panohead
Posts: 24
Location: Canada
Registered: 27 Nov 2007
|
Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 19 May 2008 at 10:17 GMT
|
|
|
Do you reccomend the Nodal ninja 5 over the NN3 and what are the major differences?
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
mhc1
Posts: 188
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Registered: 29 Dec 2005
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 19 May 2008 at 10:37 GMT
|
|
Hm differences you can see on their website.
NN5 is more precise and has a longer (higher) vertical arm. So it fits for bigger cams.
NN3 is a little smaller - you can´t get zenith shot 100% with cams like Nikon D80 / Canon 40D because the cam scratches the central srew. If cable connected - not even possible when lossening the screw.
But for Sigma 8 mm (or even lesser ) there is no need for a 90° up-shot.
Another differnece is the price.
You should look at this one too:
tinyurl.com/6eulkl
ciao
mike
www.360de.de
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
mskp
Posts: 163
Location:
Registered: 19 Oct 2006
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 19 May 2008 at 13:17 GMT
|
|
Hi, maybe my settings are wrong (I do not think so, because of my results in PtGui, at least not so bad) but I can shoot 90º up with no problems using the Nikon D80 on a NN3. Even with the remote cable connected it works.
Regards, Martin
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Terrywoodenpic
Posts: 82
Location: Saddleworth, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Jul 2006
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 19 May 2008 at 15:41 GMT
|
|
Both the NN3ll and the NN5 are excellent.
It depends on your camera and lens which you need.
You would do well to ask on their own forum, about the fit of your proposed outfit.
www.nodalninja.com/forum/
The NN3ll is small tough and light and suits most smaller DSLR's
The NN5 is stronger heavier and more expensive, and will hold even the largest and heaviest DSLR, battery, and with very large lenses.
The actual quality of workmanship is the same.
The NN3ll is easier to pack but the NN5 will give you more growing room for new equipment.
The NN range gives an upgrade path so that special heads etc can always be added later.( no need to start from scratch)
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
panohead
Posts: 24
Location: Canada
Registered: 27 Nov 2007
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 19 May 2008 at 16:52 GMT
|
|
Thanx folks. always get a great response on this forum 
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Skridlov
Posts: 127
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 12 Nov 2007
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 19 May 2008 at 17:18 GMT
|
|
Hi there.
I am using the NN3 with a D200. This camera is too heavy for it and causes significant lean compared to the level setting. Additionally the original yaw axis tensioning arrangement is absolutely useless. I understand that this is now replaced by a replacement part that works properly - which victims of the original design error are expected to purchase.
Against that its light and compact and (compared to the competition) reasonably priced. Make sure your camera isn't too heavy.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Nick Fan
[NodalNinja]
Posts: 278
Location: Hong Kong
Registered: 26 May 2006
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 2:52 GMT
|
|
Skridlov said: Hi there.
I am using the NN3 with a D200. This camera is too heavy for it and causes significant lean compared to the level setting. Additionally the original yaw axis tensioning arrangement is absolutely useless. I understand that this is now replaced by a replacement part that works properly - which victims of the original design error are expected to purchase.
Victims????? It is my first time I heard this description! How come my happy customers/ reviewers in the past years become victims? How come an improved design makes the old design an error?
I offered you refund for your NN3 even after the return period. Why not just return it and use the money to buy the perfect pano head you need? My offer is still valid. Contact me off-line.
Nick
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Macro
Posts: 35
Location: Korea, Republic of
Registered: 5 Sep 2006
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 5:29 GMT
|
|
Skridlov said: Hi there.
I am using the NN3 with a D200. This camera is too heavy for it and causes significant lean compared to the level setting. Additionally the original yaw axis tensioning arrangement is absolutely useless. I understand that this is now replaced by a replacement part that works properly - which victims of the original design error are expected to purchase.
Against that its light and compact and (compared to the competition) reasonably priced. Make sure your camera isn't too heavy.
Buying an NN3 MKII Rotator for $39.95 seems like a reasonable price to upgrade from an NN3 to an NN3 MKII. It's a mechanical rotator with detents for only $39.95 Many generic camera plates cost more than $40.
Nick deserves lots of credit for keeping original NN customers in mind. After all, he is offering a very reasonable upgrade path. Manufacturers only interested in their profits would force us to buy a complete new head.
If a D200 is too heavy for your NN3, considering buying an NN5L. I use one and it works very well. Also, NN3's bring great prices on ebay. Sell it, or Nick has offered a full refund. Take the refund and buy an NN5, you're out almost nothing.
Not many manufacturers provide this level of support to guarantee complete customer satisfaction. Check around. Nick, Bill, and the other NN resellers are very quick to resolve any concerns.
