F505 Panoramic Photography - Tripod & Head

[Ian14585]

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Georgi]

Well, I WAS going to comment but then, I would ONLY recommend
one brand tripod and one brand head and you'll have to sell the wife
and kids to pay those.

The best stuff in the world though. More than likely overkill for a little
digital camera but I've used it with one and it works great. The
advantage is that the head can be adjusted with a friction setting that
will take any size camera. From a little digital camera to a large format
camera. I know, I've tried. As for the panoramic shots, I have seen
quite a few of those lately on a site and they are gorgeous.
Maybe you could write and ask the individual guys how they did it.
I've found some gorgeous pics and there and have even received permission]
to use a few of them.
http://www.digitalphotocontest.com/archivemain.asp

George

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree
panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by
letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera
performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod
and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they
look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our
dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I
believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Georgi]

By the way, you will see that you can chooose
Panoramic pictures in one of the drop down
menus.

YOu also have to choose month and a year and they DO have many pics
there. Great stuff too.

You will also notice that when stitching together
an outdoor photo, you will get some light differences in the sky
that will give it away. I would look a couple of months back to when
I saw some gorgeous pics.

George

The best stuff in the world though. More than likely overkill for a little
digital camera but I've used it with one and it works great. The
advantage is that the head can be adjusted with a friction setting that
will take any size camera. From a little digital camera to a large format
camera. I know, I've tried. As for the panoramic shots, I have seen
quite a few of those lately on a site and they are gorgeous.
Maybe you could write and ask the individual guys how they did it.
I've found some gorgeous pics and there and have even received permission]
to use a few of them.
http://www.digitalphotocontest.com/archivemain.asp

George

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree
panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by
letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera
performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod
and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they
look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our
dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I
believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Ian14585]

Hi George,
Don't suppose you could fill me in on the name ?
I've got a felling it involves the word Manfrotto .... am I warm ?
Ian
P.S. Thanks for the help.

YOu also have to choose month and a year and they DO have many pics
there. Great stuff too.

You will also notice that when stitching together
an outdoor photo, you will get some light differences in the sky
that will give it away. I would look a couple of months back to when
I saw some gorgeous pics.

George

The best stuff in the world though. More than likely overkill for a little
digital camera but I've used it with one and it works great. The
advantage is that the head can be adjusted with a friction setting that
will take any size camera. From a little digital camera to a large format
camera. I know, I've tried. As for the panoramic shots, I have seen
quite a few of those lately on a site and they are gorgeous.
Maybe you could write and ask the individual guys how they did it.
I've found some gorgeous pics and there and have even received permission]
to use a few of them.
http://www.digitalphotocontest.com/archivemain.asp

George

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree
panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by
letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera
performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod
and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they
look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our
dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I
believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Georgi]

Oh, I don't mind at all and I didn't because I didn't think you would
be interested.

The BEST ball head in the world is made by ARCA SWISS. Their newer duoball
is a bit of a pain. I like the MONOBALL better.

It is AMAZING and many people have copied them. The ball would run you
around 5-600 bucks. GITZO and I'm sorry, NOT Manfrotto is the best
tripod in the world. You could kill people with any of those brands
and they wouldn't have a scratch on them. If you get Gitzo no 320 you probably
have the most versatile tripod in the world. It goes as low as a couple
of inches off the ground and as high as 9-10 feet I think. All in ONE
tripod. Sturdy enough to sit on if you want (with legs closed) and the
center column is reversible. With a short colum you can put the camera only
a few inches off the ground or just reverse the regular (DOUBLE) center
column.

Simply amazing stuff and I wouldn't TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE!

Granted, high end gear but ONE of each WILL last you a lifetime.

SECOND hand prices like you wouldn't believe. They do NOT lose value
like the other crap out there. Let me know if you need more info about it.

By the way, the tripod will run you around 300 or so.

You're welcome by the way.

Come to think of it, I have two gitzos for sale if your'e interested.
One is VERY compact, the other one is close to the 320 model. It just
has one extra leg extension so it's NOT as sturdy as the 320 but for
digital cameras, it'll do the job with aplomb. Both are around 150-200
each though. I even have a monoball but I'd sell my wife before.

