Is this a panoramic head?

Brazo · 31 May 2018

I wish to try a panoramic tripod head to take some panoramic scenes. Not 360’s just to get more of a scene in.

I have seen this one which says panoramic but all the gumpf is about being a ‘gimbal’ for long lens togging.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00KWA68LI#Ask

Ta!

PhilH04 · 31 May 2018

Definitely not a panoramic head sorry... that is a gimbal head specifically meant to aid the balance and movement of longer lenses, and definitely not suited to mounting anything without a lens tripod collar...

This is a low cost Panoramic head, but probably overkill when starting out...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fotga-pano...7763533&sr=8-23&keywords=panorama+head+tripod

What tripod head do you have at present as you should be able to pan with that...

mikew · 31 May 2018

Not sure what your looking for but
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QP69...mp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp&noLL=1#Ask

Kodiak Qc · 31 May 2018

•

No, it isn't. To many students though, I will recommend to get such
gimbal head as it is suited to execute panoramas as well if used a-
long a proper tripod mounted levelling base to fine tune the ever so
critically important horizon in many types of photography.

The "real" panoramic head will not be very useful in say… wildlife
photography for example. HTH, Mark!

ecoleman · 31 May 2018

It's panoramic in the sense that it has a swivel base.

It's not a true panoramic head. It is a Gimbal, usually used by photographers with long lenses.

Brazo · 31 May 2018

Thanks all. I will continue my search for a panoramic head. Just need one to help reduce parralax error to make stitching 3-4 images together easier from a vista.

ecoleman · 31 May 2018

Brazo said:
Thanks all. I will continue my search for a panoramic head. Just need one to help reduce parralax error to make stitching 3-4 images together easier from a vista.

If you're photographing large vistas then I wouldn't worry about parallax. You just need to make sure the camera is level. A levelling base can help with that.
The only time parallax should cause you issues would be if you are photographing small spaces such as rooms.

PhilH04 · 31 May 2018

Brazo said:
Thanks all. I will continue my search for a panoramic head. Just need one to help reduce parralax error to make stitching 3-4 images together easier from a vista.

Have a look at the one that I linked to in my reply above, that will allow you to set the axis to the entrance pupil in order to reduce parallax.... but note what Elliot says above.

Kodiak Qc said:
I will recommend to get such
gimbal head as it is suited to execute panoramas

Don't be silly, it is not suited at all !

Kodiak Qc · 31 May 2018

PhilH04 said:
Don't be silly, it is not suited at all !

PhilH04 said:
and definitely not suited to mounting anything without a lens tripod collar...

I am surprised to get such replies from a scientific photographer.
I started my career as one and I still do my homework since my
students count on me to guide them appropriately.

Did you really read Elliott's correct comment…

ecoleman said:
The only time parallax should cause you issues would be if you are photographing small spaces such as rooms.

ecoleman · 31 May 2018

Kodiak Qc said:
Did you really read Elliott's correct comment…

Small spaces such as rooms was probably a poor example. It's the first thing that sprung to mind.
Parallax will cause issues where you have something fairly close to the lens such as a fence post or person.

For large vistas you won't have problems.

Kodiak Qc · 31 May 2018

ecoleman said:
Parallax will cause issues where you have something fairly close to the lens such as a fence post or person.

I understood that, Elliott, and I didn't feel the need to correcting your comment.

PhilH04 · 31 May 2018

Kodiak Qc said:
I am surprised to get such replies from a scientific photographer.
I started my career as one and I still do my homework since my
students count on me to guide them appropriately.

Did you really read Elliott's correct comment…

Obviously a language problem here... Go back and read the threads, my replies are correct and I pointed out to the OP to take note of Elliots post

My 'don't be silly' comment refers to your suggesting a gimbal head is suitable for panoramas, the only way such a head is useable for a pan is when the lens has a tripod collar !!!

I am surprised that someone who professes to be an educator can reply in such a silly way !!!

Kodiak Qc · 31 May 2018

PhilH04 said:
your suggesting a gimbal head is suitable for panoramas, the only way such a head is useable for a pan is when the lens has a tripod collar !!!

This is not experienced at all… on the contrary.
What are rails for then?

Even with the language barrier, I would not call anyone "silly".

End of my contribution to this thread, sorry Mark.

PhilH04 · 31 May 2018

Kodiak Qc said:
This is not experienced at all… on the contrary.
What are rails for then?

Even with the language barrier, I would not call anyone "silly".

End of my contribution to this thread, sorry Mark.

Suit yourself... An explanation of how to use a gimbal to create a pan wouldn't go amiss !

sk66 · 31 May 2018

Brazo said:
Thanks all. I will continue my search for a panoramic head. Just need one to help reduce parralax error to make stitching 3-4 images together easier from a vista.

You don't need a panoramic head for that. All you really need is a nodal rail, or even just an extra long mounting (arca swiss) plate mounted perpendicular to the camera body. If your tripod head has top mounted panning axis (i.e. Arca Swiss P-0, Z1-dp, etc) you don't need a leveling base either.

I guess you don't actually *need* a leveling base in any case; it's just a lot easier. You can add top mounting panning to any tripod head with an accessory panning clamp like Mike linked to.