David
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Ken Warner
Posts: 356
Location: Mammoth Lakes, United States
Registered: 14 Aug 2004
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 7:14 GMT
|
|
Macro said:
If a D200 is too heavy for your NN3, considering buying an NN5L. I use one and it works very well. Also, NN3's bring great prices on ebay. Sell it, or Nick has offered a full refund. Take the refund and buy an NN5, you're out almost nothing.
David
No crap! Used ones sell for more than the new price on eBay.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Hans Nyberg
Posts: 824
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 8:38 GMT
updated: 20 May 2008 at 8:41 GMT
|
|
Skridlov said: Hi there.
I am using the NN3 with a D200. This camera is too heavy for it and causes significant lean compared to the level setting. Additionally the original yaw axis tensioning arrangement is absolutely useless. I
Skridlov
I have used my 5D (895gr - D200 920gr) with the NN3 and there is no problem.
As far as I know you use the very light 10,5mm and you should have no problem at all.
If the rotator stays perfectly level or not has no real influence on a pano optimized optimally.
I can easy do perfectly levelled panoramas without need for levelling in PTGui. You just need to make sure the first anchor image is level and you have to do that by levelling the camera, not the panohead. For that you need a leveller which you can apply on the camera and you need to do some tests. The problem with almost all panoheads, maybe exept for the newer 360 precission is that they do not have a perfect mounting mechanism for mounting the camera exactly the same way each time.
The new camera plate from NodalNinja is great but you have to let it stay on the camera. You have to understand that a change in pitch of 0.2 degrees is enough to get your panorama not levelled without doing it in the software.
Can you mount the camera on the arm with 0,2 degree accuracy each time?
No thats impossible to do without a tool like a level as I use.
I use a card level bought here "Acrylic spirit level in card size"
www.fine-tools.com/level.htm
And I just modified mine by glueing a couple of extra ones on the back side which makes it possible to set the camera at -10 or +5 degrees
Hans
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Andrey Ilyin
Posts: 565
Location: Moscow,
Registered: 8 Dec 2004
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 12:18 GMT
|
|
If you are going to shoot sphericals only using fisheye lenses and small DSLR's - go for NN3 MkII
If you plan to use cameras with built in battery arms and/or shoot murtyrow panos - get NN5.
I've got both 
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Terrywoodenpic
Posts: 82
Location: Saddleworth, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Jul 2006
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 13:15 GMT
|
|
We NN3 users are not Victims of any design error.
Except for those perhaps who have four thumbs, the previous locking system was one of the best adjustable solutions on the market. I for one never had a problem with it.
However the new rotator is better in a number of ways and not just in the locking mechanism, It is a very clever use of a bearing and detent system.
Nicks offer to you is generous in the extreme and is more than you could reasonably expect from any one else.
If I were you I would Take him up on the offer.
You simply don't know when you are well off.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
klausesser
Posts: 38
Location: Duesseldorf, Germany
Registered: 18 Feb 2008
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 19:42 GMT
|
|
Hi!
Are you using a battery grip? That may be a bit too much - but the NN3 is a great tool, i mean! I used it for some months before i started to use a modified Manfrotto SPH for using heavy lenses. The NN3 didn´t ever produce inacceptable results.
Related to the price and the size and the ability to collapse it and let it constantly stay in the camera-case it´s really unbeatable i mean!
best, Klaus
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
michael medina
Posts: 269
Location: portland, oregon, United States
Registered: 27 Jan 2008
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 20 May 2008 at 20:34 GMT
|
|
|
i've heard this complaint a number of times recently (d200 vs nn3), but i've yet to see really any test shots, proof, or quantifiable evidence. i'd like to see some (only because i'm curious) because imo even with it twisted, it should still stitch if set up correctly.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Bill Bailey
[NodalNinja]
Posts: 414
Location: Phoenix in the Arizona Desert, United States
Registered: 27 Jan 2005
|
Re: Pan Head Suggestions?
Posted: 21 May 2008 at 4:00 GMT
|
|
Skridlov said: Hi there.
I am using the NN3 with a D200. This camera is too heavy for it and causes significant lean compared to the level setting. Additionally the original yaw axis tensioning arrangement is absolutely useless. I understand that this is now replaced by a replacement part that works properly - which victims of the original design error are expected to purchase.
Against that its light and compact and (compared to the competition) reasonably priced. Make sure your camera isn't too heavy.
Hi Skridlov,
I use NN3 on a D200 and D300 without problem. Those that experience difficulty usually just have the lower rotator incorrectly tightened which causes the lean and very "easily" fixed. NN3's sold before Feb 2008 use a lock screw in the center of the lower rotator. NN3 MKII did away with this. The older NN3's still work just fine but you need to review #10 on the FAQ page of our website for the quick fix: www.nodalninja.com/faq_s.html
This should address your issues - if it doesn't and you didn't buy your NN second hand you have a full 2 year warranty that allows us to fix it free if needed.
Keep us posted on if this fix does the trick.
Thanks
Bill
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
