Kingo
Posts: 8
Location:
Registered: 17 Jun 2011
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Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 16:31 GMT
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Thought I would share my recent experience with purchasing a new panoramic head.
I previously used the manfrotto 303SPH, however found that there was too much flex when using my 14-24 Nikkor Lens/D3s. It was noticeable using my D200/10.5. Over time the silly alloy hinge wore out adding more free play, and the detents in the rotator were barely noticeable.
On a quest to find a replacement I first tried 360precision as I was very interested in the fixed setup and batch stitching. However I can honestly say, I tried my best to buy a 360precision absolute. I was a little sceptical of the negative reviews regarding the communication issues other faced.. however.. I called from Hong Kong twice (during their business hours) and left a message on their answering machine. I used their online form, and sent and email. I added them to messenger as mentioned in other posts by the company, however as of this posting.. No response. Sorry guys.. I tried.
I emailed Bill Bailey from Nodal Ninja asking if the M1 would suit my needs. His reply was within 2 days, and has been in contact several times during the ordering process to ensure I have made the correct selection that best suits my needs. The customer service from Nodal Ninja is outstanding and gives me confidence in their new product.
Hopefully the M1 should arrive soon and I will post a review on how it works with my D3s/14-24.
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MK Panorama
Posts: 174
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Registered: 27 Jul 2004
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 17:33 GMT
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Hello:
We have become 360precision reseller - the products have been tested. Simply perfect!
We offer these in addition to our motorized head, the MK PanoMachine.
All 360precision heads can be motorized horizontal.
We have goods in stock and quick delivery.
We have exellent customer service - since 1998.
We get goods from England mostly overnight and appreciate Matt's support...
Best regards
Marc
MK Panorama Systeme, Germany
www.vr-head.com
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Kingo
Posts: 8
Location:
Registered: 17 Jun 2011
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 17:50 GMT
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Hi Marc,
Thanks for the info/advert.
How long does it take to procure an Absolute MK2 for D3S/14-24 Nikkor ? Do you have them in stock ?
Thanks.
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 2791
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 17:58 GMT
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Kingo.
Why do you want an absolute. It is an old design which today does not have any real use.
It was designed when PTGui did not have batch functions and it was not even available for Mac.
Today you do not need the extreme precision that Absolute gives you.
What you need is the Adjuste Giga which you can use for any lens.
Hans
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Kingo
Posts: 8
Location:
Registered: 17 Jun 2011
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 19:15 GMT
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Thanks Hans for your info.
I will give the M1 a go when it arrives soon. It sounds promising.
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hindenhaag
Posts: 729
Location: Netherlands
Registered: 7 Mar 2010
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 17 Jun 2011 at 21:13 GMT
updated: 17 Jun 2011 at 21:14 GMT
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Hi Kingo,
I can tell you D3s and 14-24mm/f2.8 works very well on M1. Use the curved camera plate on D3/s, fits to the body very well. Just finding Nikon settings for different bodies and lenses on M1-L Pre.
When you have it at home, just send and IM or visit us on NNForum and I will tell about my findings and experience. Just tested 24-70mm/f2.8 today. I test with D3.
Regards,
Heinz
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Kingo
Posts: 8
Location:
Registered: 17 Jun 2011
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 18 Jun 2011 at 1:31 GMT
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Thanks Heinz. will do.
I have the 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 to try out.
does the curved plate come in the M1 set ?
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hindenhaag
Posts: 729
Location: Netherlands
Registered: 7 Mar 2010
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 18 Jun 2011 at 4:41 GMT
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Ok, same lenses as I have.
Yes, it comes with this plate as well as with a flat universal use plate.
Heinz
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Nick Fan
[NodalNinja]
Posts: 710
Location: Hong Kong
Registered: 26 May 2006
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 18 Jun 2011 at 9:08 GMT
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hindenhaag said: Ok, same lenses as I have.
Yes, it comes with this plate as well as with a flat universal use plate.
Heinz
No. It comes with one camera plate only. You need to specify in your order.
Nick
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hindenhaag
Posts: 729
Location: Netherlands
Registered: 7 Mar 2010
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 18 Jun 2011 at 18:02 GMT
updated: 18 Jun 2011 at 18:07 GMT
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ups, 
Sorry, checked the e-store and I did not realize the "or" in the text. In this case you could order the U1G for D3.
Heinz
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Kingo
Posts: 8
Location:
Registered: 17 Jun 2011
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 19 Jun 2011 at 16:54 GMT
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Thanks.
I didnt specify as I missed it also... hopefully Nick sends me the correct one.. 
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Revolution
Posts: 8
Location: United States
Registered: 26 Oct 2011
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 13:15 GMT
updated: 26 Oct 2011 at 13:24 GMT
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Hi all,
I wanted to jump in this conversation.
