Small adjustments to trim controls have significant effects on stability, requiring practical testing and repeated tuning to achieve reliable results.
The reference to the Merlin Formula sheet and cookbook specifications does not fully explain all terms and parameters needed for complete setup, particularly regarding nose weight and the CASE options.