Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: Aristoc on September 07, 2010, 01:47:30 pm
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I have looked at Nodal Ninja and RRS and others. What is the best pano equipment to get for doing single row and possibly multiple row panos of both landscape and architecture?
Thank you.
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GigaPan Epic
Clauss Rodeon
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I wouldn't count the Gigapan in my list of options. It's completely a different kind of panography. I am looking for the more traditional style.
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For landscape a solid tripod and ballhead. If you insist on shooting many landscapes with lots of foreground elements you might need to invest in a proper pano head.
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I have looked at Nodal Ninja and RRS and others. What is the best pano equipment to get for doing single row and possibly multiple row panos of both landscape and architecture?
Thank you.
I think that if you want the best, the Clauss is the only option... I am thinking of going for the VR Station, as I will be using it on a 10m tripod. I have not fully researched this... but I would like to be able to point the camera anywhere (like a normal powered tripod head) so that you can capture a boat, bird, person etc. anywhere in the big frame and paste/merge it into the bigger picture.
Theoretically the res is dictated by the focal length and the pixel pitch, but MF pixels are better, and if you use a few MF files then you can capture large moving objects and incorporate them... so I hope an H4D-60 and a 300mm lens will be good kit.
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I wouldn't count the Gigapan in my list of options. It's completely a different kind of panography. I am looking for the more traditional style.
then the full Really Right Stuff set, I have it only for singlerow
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A nice tripod like a Gitzo Systematic
and a Nice leveling base like the one from Acratech
About PanoHeads (only needed for interiors or very close foreground elements)
Manfrotto 303+ (single row)
& Manfrotto 303 SPH (Multi row)
Really well engineered pieces of gear, extremely solid and precise.
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I am looking seriously at using the Arca Swiss Cube C1 for this purpose. Still reading up on it from people who have used it. The price is pretty stiff at $1700, however.
Click here for the Cube (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=629979&is=REG&A=details&Q=)
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You can't buy it, you have to build it :o http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=34499.0
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I like things that multi task. Hence a Manfrotto geared 410 head on top of a leveling base with geared focus rail sometime attached. Great for macros and closeup of flowers with or without the rail. I usually level the base because then if I pan a little to the sides it keeps the vertical composition in place. Very easy and precise positioning.
Now for panos I use the same setup. Level the base then the camera (bubble level on camera). Since most of my panos are without close foreground objects, I don't usually use the rail. If I have close up objects I use the rail for which I have a list of settings in my notebook for my most used lenses so I can set the correct nodal point. Use an L bracket for verticals I use a Panasonic G1 with articulated screen so I can look down to the LCD, don't have to have the camera at eyelevel. I do a check to see how much I have to turn the the knob for a pan to get an approximately 1/3 overlap. When ready to shoot I have my remote on my left hand, eye on the LCD, and right hand on the panning knob. Expose, check LCD quickly, and turn knob required number of times. Then repeat until done. I can get a set of exposures off in under 5 seconds which minimizes cloud movement.
Of course this is not for everyone. But for my subjects it works well. I don't shoot action so don't have to follow a subject - geared not good for this. I shoot longer lenses. I shoot static subjects with precise framing - geared is good. Don't do multi-row, would have to add a bracket for this. Almost never have problems with stitching using CS5. Draw backs, heavy but I don't stray far from the car with this. Have a much lighter setup for when required - shift adapter for m4/3 which shifts the body, lens stationary (use mostly old, quality manual lenses). Use with any tripod and head. Gives 3:1 with horizontal camera and 2:1 with vertical. Enough for most of what I want to do. Only good with lenses 40mm and up (80mm ff), shorter lenses vignette and color shift at the sides.
Might mention that this is sort of modular, mix and match. Everything snaps together quickly with rapid clamps, no screwing around. It all goes together with the same alignment each time so I am assured of results.
Larry
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I have the Really Right Stuff and the Nodal Ninja spherical heads. Both are quite nice. If you are planning panos with lenses that aren't too heavy and are less than 100mm focal length, the nodal ninja is very nice. I occasionally shoot panos with my 100-400 and the nodal ninja isn't sturdy enough to hold it...more to the point, the click detents in the panning clamps make it impossible to move a short enough distance to shoot panos at 400 (or 300 or 200 for that matter).