----->Kingo's was interested in the
- Absolute MK2 for D3S/14-24 Nikkor
I too am interested in the "Absolute MK2"
I use the following:
- Nikon D3
- Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 16mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8
- MacPro Quadcore Xeon, 16TB HD, 12GB RAM, Dual 24" Monitors
To Add to what Kingo said about the 360Precision.com:
In the past 2 weeks...
I have called 360Precision.com
- and no one ever answered the telephone
I have emailed them
- and never got a response
I have requested contact via AOL IM
- and have never received a response
This is what I need:
My business is changing and I am about to change my equipment.
I am keeping the cameras and lenses but switching out the tripod, and the pano head.
I have different needs. Everything I do is hi-resolution HDR. I also do a lot of motion controlled time-lapse HDR.
1) I need to do panos where the subject is landscapes / big buidings, etc... so a portable pano is much appreciated.
2) I also need to do panos for interior shots where rooms dimensions are about 14ft x 14ft x 8ft with "normal interior lighting". Weight here is not a big issue.
3) Lastly, I need to do panos of interior shots where room where a) lighting is extremely poor and b) the location can be extremely cluttered... to the point where you climb into as opposed to walking in.
Most of what I do for interiors is done in almost complete darkness. Little to no lighting at all. I bring small LED lights for that I can see.
4) Lastly... since I am upgrading - I would sincerely appreciate a motorized system but
- I have never used a motorized system before
- I don't know the reliability of a motorized system
- the weight of the motorized concerns me
----->Hans
You said... "Why do you want an absolute. It is an old design which today does not have any real use."... etc
I thought the Absolute MK2 was the latest design 360Precision has ? Can you expound on this please ?
----->Anyone
Can you provide your insight on motorized systems, their reliability, why or not why you recommend them, and if you recommend them - which ones ? and a very good replacement tripod also.
So far - I am either going to purchase a Nodal Ninja 4 - but maybe the 360Precision if they ever respond or
I am also considering (motorized)
- am very interested in the
- Clauss Rodeon VR station, and the
- MK Panorama Systeme PanoMachine 7.0.
The Clauss setup can be found here:
- www.dr-clauss.de/VRstation_EN.htm
The MK setup is here:
- www.vr-head.com
I intend to purchase within 1 to 2 weeks and thank you to all - would appreciate any assistance and suggestions.
Thanks,
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 2791
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 13:55 GMT
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The Absolute was Matts first panohead many years ago, I guess it was introduced around 2004
It was designed at a time when stitchers was much more complicated to work with and it was specially designed to have "absolute" precision for 1 single camera and lens so that you could automate stitching with a special template without any controlpoints at all.
To do this it has to be made especially for each camera/lens combination.
However today you can automate PTgui to stitch perfect using a template even if the panohead does not have the absolute perfect precision .
The only head that is able to use all the lenses you have without any extra sets of arms or other additions is the 360precision Adjuste Giga.
It has enough length of the spherical arm to set it up for your 14-24mm also if you need it and you can use also for your fisheye.
Hans
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Tactus 360
Posts: 1245
Location: Tynset, Norway
Registered: 2 Sep 2010
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 14:58 GMT
updated: 26 Oct 2011 at 15:01 GMT
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Hans Nyberg said: The only head that is able to use all the lenses you have without any extra sets of arms or other additions is the 360precision Adjuste Giga.
That's not quite accurate, Hans. The Adjuste is quite capable of handling longer focal-length lenses.
I don't know whether you have ever used one or not, but in my experience, its construction is vastly superior to cheaper models, its only drawback being the 15 degree stops on the Y axis. They are obviously machine tooled and hand finished, and I think this is one of the reasons it takes so much time to get them, hence the bad publicity Matthew seems to attract.
I would rather have a precision-made head to a piece of die-cast metal tatt any day, even if it results in me wanting to rip Matthews head off.
And a recent experience with one of the inferior brands, resulting in a trip to the local scrap merchant has not only qualified (to me) everything I say, but - for want of sounding like a New Conservative, rather than the old armchair socialist I try to be - I would buy British any day.
Jon
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 2791
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Re: Nodal Ninja and 360 Precision
Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 15:33 GMT
updated: 26 Oct 2011 at 15:46 GMT
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Jon
The standard adjust can not handle the new Nikkor 14-24mm which needs a length of around 140mm for NPP
tinyurl.com/64jgten
Also see the compatibility list here. There are several other lenses that needs more than the 120 max of the standard adjust.
tinyurl.com/3uxc57m
Also the Giga has 5+10+15 degree stops on the arm which is a very strong incitament to get it.
Plus it is higher which to me is a must when you want to do panos in narrow areas for example in a church between the benches which is where you get the best perpective,
Because it is higher you get less problems with the nadir.
Hans
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