Smooth
Posts: 3774
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 at 11:20 GMT
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While the Aussie Dollar is holding it's own against the World market I thought it may be the right time to grab a Roundshot VR Drive.
www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/application/d4...
Where is the best place to purchase for an Australian? (Customer service and price).
What other bits are required aside from the Drive itself? I.E: Cables, Adapter to NN5 etc?
Anyone who actually has experience with this unit (meaning they own one or sell them), your advice and experience would be greatly appreciated.
Alternatives worth looking at that perhaps I don't know about?
Regards, Smooth 
www.smoth360.info
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mediavets
Posts: 1980
Location: Isleham, Cambs., United Kingdom
Registered: 8 Feb 2008
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Smooth
Posts: 3774
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 at 14:44 GMT
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Hi Andrew,
Thank you for the input.
Really I'm feel I'm after a tubular style that can be used on a Monopod/Pole etc.
Always interesting though to see what's on offer.
Some of the prices look like they inserted random telephone numbers though!
Regards, Smooth
www.smooth360.info
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mediavets
Posts: 1980
Location: Isleham, Cambs., United Kingdom
Registered: 8 Feb 2008
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 at 15:52 GMT
updated: 14 Nov 2009 at 15:54 GMT
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Smooth said: Hi Andrew,
Thank you for the input.
Really I'm feel I'm after a tubular style that can be used on a Monopod/Pole etc.
Regards, Smooth
www.smooth360.info
Not sure that Roundshot VR is ideal for pole panos - although the form factor looks good - as it seems to offer very little in way of remote control capability.
www.roundshot.ch/documents/Roundshot_VR_Drive_Ins...
And it seems quite expensive, to me anyway, for a single axis mototrised head too.
Andrew
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bigwade
Posts: 826
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Registered: 19 Oct 2005
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 at 17:02 GMT
updated: 14 Nov 2009 at 17:26 GMT
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Hey Smooth,
search for Seitz on this forum..
Yes it can be used on poles with radio control.
Making your own cables is a money saver.
Seitz is never cheap but it's a very nice and stable rotator and is worth the investment.
btw it can be used only straight up, NOT horizontal !!
Paid about 1100 euro's for it some years ago.
grtz
Frank
btw read this posting from the first and only Wim 
nodalninja.com/forum/index.php?topic=110.0
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Harold
Posts: 119
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Registered: 1 May 2008
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 14 Nov 2009 at 17:56 GMT
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I bought a Seitz Roundshot VR Drive last year, after seeing it in action at Jook Leung's Maine workshop.
It's very well made---robust and precision machined. It comes with a 1.6 metre wired remote cable. Included also is a drive-to-camera control cable, for whatever model camera you specify at purchase.
The Drive programs very easily. It can stop-and-shoot at programmed intervals, or spin continuously, while you rapid-fire the camera, using very high shutter speeds to freeze rotation movement. The newest model also allows you to remotely control or delay each advance/shoot in a sequence, very handy if you're waiting for a moving object to get in a better position, before you fire the camera.
The built-in rechargeable battery seems to last forever.
Wireless remote control is not offered by Seitz. I built my own wireless remote, using a third party wireless remote, cable, connectors, and a wiring diagram (supplied by a very helpful and knowledgeable forum member).
I carry the VR Drive with my other photo equipment all the time. I've used it for (connected) monopole pole panos, table panos, and in tight spots where there's only room for the camera/Drive, and not for me.
The unit can be bought with a Seitz pano bracket, or without. The bracket is also high quality and can be used for multi-row panos. I prefer to use the Drive with ring style pano heads for single row panos. I bought a very nice adapter from MK Panorama which allows me to attach any head/bracket to the drive.
I bought my drive from a dealer in Montreal, Canada.
camtecphoto.com/english/home_eng.html
The unit is sent to Seitz in Switzerland, if service is needed. Turnaround is quick. I've never had to send it for service. The thing is built like a tank.
It's fun to use, and nice to have.
