Panoramic head options

jvvw wrote:

I am looking for what solutions people are using for pano heads. I do long exposures and panoramas and need a new setup to make stitching as easy as possible. I have a x Pro 1 currently. Thanks!

One axis or two? Two axis adds to cost and weight.

Search on Amazon for "panoramic head". Don't forget your nodal slide (aka rail) to get rid of the parallax error --- it'll make it easier for the stitching software to come up with excellent results.

The trick with choosing the right panoramic head is to figure out what is the heaviest lens you plan on using and if the rotating panoramic head has built-in stops (indexing rotor), will the angles it supports be compatible with the focal length you want to use. My default lens for Fuji-X is a 23mm prime.

If you want to go motorized to really make it easy to take the shots, there is now plenty of options. Do a quick search for "motorized panoramic head".  No idea how well any of these work.

When I bought my setup back in 2012, the cheapest way to go that met my needs was to buy individual parts on Amazon.

For one axis:

• Combination: SUNWAYFOTO Indexing Rotator DDP-64MX & DDY-64i Discal Arca Comp Clamp NEW
• Nodal Slide

For two axis, I added:

• A second nodal slide
• Non-Indexing Rotor
• Acra-swiss compatible vertical rail

By today's standards, my setup wasn't cheap.  It was also intended for my FF DSLR.

Given how light the Fujifilm gear is I'd be tempted to try the cheaper solutions under $200.

Lastly, consider how you are going to quickly level your tripod to mount your rotator on.  The easy answer is to use a good ball head that can support the weight without moving.  I bought a large bubble level mounted on a plate that fit on my acra-swiss quick release which was better than those tiny 1 cm diameter levels.  If weight/stability is a concern, consider a tripod with a leveling base option (doubt that's a problem with the Fuji-X gear).