The Merricam - No-Cost "Steadicam" DIY
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- Опубликовано: 29 июн 2009
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This video will show you my way of converting a tripod to a camera stabilizer (or "MerriCam") using only a screwdriver. I used the Sunpak Platinum Plus 7500 Pro tripod for this video, along with the Canon HV20. All demo shots were done with no practice.
This technique is not meant for very large or heavy cameras, but is ideal for consumer-sized camcorders and lighter DSLRs like the T3i and (maybe) 60D. 
Хобби
Will Merrick, saving videographers lifes since 2009
2021 still hero :)
That's too much power for one man to possess.
It would be awesome it you'd put that all in capital like this: THAT'S TOO MUCH POWER FOR ONE MAN TO POSSESS!!! (and cue dramatic BTTF music score).
+Evan Kaplan hahaha hell I almost shit my pants
Brilliant. An engineering genius at the beginning of the career.
man, I have like 10 years dealing with cam and tripods...and never even imagined to do that! you are a genious...! thanks so much!
6 years after the fact...GENIUS!! Thank you!!!!
just tried this, it works so well with my carbon fibre tripod and i don't have to unscrew anything
This has been by far the most useful DIY steadicam youtube video I have seen in months.
Good work
Great frikkin' idea! Thank you! You've got guys like me who have been shooting video for years--maybe since before you were born--who might know all the proper names for the tripod parts but have never thought to make a steadycam with this simple mod. Well done!
Genius! You've got 165 steady cam company's hating on you lol!
I was thinking the same thing. Nice job
A real steady cam will do much better and be smaller.
Coolshows101 and cost more than the tripod you already have at home. The tripod shown seems to be quite lightweighted. I use a Pentax K5 and a Manfrotto photo tripod with a ball head weighing 8lbs and it works quite well.The heavier the better ;-)
tubybubi
I realized that and have gotten a $20 tripod form Walmart and used that.
that's an awesome trick! now where's my tripod?..
wow, i just bought a cheap steadycam stick on ebay, bummer, this idea looks way better
I've watched hundred's of steady cam DIY vids and you have the best one yet
Saw this video way before Film Riot gave it proper attention, and now they've made me come back. Awesome stuff!
THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN ON HERE SINCE 2009 AND HAS OVER A MILLION VIEWS!!! WHY DID IT TAKE TIL 2016 FOR ME TO FIND THIS!?
You have renewed my faith in humanity.
After hrs spent on " let me see which is the best way to spend my money to buy a steadicam for my dlsr" I found your video : that's simply amazing and it works G R E A T . A lesson about how using our skills can help us to save money. Thanks from Italy , mate.
The best ever, I have been watching for days how to make a steadicam.
I'm so lucky that I have a broken tripot so I can use it. Many thanks
That's freaking awesome dude. Congrats
Extremely useful and just saved me 70 bucks! Thanks!!
BRO YOU'RE THE MAN! they don't teach you stuff like this in film school. I can't wait to try this out this summer.
This is literally one of the best things I have ever seen...this is really useful to me as a freshman in high school because I am looking into Audio/Visual as something to do with my life, and as of currently I have very few tools to help me practice these things while I am not at school. My only problem is...my tripod doesn't have a screw to unscrew, so I cannot un-attatch the leg to actually make it the steadicam. But if I acquire a new tripod, this is definetly something I will do! Thank you!
This is one of the nicest advices i ever saw on youtube/ the internet. Very helpful - and much easier to adjust than the expensive and small professional Rig i tried to use before - "Steadywonder". I wish there would be a possibility to give a Donation to your Film Companys Work, as gratitude for sharing this knownledge!
Can't wait to give this a try.
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+TheVegetarianBaker I'm doing it tomorrow. Can't wait :D
I agree! Video is well produced, excellent sound, instruction and narration. An excellent example of the kind of videos that make RUclips a treasure trove of information.
Terrific! Well designed and produced. You're a great instructor and narrator.
I respect you soo much for sharing this that I can't describe :O
your video shows up in 6:44 mark on the movie, "searching"
And the URL also appears in the movie "Run" by the same director.