I plan on getting a 320 when I get more money. I quit taking pictures
many years ago and just got me a gitzo to get me by. The 320 is MY favorite.

I had a HUGE Gitzo that I sold on e bay and I wish I could show you the
pictures. I just looked but it seems I have deleted them. One of them
shows the tripod STRADDLING my S-10 truck bed.

The same tripod goes so low to the ground that I can just about put
my hand between it and the ground.

COOL STUFF!

George

Hi George,
Don't suppose you could fill me in on the name ?
I've got a felling it involves the word Manfrotto .... am I warm ?
Ian
P.S. Thanks for the help.

 

[Georgi]

Ian, did you look at the panoramic pics I sent you
to?
Nice stuff eh?

Come to think of it, if you or someone else is interested, I would trade
BOTH my Gitzo tripods for a brand new 320. What I mean is that the buyer
orders teh 320 and they get both my tripods. Then they have both a large
and a small one for the price of one.
YOu take whichever unit you feel like carrying along.

George

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree
panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by
letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera
performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod
and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they
look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our
dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I
believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Georgi]

By the way, if you want to buy any of the stuff I mentioned, let me know
and I'll help you find it. I didn't answer your post to try to unload my

stuff. I did realize though that I had two tripods I didn't need. When I myself bought them

on e bay, I wasn't sure what they were as the guys selling them had no clue and Gitzo has around
50+ models.

NONE were the 320 that I personally wanted of course.

George

YOu also have to choose month and a year and they DO have many pics
there. Great stuff too.

You will also notice that when stitching together
an outdoor photo, you will get some light differences in the sky
that will give it away. I would look a couple of months back to when
I saw some gorgeous pics.

George

The best stuff in the world though. More than likely overkill for a little
digital camera but I've used it with one and it works great. The
advantage is that the head can be adjusted with a friction setting that
will take any size camera. From a little digital camera to a large format
camera. I know, I've tried. As for the panoramic shots, I have seen
quite a few of those lately on a site and they are gorgeous.
Maybe you could write and ask the individual guys how they did it.
I've found some gorgeous pics and there and have even received permission]
to use a few of them.
http://www.digitalphotocontest.com/archivemain.asp

George

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree
panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by
letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera
performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod
and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they
look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our
dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I
believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

 

[Roy Dankman]

Look for the Hakuba brand carbon fiber tripod . I paid about $300 (US) and it is great for digitals and pano work. Local camera shop owner sold his Gitzo and is using this brand. Very light and compact and very strong.

 

[Georgi]

Or, ask professionals that are on the move what they use.
Not what your local photostore owner uses.

Also, if you look in the store to see what they sell and compare
to the equipment pros use, you'll also see the difference.

The same difference why people buy cheap compact cameras and pros
buy $7000 camera bodies.

As for the price, you can get a new gitzo for the same money and I bet
anything you can destroy another tripod with the gitzo and still have a great
working tripod.

You can buy ANY tripod and chances are it'll do the job, but i was simply pointing
out the BEST equipment there is.

Call the people that sell them all and ask them.

For instance, the HUGE camera stores in NYC. Go to bhphoto.com and get their number and call them and ask them what brand is the best brand.
The gitzo will outlive you.

George

 

[Doug Kucyk]

Ian,

I have taken some nice panoramic's without a tripod and found the stitching software is really important.. This is a very good product for free. I also have a 505. http://www.panoramafactory.com/download.html

Doug

Hi,

I own a DSC-F505 and am interested in branching out into 360 degree
panoramic photography. I was wondering if anybody could assist me by
letting me know what experiences they have had with this camera
performing this type of photography - and more importantly which tripod
and tripod head you have used.

I've looked at the Kaiden Kiwi range of panoramic heads and while they
look excellent they're pretty expensive (especially when one of our
dollars is 57 cents US). Bogen also make a head for this purpose though I
believe it's very heavy and cumbersome.

If anyone can help me I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Ian