Ian Stephenson
Posts: 1
Location: NJ, United States
Registered: 17 Aug 2006
|
Which head?
Posted: 28 Aug 2006 at 19:45 GMT
|
|
Hi,
I've been following some of the discussions about different heads.
I want to do 360x180 panos, and am wondering what a good head would be. I'm based in NJ, USA.
I'm getting a Canon 30D, probably with a Canon EF 15mm f2/8 fisheye (unless someone can persuade me to go non-fisheye, though I still want to avoid EF-S lenses so I can also get a 5D in future).
For the head I'm considering the Agnos MrotatorTCPShort, or possibly the NN3. NN3 isn't available until around mid-September, and I gather the Agnos would be the preferred option but it looks like I'd have to ship it from Italy.
360Precision is pricey and also ships from Europe, though it looks solid enough.
What do other photographers in the US use?
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
David Locke
Posts: 283
Location: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Registered: 12 May 2004
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 28 Aug 2006 at 21:50 GMT
|
|
Ive been using the NN3 for a couple of months now and love it. It's compact and light, which is what I need for my use. It's also inexpensive and well made with multirow compatibility. Their customer service can't be beat by anyone!
David
www.VirtualBigBend.com
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Terrywoodenpic
Posts: 84
Location: Saddleworth, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Jul 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 29 Aug 2006 at 10:11 GMT
|
|
A head will last many years.
a wait of two weeks for a NN3 is nothing.
It will take about that for anything.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Richard Latter
Posts: 12
Location: Flitwick, Bedfrodshire, United Kingdom
Registered: 17 Aug 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 29 Aug 2006 at 11:56 GMT
|
|
as someone else buying a head, does the NN3 come with everything or do you have to buy other bits aswell,
thanks Richard
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
rudders
Posts: 377
Location: North Yorkshire & Northern England, United Kingdom
Registered: 21 Aug 2005
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 29 Aug 2006 at 12:04 GMT
|
|
|
The head does come with eveything you need.. but you can buy extra detent plates. We use the NN3 with canon 350d's and can highly recommend it.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Terrywoodenpic
Posts: 84
Location: Saddleworth, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Jul 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 29 Aug 2006 at 20:01 GMT
|
|
If you want to do pictures single row landscape you need the T bracket.
It also lets you use the Bogum/manfrotto quick release.
a full set of extra detents are available but you need to work out if you want them.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Richard Latter
Posts: 12
Location: Flitwick, Bedfrodshire, United Kingdom
Registered: 17 Aug 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 30 Aug 2006 at 19:13 GMT
|
|
is there a head on sale that does not need extras, just set it up and works out of the box. 
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Roundshot
Posts: 83
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Registered: 27 Jul 2004
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 13:16 GMT
|
|
Hi,
please have a look to the KARLINE rodeon modular or ROUNDSHOT VR-Drive.
Frist is for a full automatic workflow - like a panoramic camera and good for your Canon EOS 30 D + lens!!!
Regards
Marc
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Smooth
Posts: 1468
Location: Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 31 Aug 2006 at 13:28 GMT
|
|
I'll throw in a vote for the Nodal Ninja 3 for price and usability. It is very hard to pass up. Even if it is classed only as your light weight travel panohead. That said it is very capable in all situations.
If you looking at spending more cash then the www.agnos.com MrotatorTCPS is the clear winner with it's sturdier construction and well respected Italian engineering. Also the fact you can value add to this series with multiple heads and with the release of the RingT and soon to be released add on options for this "T" series.
I'm sure you would be very happy with either of these makes and the service that both companies offer.
Regards, Smooth 
www.smooth360.com
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Richard Latter
Posts: 12
Location: Flitwick, Bedfrodshire, United Kingdom
Registered: 17 Aug 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 2 Sep 2006 at 8:40 GMT
|
|
Hi Guys thanks for the advice i will look at all of them, i was a bit worried that i would buy one, to find i could not use it with my camera/lens and have to buy another one, or loads of extra bits and would have been better buying the more expensive one in the firt place.
Thanks very much for your advice.
Richard 
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
redeye
Posts: 192
Location: Barnsley, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Mar 2005
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 2 Sep 2006 at 12:45 GMT
|
|
Hello Richard
I use a 360P but also have a NN2. It depends on your budget of course but Nick from NN and Bill in the USA are absolutely first class guys with a great product.
I'm in the UK - I will gladly send you my NN2 for you to have a look at and experiment with until your NN3 arrives.
Good luck..
Lee
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
John Houghton
Posts: 2308
Location: Hitchin, United Kingdom
Registered: 17 Jan 2005
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 2 Sep 2006 at 14:49 GMT
|
|
I, too, have been using a NN3 and I'm sure it will work well with the 30D + 15mm fisheye. According to the lens database at www.vrwave.com you would need to take 18 shots for a 360x180: 8 images every 45° at -30° pitch, 8 images every 45° at +30° pitch, plus nadir and zenith. For this format, you would need the additional detent plates, as the standard supplied one has 12 detents, which is no good for 8 around. Otherwise, no extras would be needed. I would say it's good value for money.
John
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Andrew Barnes
Posts: 2
Location: London, United Kingdom
Registered: 2 Sep 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 2 Sep 2006 at 17:20 GMT
|
|
The vrwave.com home page seems to have been hijacked by some Turkish hackers, but I think that the lens database page is still accessible here : vrwave.com/panoramic/photography/lens_database.ht....
For what it's worth, I have also just bought the Nodal Ninja 3 head. It's a lovely piece of kit - compact, but solidly made and well thought out. I would second John's suggestion and buy the extra detent plates as well.
Regards,
Andy
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
VRwave
Posts: 89
Location:
Registered: 19 Mar 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 2 Sep 2006 at 18:08 GMT
|
|
Andrew Barnes said: The vrwave.com home page seems to have been hijacked
I have a backup  ... but I can't restore anything until the hosting provider will fix this.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
nathanoj
Posts: 13
Location: Coolum, Australia
Registered: 16 Aug 2006
|
Re: Which head?
Posted: 4 Sep 2006 at 0:49 GMT
|
|
I don't see the KingPano head getting a mention. I just ordered one! eeeeeK!! Are there limitations I should be aware of?
Jon
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Prev