Harold
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badders
Posts: 384
Location: East Kilbride, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Dec 2007
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 at 14:44 GMT
updated: 15 Nov 2009 at 14:44 GMT
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Smooth said: Really I'm feel I'm after a tubular style that can be used on a Monopod/Pole etc.
Hi Smooth,
We've got a customer using this unit for vehicle interiors. It's very well made. Only possible issue could be the weight of the unit when mounted. You can set a start delay to allow you to activate the unit then raise it on the pole before the shots start. Presume you're going to use a lens ring mount on the pole?
Andrew Baddeley
www.360tacticalvr.com
stores.ebay.co.uk/360tacticalvr
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Smooth
Posts: 3774
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 at 15:23 GMT
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Firstly thank you for those who have replied. Your insight via experience is most appreciated.
badders said: Presume you're going to use a lens ring mount on the pole?
Yes, I can use ring or traditional panoheads (it's not like I'm short on them!).
My thoughts are to be able to use this in multiple situations, not just on a Monopod or pole. At $2000+ USD delivered I certainly want to be able to justify the outlay. I'm glad to hear that these are well made. Considering the cost is equivocal to that of a pretty good camera body I want to make sure it is all it's cracked up to be.
My only issue now is where to purchase from.
Harold, you mention your friend in Canada though I can't find any info on their website?
Maybe I will have to purchase direct from Seitz? I'm surprised you don't offer them Andrew (or do you?).
I also would have thought that there would be an alternative in a similar design by somebody by now....
Seems too me if the price was a little keener more would part with the cash to grab hold of one.
Regards, Smooth
www.smooth360.info
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Harold
Posts: 119
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Registered: 1 May 2008
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bigwade
Posts: 826
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Registered: 19 Oct 2005
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 at 16:10 GMT
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Summer 2007 I paid 999 euro ex vat for the drive only (without cables!!) at All4 in the Netherlands.
Mail Urs Krebs at Seitz for the best way to get this unit.
I can mail you the drawings for the plugs/cables.
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MK Panorama
Posts: 174
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Registered: 27 Jul 2004
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 at 17:32 GMT
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ROUNDSHOT VR-Drive with 3/8" thread
Now we have developed an adapter you can add-on the ROUNDSHOT VR Drive rotating platform most usual panoramic tripod heads (from other manufacturers than SEITZ).
This is e.g. useful for small ring mount pano heads have been developed for fish-eye lenses.
The rotating platform is available as a kit with adapter and camera cable for photographers having a VR head and looking for a motor drive.
Prices:
ROUNDSHOT VR Drive rotating platform bundle with apapter 3/8", charger and camera cable Nikon or Canon (without camera)
EUR 1200,- net
without camera cable: EUR 1100,- net
Best regards
Marc
www.roundshot-deutschland.de
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Tactus 360
Posts: 1245
Location: Tynset, Norway
Registered: 2 Sep 2010
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 at 18:33 GMT
updated: 2 Sep 2010 at 20:27 GMT
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I am certain, Marc, that the quality of the product is wonderful and we would be getting value for money. If only your website was a little more user-friendly, I might, personally, be more interested, but it is difficult to navigate, difficult to find specific information in English and some of the information is reproduced as jpeg images and the writing is indecipherable. The webcam shots seem not to work as well.
I don't have German as a main language, so that makes everything a little more difficult.
Sorry, I am embarrassed to make these comments, but I think if you expect people to part with large sums of money, better descriptions and information dissemination would help!
Whoops!
Jon
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MK Panorama
Posts: 174
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Registered: 27 Jul 2004
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 5:50 GMT
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Hi John:
Thanks for the advice.
We will continue to optimize our website.
www.marc-kairies.de/english/index.html
If you have any questions, simply send an e-mail.
We are always helpful and accessible.
Best regards
Marc
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badders
Posts: 384
Location: East Kilbride, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Dec 2007
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Smooth
Posts: 3774
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Roundshot VR Drive
Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 10:50 GMT
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badders said:
We do.
Andrew Baddeley
I take it your quoted price is the "complete" VR Drive including panohead, cables etc?
Do you have a break down listing also?
Regards, Smooth
www.smooth360.info
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