Is a panning plate that useful?

[PixelPeeper]

Hello.  I am looking for a new ballhead and am trying to figure out the difference between using a panning plate and just the panning at the base of the ballhead.  Everything that I've read says that the double-pan feature helps in panoramic shots.  I do like to take panoramic shots, but can't understand how the panning plate would help.  Can someone please enlighten me?  

(I'm planning to mount on a Gitzo 3530S)

[Tim Gray]

Not sure what you mean by panning plate (as being different from the panning base on the head).

One key to good panos is to get the tripod head level.  That can be a bit fussy without a leveller Eg: http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Scree..._Code=Ballheads

The second key to good panos (particularly if there's close foreground) is the use of an extension  rail that lets you pivot around the entrance pupil of the lens to eliminate parallax.

I find the leveller invaluable, and the rail less useful, but I have one from Kirk
http://www.kirkphoto.com/supports.html#rail   note that this kind of setup doesn't support multi row panos, at least with rotation around the correct point in the lens.

[Lisa Nikodym]

In place of a specialized ballhead base with a built-in level, I've found that what works for me is to use my inexpensive (~$30) leveling device made to attach to the camera's hot shoe, and just temporarily place it on the ledge formed by the ring at the top of the tripod (below the head).  Is there anything else a panning base does that this plus rotating the head doesn't?

Lisa

[Tim Gray]

In place of a specialized ballhead base with a built-in level, I've found that what works for me is to use my inexpensive (~$30) leveling device made to attach to the camera's hot shoe, and just temporarily place it on the ledge formed by the ring at the top of the tripod (below the head).  Is there anything else a panning base does that this plus rotating the head doesn't?

Lisa
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=121908\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Not sure if this responds to the question you raise, but the only way to get the panning base of the head level is to adjust the legs of the tripod, it's significantly easier to get the head level using something like the Acratech.  Functionally, once the head base is level there's no difference.

[Samotano]

Not sure what you mean by panning plate (as being different from the panning base on the head).

One key to good panos is to get the tripod head level.  That can be a bit fussy without a leveller Eg: http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Scree..._Code=Ballheads

The second key to good panos (particularly if there's close foreground) is the use of an extension  rail that lets you pivot around the entrance pupil of the lens to eliminate parallax.

I find the leveller invaluable, and the rail less useful, but I have one from Kirk
http://www.kirkphoto.com/supports.html#rail   note that this kind of setup doesn't support multi row panos, at least with rotation around the correct point in the lens.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=121895\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have been looking at the acratech you mentioned myself.  One question I had is how stable it is, especially with bigger lenses (say 300mm).  Do you always have it mounted on the tripod?  Do you find it affects stability even minimally?
Thx.

[Hank]

Though not a solution for the parallax issues Tim identified, selecting tripod legs that include a level will pay off big time when used along with a hotshoe level, as suggested by Lisa.  I'm not acquainted with Gitzo's current offerings, but my old #1349 has one.  It would be the first feature I looked for in selecting a new set of legs.

[Tim Gray]

I have been looking at the acratech you mentioned myself.  One question I had is how stable it is, especially with bigger lenses (say 300mm).  Do you always have it mounted on the tripod?  Do you find it affects stability even minimally?
Thx.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=121912\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

It's very stable - I've used it with a 100-400, but not yet with my 300 2.8, but I wouldn't anticipate any difficulty - the collar on the larger lenses keeps the centre of gravity well positioned over the head, and it doesn't introduce any creep.  FWIW, I do use the bubble level Lisa mentioned to level the camera as well.

[Lisa Nikodym]

Not sure if this responds to the question you raise, but the only way to get the panning base of the head level is to adjust the legs of the tripod, it's significantly easier to get the head level using something like the Acratech. Functionally, once the head base is level there's no difference.

I'm not sure how to interpret this.  With a full panning base, do you just change the leg lengths until the bubbles are level?  That's effectively what I current do, only with the hotshoe level sitting on top of the tripod (on the ring below the head).  After the top of the tripod is level, I move the hotshoe level back to the hotshoe and make sure the camera itself is level.  (I only need this two-step system when I'm doing a series of pano shots, of course.)  Then the rotating thingy on the bottom of the ballhead can be used to rotate between shots.

Is there someone else a panning base does that this system doesn't, or that it does easier? (Other than prevent the level from falling off the tripod when you tilt it too much the wrong way, of course.  )

Lisa

[PixelPeeper]

Hello.  I am looking for a new ballhead and am trying to figure out the difference between using a panning plate and just the panning at the base of the ballhead.  Everything that I've read says that the double-pan feature helps in panoramic shots.  I do like to take panoramic shots, but can't understand how the panning plate would help.  Can someone please enlighten me? 

(I'm planning to mount on a Gitzo 3530S)
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks for asking.  I was referring to some of the heads that have two panning adjustments rather than one (at the base).  

Here are some examples:
RRS BH-55 PCL
[a href=\"http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Customkititems.asp?kc=BH%2D55%2DPCL&eq=&ErrURL=Redir]http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Custom...q=&ErrURL=Redir[/url]

ArcaSwiss double pan
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4699...Z1_dp_with.html

While I'm at it, might as well ask you guys if you prefer quick release lever or turn-knob.  

[Tim Gray]

Thanks for asking.  I was referring to some of the heads that have two panning adjustments rather than one (at the base). 

Here are some examples:
RRS BH-55 PCL
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Custom...q=&ErrURL=Redir

ArcaSwiss double pan
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4699...Z1_dp_with.html

While I'm at it, might as well ask you guys if you prefer quick release lever or turn-knob. 
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=122214\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

The only issue with this kind of plate, is you can't tilt the camera up or down and still pan level (uness you've levelled the tripod as well).

I prefer the lever clamp.

[larry_t]

If you are refering to the Really Right Stuff PCL panning clamp then it is a quick and easy way to get a level panning base.

With the PCL clamp you move the ballhead so that the clamp's bubble is centered. The clamp has it's own panning ability and the camera can then be panned using the clamp and not the ballhead.

The advantage over a typical levelling base is that it is very quick to use and has a very large degree of movement. The disadvantage is the cost.

The cheaper method is to use a tripod with levelling base, get the base approximately level and then adjust the levelling base so that the panning plane is level.

Larry

[Vinny]

There is a simple and cheaper solution to setting up a panning base for panoramas: buy a basic ballhead with independent panning lock like the Giottos MH 1000 and turn it upside down.

Here is an example:

http://www.erik-krause.de/index.htm?./panohead/

It is very simple to level and makes panoramas easy.

Here is a link to the Giottos:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1565...Large_Ball.html

[gerardd]

PixelPeeper,
Spend the money in the first place and you will be better off. I started with a Manfrotto 303SPH + leveling base. It is good but not not as rigid as the RRS Ultimate-Pro Omni-Pivot. I find the BH55PCL + MPR-CLII a very good base for single row panoramas. It is very sturdy and easy to use. I keep using the Manfrotto with the D70 and use the RRS with the D2x (only have the BH55PCL + MPR-CLII at the moment).

[marcsitkin]

You might wish to look at the NodalNinja. It allows the camera to be mounted in portrait position, and can be bought in a kit with several indexing plates that allow you to do a horizntal pan with stops at various angles. The vertical (pitch) movement has a calibrated scale.

Try http://www.panoguide.com/ for general information on panorama making.

Regards,

Marc Sitkin
www.digitalmomentum.com