I use the Really Right Stuff gear extensively. Because of the simple clamping system it is highly modular, so that you can easily setup to carry a cylindrical head and then add some more parts and carry a spherical head. It can be used as a focusing rail, and it can be used like a gimble for panning when photographing birds. Finally, the RRS gear is indestructible.
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I use the Really Right Stuff gear extensively. Because of the simple clamping system it is highly modular, so that you can easily setup to carry a cylindrical head and then add some more parts and carry a spherical head
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I am switching over to a RRS pano set up for modularity and other factors. I have a Manfrotto 303 SPH and have found it to be too heavy and for that and other issues avoid using it. I have had an RRS PCL-1 clamp and several rails and found that it is much easier to carry. My RRS leveling base will arrive today and I suspect that I will expand to a full RRS pano system. Also the RRS "bits" for the pano system aren't dedicated for pano and I use the clamp and rails for other purposes.
Steve
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I'm pretty sure that device can also be used to straighten out crooked bones :D
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I like the Manfrotto geared head for doing macro's. I don't have one but it's something I might get at a future date. For now I use my Manfrotto 454 for macro.
Your set up is very specific to your own needs. Custom made.
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I have looked at NN and will not be going with that company. Their products are made in asia. They also seem to be having some quality issues. The NOdal Ninja 5 is discontinued. Their web site is not fully updated such as the selector graph.
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I am pretty sure I am heading towards the RRS system. I like the modularity and good design. It seems fool proof. their web site is very detailed and clear. They have very quick customer response. It is a made in north america. It is solid. Good resale value too.
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I'm pretty sure that device can also be used to straighten out crooked bones :D
Not to mention bending straight ones.
Jeremy
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the arca ball head P0 have the panoramic plate on the top, and can use arca style plate...
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take reallyrightstuff pano, Best traditional style.
easy setup and easy disassemble, can use every components saperately.
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Have a look at this - Gitzo's Athena - a fully motorized / WiFi controllable tripod head - pretty much state of the art at the minute for creating large panoramas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyzS0IPGS7c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyzS0IPGS7c)
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http://www.cambo.com/Html/products_photo/set01/english/internet/Item21908.html
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I have been a happy RRS users for many years. Very good gear.
The best has started to get better: http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=PG-02-LLR&eq=&Tp=
The image below was shot last week with a near final prototype of this head:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4993252226_be76749ff7.jpg)
The PG-02 can be used both as a support super telelenses and as a very robust pano head. It is both more simple and more robust than the current spherical head though. It is an amazing piece of equipment that will help get even better image quality in windy conditions. It is a bit heavier though.
RRS pays real close attention to the needs of pano shooters and they are looking at going even further in the future, but I was requested not to say more.
Cheers,
Bernard
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wow, that looks like way the best yet, although if you're only shooting a 35mm and normal lenses it's going to be a bit heavier than i'd like to carry - doesn't say what the actual weight is
i've been using a 4th Generation Mongoose 2.3 with a RRS rail (for nodal point and balance) - the center of rotation is almost perfect for verticals with a 7D or 5D, but won't work for horizontos or with a professional camera and i've thought how nice it would be if the center of rotation were adjustable (without reducing rigidity or adding too much weight - weight is comparable to a good ball head)
note that they are also showing an optional leveling base with their tripod. i've kind of gotten used to adjusting legs, but will probably end up accepting the extra weight of a leveling base
i've found that i prefer the gimbal over a ball head for almost everything i do
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Bernard told us about the Clauss pano heads (3k5 to 5k Euros) but I wand to use a 60Mpx camera with a 300mm lens on a 10m tripod, and the Clauss remote can handle 5kg, 7kg or 15kg cameras (the Hasselblad with a big lens is over 4kg).
My Manfrotto 400 fully geared tripod head would be fine for single-row landscapes.
¿but does a £30,000 camera do a better job than a £3,000 camera?
When the picture includes large moving objects like a speed boat, or surf it would do.
