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Panos: Which of these....

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The Kaiden is a panorama head that will permit you to slide the camera back/forth to locate nodal point. The RRS just adds rotational ability to your tripod.
 
The Quickpan III is a really nice urn key system that is very well thought out but quite pricey. However, I have been tempted by it on many occasions. I currently use a homemade spherical head, that while clumsy at best, collapses down and fits in almost no extra space. It is rather heavy, but takes little volume to pack.

The other is little different than what NovaFlex offers with their Q-Top or rotation base. Nice but different.

Steven
Patricia said:
would be better and why? Comments and advice appreciated.

Kaidan Quickpan III Spherical

http://www.kaidan.com/Detail.bok?no=89

or

Really Right Stuff's PCL-1 Omni-Pivot Package (bottom third of the
page)

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pano/

Thank you,

--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
Click to expand...
--
---
New and Updated!!!
Spring 2004: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/spring_2004
Mosaics: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/high_res_mosaics
 
I question the specific need for a pano head. My response will likely bring out the naysayers. If you blend the images with PS layers, and utilize good technique to begin with (camera and tripod absolutely level, accurate swivel tripod head, and sufficient image overlap), I found a pano head was not worth the trouble for landscape work. Much of the same editing I had to do with a pano head had to be done with the pano head as well.

--
doc
Living in a 'Circle of Confusion'
http://www.robertpricephotography.com
 
I have the Kaidan Quickpan III Spherical w/ quick release pano head, with the stainless steel rotator arm (for heavier cameras) and an increased height vertical/spherical bracket (available from Kaidan only, not B&H - B&H have Kaidan products for less than Kaidan sells them direct, but the increased height option is not available at B&H)

There is too much deflection (sag) in the rotator arm with a heavy camera.

This is really increased beyond being acceptable in the 1D, due to the battery pack base. I removed and sold the BG-ED vertical grip on my 10D because of this issue. The height of the base will force the Spherical bracket far out onto the end of the rotator arm, increasing the arm sag. You would need to re-level for each shot, which would introduce too much variation between shots, making stitching difficult. I did a pano (my first w/ 1D) a couple days ago with the 1DMKII, and didn't level between shots. It stitched pretty good, but took a lot of tweaking and force stitching. The 10D w/out vertical grip sags much less (but still a little) and is reasonably level as you rotate around for shots. The 10D (w/out grip) and Kaidan rig are a reasonably accurate setup for shooting panos.

There is some play in the clamp that holds the Spherical bracket to the rotator arm, as well. This needs to be re-engineered in future versions, in my opinion.

I'm a big fan of RRS clamps and plates. They are just great to talk to if you have any questions. I'm not sure, looking at the components they show for their pano setup, if camera sag would be more or less than the Kaidan. Call them. And follow up here, please. Maybe someday I'll switch if it means I can use the 1D!

A good resource to check is the Stitcher user forum at Realviz .
 
Wow, lots of other responses while I was fumbling, retyping my post because I looked at the RRS site and lost everything when I came back.

I hate it when that happens.

If you want to shoot interiors, you definitely need a precise pano head. Lanscapes w/ far away vistas will stitch easier than anything in a near field. If you are looking to render QTVR movies, you need the precision and convience of an indexed pano head, since you are likely stitching 25+ shots together.
 
the description indicates that their Omni-Pivot package does indeed provide adjustment on a bracket for locating the nodal point.

Did you view the bottom of the page? (not the Panning Clamp listed at the top)
Sadja Herzog said:
The Kaiden is a panorama head that will permit you to slide the
camera back/forth to locate nodal point. The RRS just adds
rotational ability to your tripod.
Click to expand...
--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
 
Patricia said:
the description indicates that their Omni-Pivot package does indeed
provide adjustment on a bracket for locating the nodal point.

Did you view the bottom of the page? (not the Panning Clamp listed
at the top)
Click to expand...
You're right, Patricia. It's at the very bottom of the page and easily missed. I meant to point that out, and forgot to.
 
Yes, they all seem to be pricey, which is why I hope to receive reviews and comments before making a decision.

Thanks!
--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
Steven Noyes said:
The other is little different than what NovaFlex offers with their
Q-Top or rotation base. Nice but different.