Will Merrick edited both Searching and Run so that explains it.
@@LeviGenesove that's fun fact
Thanks so much. This is what I love. Filmmakers sharing their knowledge with each other. You made my day!
The best DIY video ever probably. Thanks for real dude. It's changed my life
this is totally life hack.....
Amazing, it would be better for me to find your vids before i bought the steadycam rig tho...
Wow, thanks, most ingenious. I especially like the shots in front of the mirror, showing us how to use it, and its so steady. Great job, and thanks for posting this!
Building steadicam systems is something i find fun to do.
But this is an excellent piece of knowledge for when one simply don't have specialized gear and still want a stable shot.
Thanks man!
This URL was used in the movie 'Run' on Netflix
haha I also did it
The youtube web address in "run" (on Hulu) in the beginning of the movie when the daughter is looking at a Washington State video actually leads to this video! I typed it in out of curiosity. Not sure if you know that or not :)
after 6 years, totally AWESOME. Trying it right now.
Brilliant use and wonderful balance flexibility. As with ALL Go Pro equipment, the effectiveness is based on HOW you plan to use the tool. Well done Sir, Thank you
Run.
so awesome! but I attempted to do this on my tripod but it had no screws, just a riveted bolt so no DIY steadicam
instead of the screw find the stud..... and push it out with a pen.... Then try the legs. If they stop , then find some wire because i snapped the leg off my tripod and then wound it up with duct tape and garden wire................ It works as a diy steadicam shoulder rig and allinone tripod
If you're super handy with a drill or rotary cutter and can find a suitable replacement skinny nut and bolt, you can drill or grind the rivet head down and remove it.
Adrn Ncso Dont alter your tripod! thats just SILLY. add another pole. its easier, more secure, better results.
Brilliant Idea! Plus it is field portable and STILL functions as a tripod. Excellent work.
Amazing modification and results. Thanks for posting.
I am one of the curious people who researched the run url
your video URL it's in the movie "Run" around the 8-minute mark. weird.
oh and you're the editor of the movie. now makes sense.
Whatever works to get those smooth steady shots! Awesome!
Sweet. Nicely done. I love how steady your shots are.
Well aren't you just a fuckin genius. Puttin Glide cam out of business here
How would you focus the camera when both of your hands are occupied?
With a lanc remote. Or you could put it on autofocus
Yeah, because auto-focus is notoriously a great setting to use. I'd rather not have a 'steadicam,' and have proper focus and DOF control.
If you use a wide lens and close the aperture as much as possible, you can get away with no focusing at all
Agreed with Dirk, it's best to maximize your depth of field so you don't need to adjust the focus. Since you will be in movement, any passing trees, people, etc. might confuse your autofocus.
Luckily my camera has tracking focus
Really creative. Glad you put those shots in at the end to show how you used it. Thanks!
Oh my gosh, this is so good! It's so steady! Amazing tutorial.
i was watching the movie run on netflix and this was what came up when i typed a url in the movie
Where is THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON??? 😭😭
I'll certanly get one tripod disassembled in the nearest future! That's the most effective DIY steadycam I've ever seen. Nothing else matters! Thanks a lot for your video!
oh my god this video has completely changed my world. thank you thank you thank you. just did some tests with my tripod and i am blown away!!! and, thank you.
kerbal space music
Heap!
that's genius but still very big :)
So this is absolutely brilliant. Outstanding idea.
WOOOOOOOW!!!!! You should receive an award for this!!!
As brilliant as it is simple. First video I've ever "liked", and only the second time I've left a comment. Truly great idea. I plan on trying it.
You are a genius! after seeing retail versions for several hundred dollars and DIY for tens of dollars, I now use my tripod for free!
Thanks!
Ok, just tried this and it REALLY does work! Amazing outside-the-box thinking that saves a ton of money. It may look a little awkward but the end result is a pretty nice video. HUGE thanks to William for sharing his creativity.
really calming voice. you are a natural narrator
WOW! This is probably the best 0 cost steadycam video yet! It makes you think, "Now why didn't I do that!!???" Cause you know more than likely everyone who has a camera also got a tri pod with it... Thanks!
seriously. props for sharing this with people.