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i've kind of gotten used to adjusting legs, but will probably end up accepting the extra weight of a leveling base
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The RRS leveling base is quite light ~ 320 gms. Weight with attached 80mm lever clamp is ~500 gms. With attached PCL-1 clamp, 640 gms. The weight of standard base + BH-55 ball head and lever clamp is 1065 gms.
As a point of interest, I stacked a lever clamp, a PCL-1 with plate and a nodal rail on the leveling base and after leveling the base, all of the other components were also dead level. Precise machining by RRS, I guess.
Steve
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I have been a happy RRS users for many years. Very good gear.
The best has started to get better: http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Itemdesc.asp?ic=PG-02-LLR&eq=&Tp=
The image below was shot last week with a near final prototype of this head:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4993252226_be76749ff7.jpg)
The PG-02 can be used both as a support super telelenses and as a very robust pano head. It is both more simple and more robust than the current spherical head though. It is an amazing piece of equipment that will help get even better image quality in windy conditions. It is a bit heavier though.
RRS pays real close attention to the needs of pano shooters and they are looking at going even further in the future, but I was requested not to say more.
Cheers,
Bernard
I saw this being demonstrated on RRS you tube website a couple of weeks ago. First saw it on RRS newsletter links below:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs015/1102441290359/archive/1103592621930.html
They said it was a protype then. It looked a little bit big too me and and they were using a VERY large lens with it. The only thing I think for me is that what I change my mind and don't want to shoot a pano? I can keep carrying around that large thing or I have to take un-install it from the tripod and then re-install a ballhead and clamp and then put my camera back on. So once it is on...you kind of have to leave it on I guess. Plus you do need to buy a levelling base of some sort it seems.It's does do away with buying a second RRS PCL panning clamp for the vertical bar which is over kill. would love to hear about it in use.
(http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmRRS/Images/thumb/PG02LLR.png)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4998947056_b5484f1bb0.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zmVlPipmT3I/TJE-RnkkclI/AAAAAAAAAxA/SQ1YEHsLRPk/s320/RRS+Demo-01.jpg)
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It looked a little bit big too me and and they were using a VERY large lens with it.
Then that is when you need it. For lighter duty setups, the regular RRS kit is sturdy enough and can be stored quite compact (or just compactly mounted upside down on the tripod for carrying with camera in bag). As said by others, the individual components can also be used for other tasks, they are parts of a system.
Pluse you do need to buy a levelling base of some sort it seems.
I use an EZ leveler II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tF6KzdHMiE) for that, and e.g. use the RRS PCL-1 rotating clamp on top of that (or use a click stop in between). It will allow very accurate leveling, and that leveler carries a lot of weight and is very lightweight itself. As with most levelers, they are limited to a number of degrees tilt, less than a ball head, but that's where the weight saving comes from.
Cheers,
Bart
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They said it was a protype then. It looked a little bit big too me and and they were using a VERY large lens with it. The only thing I think for me is that what I change my mind and don't want to shoot a pano? I can keep carrying around that large thing or I have to take un-install it from the tripod and then re-install a ballhead and clamp and then put my camera back on. So once it is on...you kind of have to leave it on I guess. Plus you do need to buy a levelling base of some sort it seems.
Yep, indeed. That's how I have been using it. Left permanently on the tripod on top of a leveling base.
It works for me as I basically only do panos. If I don't I just use the pano head as a 2 axis ball head. A bit less convenient since you have to lock the 2 axis, but there really is zero drift after lock. I would be a bit limiting when trying to shoot really now though.
It is actually faster compared to the former head when you shoot panos since the horizontal bar is already on the tripod. Assuming you leave the clamp on the camera all the time you have only 2 parts to assemble together to be able to start shooting, which is a matter of 30 secs or so once the tripod has been set.
As far as the old head being enough for light lenses/combos, I guess that it is true most of the time. The whole thing depends very much on the weather. There is no such thing as too robust when the wind blows and you are still trying to achieve critical sharpness.
Cheers,
Bernard
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I have looked at Nodal Ninja and RRS and others. What is the best pano equipment to get for doing single row and possibly multiple row panos of both landscape and architecture?
Thank you.