Steven
Patricia said:
would be better and why? Comments and advice appreciated.

Kaidan Quickpan III Spherical

http://www.kaidan.com/Detail.bok?no=89

or

Really Right Stuff's PCL-1 Omni-Pivot Package (bottom third of the
page)

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/pano/

Thank you,

--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
Click to expand...
--
---
New and Updated!!!
Spring 2004: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/spring_2004
Mosaics: http://www.pbase.com/snoyes/high_res_mosaics
Click to expand...
 
to know if anyone here has used RRS's package. (Anyone?)

--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
wtlloyd said:
Patricia said:
the description indicates that their Omni-Pivot package does indeed
provide adjustment on a bracket for locating the nodal point.

Did you view the bottom of the page? (not the Panning Clamp listed
at the top)
Click to expand...
You're right, Patricia. It's at the very bottom of the page and
easily missed. I meant to point that out, and forgot to.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for the helpful info. I'm glad you mentioned the ss rotator arm as I was concerned too about weight issues. I had hoped to use the Mk II for some pano shots as I will not have the luxury of carrying a second SLR body with me (traveling). If weight is going to present problems, would I be better off just using Kaiden's Quick Tilt leveler? As I plan to shoot primarily landscapes I'm hoping to have a little room for adjustment.

At any rate, I plan to phone RRS and gather more information. I'd like to purchase "correctly" the first time. :-)

And thank you for the Stitcher forum advice!

-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
wtlloyd said:
I have the Kaidan Quickpan III Spherical w/ quick release pano
head, with the stainless steel rotator arm (for heavier cameras)
and an increased height vertical/spherical bracket (available from
Kaidan only, not B&H - B&H have Kaidan products for less than
Kaidan sells them direct, but the increased height option is not
available at B&H)

There is too much deflection (sag) in the rotator arm with a heavy
camera.

This is really increased beyond being acceptable in the 1D, due to
the battery pack base. I removed and sold the BG-ED vertical grip
on my 10D because of this issue. The height of the base will force
the Spherical bracket far out onto the end of the rotator arm,
increasing the arm sag. You would need to re-level for each shot,
which would introduce too much variation between shots, making
stitching difficult. I did a pano (my first w/ 1D) a couple days
ago with the 1DMKII, and didn't level between shots. It stitched
pretty good, but took a lot of tweaking and force stitching. The
10D w/out vertical grip sags much less (but still a little) and is
reasonably level as you rotate around for shots. The 10D (w/out
grip) and Kaidan rig are a reasonably accurate setup for shooting
panos.

There is some play in the clamp that holds the Spherical bracket to
the rotator arm, as well. This needs to be re-engineered in future
versions, in my opinion.

I'm a big fan of RRS clamps and plates. They are just great to talk
to if you have any questions. I'm not sure, looking at the
components they show for their pano setup, if camera sag would be
more or less than the Kaidan. Call them. And follow up here,
please. Maybe someday I'll switch if it means I can use the 1D!

A good resource to check is the Stitcher user forum at Realviz .
Click to expand...
 
A timely question from you, as I have just realized that at least half the deflection seen is due to the Quick Tilt Leveler. This leveler has (necessarily) some "give" in it's 3 adjustment screws. It also has a cork covered base (where the rotator arm sits).

I had been thinking of getting a Gitzo 1321 leveling base for some time now. This would (I think) allow me to discontinue using the Kaidan leveler.

If I go this route in the next week or so, I'll let you know how this improves the problem of sag in the arm.

Really, the Kaidan rotator arm is actually very stiff, but it does have a fairly small (2" diameter) base through which everything loads down onto the tripod. This is where the deflection is coming from. I never really tried to find an alternate before, but I think I will look into this.
 
FYI, since you mention travel:

The Kaidan stainless steel rotator arm weighs 2lbs, 8oz

The Kaidan vertical arm/spherical bracket weighs 2lbs, 6oz - this is the height increased (9 1/2") Spherical bracket
 
I will be most interested in learning what you decide. You are way ahead of me with knowledge in this area, so I have much research yet to do!
--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
wtlloyd said:
FYI, since you mention travel:

The Kaidan stainless steel rotator arm weighs 2lbs, 8oz

The Kaidan vertical arm/spherical bracket weighs 2lbs, 6oz - this
is the height increased (9 1/2") Spherical bracket
Click to expand...
 
