Which NN model or set is best for me?

[Krx]

Hello

After spending hours and hours on net in order to find best pano head for me,
finally I decided that NN could be the solution.
Because NN offers a lot of various pieces and systems I'm wondering which one would be the best for my purpose.

My main goal is to produce spherical panoramas tours for indoor and smaller outdoor areas.
Already obtained gear:
Olympus e-520
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 8mm 1:3.5 Fisheye lens
Vanguard Tracker B-100 tripod with ball head.
From time to time I will also do other than spherical panoramas with Zuiko ED 12-60mm lens.

Questions:
Is NN good choice for that gear?
As I can see, NN3 would be the best choice for me because I dont have plans (for now ) to shoot with big heavy lenses and cameras.
Should I buy some other pieces (plates, rings, platforms) specific to my gear?
Can you suggest best (best-buy) combo set for me?

How are NN rotators mounted onto tripods?
Screwed onto tripod top and secured with extra screws,
or I could attach it onto my own mounting platform and have fast swap ability.

I want to avoid option where I need to remove my default (Vanguard SBH-100) tripod head in order to fit NN set.

Thanks.

Regards and Happy N.Y.

[Bill Bailey]

Hi Krx,
Welcome to our forum.
NN3 MKII pkg is your best choice: http://store.nodalninja.com/NN3_p/n3ii-pkg.htm
The package will have extra rings including the 45 degree ring for your 8mm lens ( 8 shots around) and extra rings for shooting at other focal lengths. You'll also get the camera plate for more secure mounting to Nodal Ninja and a nice hard shelled case. No problem mounting this to your tripod/ball head.
Hope this helps, if not please let us know how we can further assist you.
Thank you for chosen Nodal Ninja and Happy New Year!
Bill

[Terrywoodenpic]

How are NN rotators mounted onto tripods?
Screwed onto tripod top and secured with extra screws,
or I could attach it onto my own mounting platform and have fast swap ability.

I want to avoid option where I need to remove my default (Vanguard SBH-100) tripod head in order to fit NN set.

Thanks.

Regards and Happy N.Y.

Hi

NN rotators can be mounted with either a 1/4 or 3/8 normal tripod screw.

You can alternatively fix a QR plate to the bottom of the the rotator so as to mount it on to a suitable tripod that way.
The thing to remember is the more bits and pieces you put between the tripod top and the NN the more the chance of things flexing.

However if you chose good quality items to match that of the build of your NN you should have few if any problems.

I attach my NN3-11 Directly to the top of my manfrotto 055 Pro B
Many others use an EZ-leveller Or ball head. It is simply a matter of personal workflow and choice.

[Krx]

Hi

Thanks for both replies.
Can you also suggest what else would I might need of extra parts which aren't supplied in suggested package?
Like I said, for now I will use NN head with already purchased Vanguard Tracker B-100 tripod with SBH-100 ballhead attached.
I'll try to attach NN onto tripod head with quick release clamp.
Because my Oly E-520 + both previously mentioned lenses aren't too heavy that should work OK.

Are detent rings supplied in suggested package sufficient to support 8mm fisheye and other 12-60 lens in both hor. and vertical orientation?
Should I also purchase Rail Stops to avoid finding nodal point when switching between my 2 lenses?
Or I could just carve 2 marks into NN arm

Regards

[nick fan]

I'll try to attach NN onto tripod head with quick release clamp.

Does your tripod has a QR built-in? if not, what QR will you use?

Nick

[Krx]

Does your tripod has a QR built-in? if not, what QR will you use?

That's tripod:
http://www.vanguardusa.com/product4.php?id=468
With this head:
http://www.vanguardusa.com/product4.php?id=265

I know that I can mount NN straight to tripod without ballhead,
but I was wondering if I could also use 2nd provided plate mount onto NN
and have leveling and quick release capability

[Terrywoodenpic]

That's tripod:
http://www.vanguardusa.com/product4.php?id=468
With this head:
http://www.vanguardusa.com/product4.php?id=265

I know that I can mount NN straight to tripod without ballhead,
but I was wondering if I could also use 2nd provided plate mount onto NN
and have leveling and quick release capability

There is no reason why you could not attach the spare plate to the base of the rotator.
It may or may not be quite as firm as screwing direct, but many people do this with other makes of quick releases.

[nick fan]

That's tripod:
http://www.vanguardusa.com/product4.php?id=468
With this head:
http://www.vanguardusa.com/product4.php?id=265

I know that I can mount NN straight to tripod without ballhead,
but I was wondering if I could also use 2nd provided plate mount onto NN
and have leveling and quick release capability

what is the dovetail angle used by your QR? 45 deg or 60 deg? what is the dimensions at the base of the QR plate?


Nick

[Krx]

Hi

If dovetail angle means tilt angle of head its 45¬? overall and 90¬? in one position for portrait orientation.

QR plate size is: 48mm x 50mm
10mm thick and its made from magnesium alloy

Plate doesn't have locking popup pin.

With this tripod I got two QR plates - same dimensions but with 2 different mounting screw sizes,
standard and bigger diameter (QS-41 and QS-43)

Cheers

[Krx]

Correction, tilt angle is 35¬?

[nick fan]

Correction, tilt angle is 35¬?

Can you take a photo with a ruler measuring lengths at the base of the QR plate? How do you get the tilt angle?
you can mail the images to nick at fanotec d o t com.
Can you get a standalone QR clamp for your plate? You need a clamp that can be mounted on the upper rail of NN in order to use the plate on camera.


Nick

[Krx]

My NN3 MKII package just arrived today and I'm happy panda now
NN is assembled, and it looks much better in real.
Now I only need sunny day + day off from the work to start playing with it.

Cheers