Brilliant simplicity.
This is an awesome idea Will Merrick.
Your voice is very calming. Thanks for the video.
Will Merrick you are a genius! This is something I can do this second and I don't need to get any parts.
OMG!! Your surroundings are amazing!!
You're brilliant. I am just starting to experiment with ways to hold a camera steady. Very excited to try this. Thank you!
Great job and smooth editing. Well done.
Very awesome, as it is sometimes said: "Necessity is the mother of invention", as I could tell from your video you are a young man and instead of insisting your parents buy you a steadycam, you took what you already had, imaged it configured differently and "Voila" a steadycam. By the way the opening shots were great. I applauded you.
Just made one of these. IT WORKS PERFECTLY!! I'll be taking my rig everywhere from now on!
Btw I made one little adjustment. I took a bolt and two bits of wood and clamped in a 1lb led weight for counter balance. The results are amazing!
this is the best use of bathroom photos ever! Thanks this video will help me loads!
Sweet! Love the simplicity. Thanks dude. Can't wait to try it first thing tomorrow!
While I'm sure a few people had thought of this idea before, at the time I posted it I could find no other documentation of it on the internet. I came up with it on my own, without any outside influence. Also, I now live in LA and spend most of my time working on films, and have never found anyone who has known this technique 'for years.' But if you did invent this before me, I applaud you!
Something you did 11 years ago, is helping new filmmakers today and tomorrow. 👍✨
i been trying to think of all sorts of home made steady cams and have not thought of this. thanksssss
Great trick with a tri-pod. I'm really excited to try it now. The footage looks good.
Yeah it works, i just done this technique with my tripod for my DSLR works like a charm, you just have to get the balance right due to the camera being heavy so a metal tripod works best, or even for ultimate steadyness use an old telescope tripod i used mine and it works better, get a good work out holding for ages too! Hope this helps.
I never thought of doing this. Awesome tip!
Brilliant. Much easier than the way I knew which involves mounting the camera to the middle of a 2X4 and having an operator on each end.
Quite ingenious...well done. Results look very smooth / professional. Great work. Tks for posting the vid, very informative. Cheers, Gary (Australia).
I'd just like to say thanks for this, it was the sole piece of equipment that helped make the difference between my first commissioned piece looking amateur or Professional. Cheers!
You Sir, are a genius!!
Had a spare tripod as one of the leg extender catches had broken.
In 3 minutes I now have a steadicam :)
5 STARS!!
thank you so much for this! i am merely a recent high school grad searching for a job, so this is fantastic.
dude!! This was absolutely amazing!!! Thank you for sharing. I've been using my tripod as a steadicam as well but not EVEN setup as awesome as yours. I'm totally converted now though. Gonna be spreading this treasure to all those I know. kudos. GREAT video! Thanx again!
Very nice! It's always nice to run into helpful tips like this that saves money. It's easy and it really works. Thanks!
If anyone with a DSLR is curious, I have that exact same tripod and I tested it on my Canon T3i and it works amazingly! I even used it as a dolly and it worked!
Great idea,never thought of it before got to try this right away.thx4 this wonderful demonstration.
I'm really happy for having found this... thank you, sir!
You have a great idea, Thanks for your time to show us how it works, Good Job!
Fantastic. You just saved me either 500 bucks or a workshop headache. Thanks!
OMG...you just broke the gimbal industry! Thank you for this!
Happen to run across this video... I have that tri-pod...very creative and thanks for your video!!!
Impressive work, awesome job
oh thank god you solved my problem, been searching for "how to make a camera stabilizer" and i never thought of doing that! :O
This is so brilliant. Love it.
Oh man, this is the best. Merricam. Great idea!
Great idea and impressive reults too. I get some pretty steady shots using my monopod upside down and then flipping the video vertically in my edit program.
Great ideas are often so simple.....Thanks Will I am off now to try this out.
How ingenious! I'm very impressed. Thanks for a great video...
It can also be balanced by cranking the elevation of the head back down a bit. Great idea, Thanks!