Can I put a panoramic still camera head on Vinten sticks? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Troiano · December 19th, 2012, 10:49 PM

Hi all.

I have a Vinten Vision Blue tripod. I'm trying to figure out what I'd need to get, so that I could use my legs with a panoramic head. From what I can tell, stick designed for still photo use, have a center column with a threaded screw up top, and the still camera head just screws onto it.

I'm wondering if anyone knows if there's a 75mm ball column thing, that if I removed my VB head, I could put on my sticks, then screw the panoramic head onto. My Vinten sticks are pretty weighty and I need a good sturdy base for what I want to do.

Anyone know anything bout this, or does it even make sense what I'm asking?

Trying to figure how I could my Vinten sticks with this 360 precision adjuste head

360Precision - Products | Adjuste | 360Precision Adjuste production information

Thanks for the help,
Jeff

Jeff Troiano · December 19th, 2012, 11:27 PM

Maybe I found my solution.

I have these legs (with the VB head)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/615665-REG/Vinten_3819_3_3819_3_Pozi_Loc_Aluminum_Tripod.html

Would this fit onto those legs?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553993-REG/Manfrotto_520BALL_520BALL_75mm_Half_Ball.html
Thanks for the help,
Jeff

Seth Bloombaum · December 19th, 2012, 11:54 PM

That 75mm half-ball is exactly what you need, assuming a 3/8" x 16tpi threaded socket on the bottom of your panorama head.

There are a few approaches to this though, you could also put a camera plate on the bottom of your pano head and put the whole thing on top of your existing video head for $2.50, use one of these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769749-REG/Oben_OB_1039_3_8_16_to_1_4_20_Reducer.htmlto adapt the 1/4" screw on the tripod plate to the 3/8" socket on the pano head.

But, yes, if you're going to do this a lot the half-ball solution will work more easily, having a lower center of gravity it will be easier to level. Level is extremely important in pano work... I've got a small torpedo level and a large bulls-eye level, both from my local home center, about $14 for the two of them.

Chris Soucy · December 20th, 2012, 12:18 AM

Question asked and answered, got it in one, well done, Jeff.

(Just in case that came across as "sarky", it wasn't, I do like to see people here answer their own questions with some investigation and maybe, just a bit of help from previous posts here, whatever.)

I just came across this "asked and answered" post, so haven't been waiting in the wings for this, not quite my style.

I do, however, think the general level of expertise and knowledge on camera support here on DVinfo has risen dramatically in the last 5 years, as seen in the quality of the questions and answers that appear here.

No, I don't think it's got anything to do with me, but it's sure great to see.

Bloody long way from where it was 5 years ago, when it was, quite simply, dire!

Once again, great to see you cracked it on your own, Jeff.

"You're gonna put me outa business, hey, maybe I get the boys to pay you a visit and show you whose boss around here, huh?"

"OK, folks, nothing to see here, just move along, simply another camera support murder, nothing new"

As if.

Still looking for a "me" replacement, you up for it?

CS

Jeff Troiano · December 20th, 2012, 12:42 AM

Thank you Seth!

And no problem at all Chis. I had browsed through the "still photo" tripod section of B&H's website, and wasn't seeing a solution. So I jumped on here and posted. Then I thought, well maybe I should look in the "video tripod" section. Since my legs are video legs.

Another reason I posted, thought I remembered reading in another thread, sometime ago. Someone was asking about using another manufactures head on Vinten legs, or a vinten head on someone else's legs (can't remember which). And I seem to think I remember there was some sort of conflict. And wasn't sure if that 75mm half ball would run in to that same issue.

December 19th, 2012, 10:49 PM	#1
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	Can I put a panoramic still camera head on Vinten sticks? Hi all. I have a Vinten Vision Blue tripod. I'm trying to figure out what I'd need to get, so that I could use my legs with a panoramic head. From what I can tell, stick designed for still photo use, have a center column with a threaded screw up top, and the still camera head just screws onto it. I'm wondering if anyone knows if there's a 75mm ball column thing, that if I removed my VB head, I could put on my sticks, then screw the panoramic head onto. My Vinten sticks are pretty weighty and I need a good sturdy base for what I want to do. Anyone know anything bout this, or does it even make sense what I'm asking? Trying to figure how I could my Vinten sticks with this 360 precision adjuste head 360Precision - Products \| Adjuste \| 360Precision Adjuste production information Thanks for the help, Jeff __________________ You motorboating SOB!

December 19th, 2012, 11:27 PM	#2
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	Re: Can I put a panoramic still camera head on Vinten sticks? Maybe I found my solution. I have these legs (with the VB head) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/615665-REG/Vinten_3819_3_3819_3_Pozi_Loc_Aluminum_Tripod.html Would this fit onto those legs? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553993-REG/Manfrotto_520BALL_520BALL_75mm_Half_Ball.html Thanks for the help, Jeff __________________ You motorboating SOB!

December 19th, 2012, 11:54 PM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: Can I put a panoramic still camera head on Vinten sticks? That 75mm half-ball is exactly what you need, assuming a 3/8" x 16tpi threaded socket on the bottom of your panorama head. There are a few approaches to this though, you could also put a camera plate on the bottom of your pano head and put the whole thing on top of your existing video head for $2.50, use one of these: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/769749-REG/Oben_OB_1039_3_8_16_to_1_4_20_Reducer.htmlto adapt the 1/4" screw on the tripod plate to the 3/8" socket on the pano head. But, yes, if you're going to do this a lot the half-ball solution will work more easily, having a lower center of gravity it will be easier to level. Level is extremely important in pano work... I've got a small torpedo level and a large bulls-eye level, both from my local home center, about $14 for the two of them. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

December 20th, 2012, 12:18 AM	#4
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Re: Can I put a panoramic still camera head on Vinten sticks? Question asked and answered, got it in one, well done, Jeff. (Just in case that came across as "sarky", it wasn't, I do like to see people here answer their own questions with some investigation and maybe, just a bit of help from previous posts here, whatever.) I just came across this "asked and answered" post, so haven't been waiting in the wings for this, not quite my style. I do, however, think the general level of expertise and knowledge on camera support here on DVinfo has risen dramatically in the last 5 years, as seen in the quality of the questions and answers that appear here. No, I don't think it's got anything to do with me, but it's sure great to see. Bloody long way from where it was 5 years ago, when it was, quite simply, dire! Once again, great to see you cracked it on your own, Jeff. "You're gonna put me outa business, hey, maybe I get the boys to pay you a visit and show you whose boss around here, huh?" "OK, folks, nothing to see here, just move along, simply another camera support murder, nothing new" As if. Still looking for a "me" replacement, you up for it? CS

December 20th, 2012, 12:42 AM	#5
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	Re: Can I put a panoramic still camera head on Vinten sticks? Thank you Seth! And no problem at all Chis. I had browsed through the "still photo" tripod section of B&H's website, and wasn't seeing a solution. So I jumped on here and posted. Then I thought, well maybe I should look in the "video tripod" section. Since my legs are video legs. Another reason I posted, thought I remembered reading in another thread, sometime ago. Someone was asking about using another manufactures head on Vinten legs, or a vinten head on someone else's legs (can't remember which). And I seem to think I remember there was some sort of conflict. And wasn't sure if that 75mm half ball would run in to that same issue. __________________ You motorboating SOB!