For what end purpose? In other words how large of output are you looking to produce
I use the Really Right Stuff Ultimate-Pro Omni-Pivot Package and mount it on a Foba ASMIA ripped head on top of a heavy duty aluminum Gitzo legset. I general ywork with cameras i the D3s and EOS-1Ds size class but sometimes with PhaseOne medium format bodies. The largest output I've created so far was a 24 x 8 foot panoramic for a cities recent Olympic bid. It was shot with the camera out over the edge of a 65 story condominium tower using The phase One with a P45+ back: 3 rows of 22 frames each. Yo can pick out details in apartment windows a few blocks away and individual bricks maybe a tenth to a quarter mile away.
I use PtGui 9.0.2beta software to stitch and allow for very generous overlap.
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I would think these need to be on the list somewhere.
http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/intro.cfm
Kevin.
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Do anyone know about Agnos Pano Equipment?
My friend suggest me about it.
I am looking for some help to know about it.
Thanks in advance!
San Diego Custom Stickers (http://www.858graphics.com/Stickers/Custom-Stickers.html)
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I am sitting here taking apart my RRS Ultimate-Pro Omni-Pivot and using the clamps and rail for other purposes. Just another factor when evaluating prices...If the piece of gear is less expensive but it is "purpose" specific"...where is the cost savings???
Steve
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I am sitting here taking apart my RRS Ultimate-Pro Omni-Pivot and using the clamps and rail for other purposes. Just another factor when evaluating prices...If the piece of gear is less expensive but it is "purpose" specific"...where is the cost savings???
Indeed. I also use the RRS system, because that's what it is, a system. All components can be repurposed in different configurations. Components of the Ultimate Pro Omni Pivot can also be used for macro photography or stereo photography or other uses. It's truly multipurpose 'stuff'.
Here is how some components can be combined into a "flat stitch" configuration for a shifted lens where the camera needs to be counter shifted a fixed amount to avoid parallax:
(http://www.xs4all.nl/~bvdwolf/temp/OPF/RRS_OrthographicStitch.jpg)
Cheers,
Bart
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Slightly different take on "flat stitch for my old 'blad. I may decide to go back to using "stops" rather than using the lever CR. Again the point is that with a few parts and Allen wrenches different needs can be met without buying dedicated configurations.
The parts "bin".
Steve
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First pic didn't post:
Steve
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I have looked at NN and will not be going with that company. Their products are made in asia. They also seem to be having some quality issues. The NOdal Ninja 5 is discontinued. Their web site is not fully updated such as the selector graph.
A german made pano head is the Pano-MAXX - similar to the NN5 in many ways, but with a few trade-offs: as I understand it has no lock on the rotator and the camera plate isn't as easy to mount at as the NN5:
http://www.panorama-hardware.de/cgi-bin/framestore.cgi?action=open&site=open&lang=com
Haven't used it myself, so don't take it as a recommendation.. ;)
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One more "Made in Germany" option I've been looking at:
http://www.marc-kairies.de/mk-panorama-systeme/mk-panohead/index.html
And a review:
http://www.rosaurophotography.com/html/panoramas/vr_review/mkpanohead/mkpanohead_review.html
/Lars
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I am pretty sure I am heading towards the RRS system. I like the modularity and good design. It seems fool proof. their web site is very detailed and clear. They have very quick customer response. It is a made in north america. It is solid. Good resale value too.
I just made my first purchase from Really Right Stuff and their service was even faster than B&H. Ordered on Friday; product delivered on Monday (from CA to FL).
They seem to be obsessed with both truly useful innovation and exceptional customer service, which is an awfully hard combination to beat.
I will be buying a lot more gear from RRS in the future because of this ...
Jack
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If I want to use a 4 to 8Kg cameras on a 10m tripod, is there any alternative to the Clauss?
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That's my experience also Jack and I live in Canada.
I just made my first purchase from Really Right Stuff and their service was even faster than B&H. Ordered on Friday; product delivered on Monday (from CA to FL).
They seem to be obsessed with both truly useful innovation and exceptional customer service, which is an awfully hard combination to beat.
I will be buying a lot more gear from RRS in the future because of this ...
Jack
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