I've also been looking into pano heads and wondering if I could get by without one. I won't be doing interiors. I'll probably wait on it. I'm spending enough for now on the camera and lenses but I really like panos.

I just wanted to point out that Bogen also has one you could compare with the others. I've had a hard time figuring just what I would need as far as all the parts, etc and worrying about the added weight--to carry and on the tripod. J-

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=293641&is=REG
 
... and short answer is RRS. Long answer is:

...and I guess the main questions would be what do you want to shoot and what do you want the output to be? Other questions:
Spherical or Cylindrical?
Is weight an issue?
Are you the kind of person who wants precision from one of these machines?
How will you be stitching these images?
What tripod do you intend to use?

I shoot mostly real estate and wilderness cylindrical panos that are rendered into QTVR movies. I have also successfully shot panos with a monopod, hot-shoe bubble level, and a compass. It comes down to tradeoffs. Weight, precision, and ease of use.

My current favorite rig is (top to bottom) Nikon D100 in BL-D100 "L" bracket (Kirk) fitted into a Kirk LRP-1 fitted into the RRS PCL-1 mounted to a Manfrotto 3416 leveling head that's mounted on my Bogen 3221WN tripod (similar to the whole RRS "Horizontal" setup). This is far more solid than the Kaidan and breaks down nicely for packing/travel. I can also very easily use the top two pieces with a monopod if I wish to.
The tradeoff is not having the convenient click stops.

Check Manfrotto as well: http://www.manfrotto.com/product/itemlist.php3?manufid=1 §ionid=11

Good luck! Panos are a lot of fun (and hard work).

Kent
 
I do single row panoramas but if I were to do more than one row I would go for the RRS equipment because of my good experiences with them. The Jasper lacks the quick-release attachment integration of the other two unit and it also appears the RRS has QR integration at both ends although I could be wrong.
 
Kent,

Thank you very much for your helpful information. Ideally it would be nice to have a setup for precision work and one for traveling light. I tend to lean toward precision which is why I was curious about the RRS gear. However, the trade off I will make is weight since I travel extensively. The majority of images will be landscapes.

I'm still a bit new to this to know what I need, which is the reason for my post. I use the Kirk L brackets and will look at the LRP-1 and RRS PCL-1 combination you have mentioned. (I'm using a Kirk head on a Gitzo)

Thank you again,

--
-Patricia

1D Mk II, 10D
Kent Johnson said:
... and short answer is RRS. Long answer is:

...and I guess the main questions would be what do you want to
shoot and what do you want the output to be? Other questions:
Spherical or Cylindrical?
Is weight an issue?
Are you the kind of person who wants precision from one of these
machines?
How will you be stitching these images?
What tripod do you intend to use?

I shoot mostly real estate and wilderness cylindrical panos that
are rendered into QTVR movies. I have also successfully shot panos
with a monopod, hot-shoe bubble level, and a compass. It comes down
to tradeoffs. Weight, precision, and ease of use.

My current favorite rig is (top to bottom) Nikon D100 in BL-D100
"L" bracket (Kirk) fitted into a Kirk LRP-1 fitted into the RRS
PCL-1 mounted to a Manfrotto 3416 leveling head that's mounted on
my Bogen 3221WN tripod (similar to the whole RRS "Horizontal"
setup). This is far more solid than the Kaidan and breaks down
nicely for packing/travel. I can also very easily use the top two
pieces with a monopod if I wish to.
The tradeoff is not having the convenient click stops.

Check Manfrotto as well:
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/itemlist.php3?manufid=1 §ionid=11

Good luck! Panos are a lot of fun (and hard work).

Kent
Click to expand...
 
The RRS has a big advantage (to me) over the Kaidan and Jasper in that if you use a ball head with Arca type plate, you're ready to go. The others require replacing the ball head with the pano head.

Max Lyons, one of the stars in the pano field, uses a home made device that only costs a few dollars to assemble and he does somde really complex stuff. He also admits to doing quite a few with no pano head at all.

http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/index.html
 
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