Nodal Ninja 3

Nikolai · August 10, 2007

I found this pano system by accident. Anybody familiar with it? Good? Lame? :dunno
TIA! :thumb

hgernhardtjr · August 10, 2007

I have it and use it. Very well made and does a good job. Bill gets back to you promptly if you have questions -- use the NodalNinja home site: http://www.nodalninja.com/ for all kinds of FAQs and other info.

However, while everything tightly fits, the stretchy soft cases are a joke (oversize eyeglass cases) — only a slight negative in my opinion.

Set up is easy once you have found the nodal points for your camera and whatever lense(s) you might be using. It works great with my 10-17 Tokina fish, as well as my 50mm. Full spherical panos are very easy (if you have the appropriate stitching software).

If you've never done QTVR panos, you will have a lot to learn and a lot of fun exploring this nifty photographic venue!

flyingpylon · August 10, 2007

I've been interested in the Nodal Ninja too. Note that it's cheaper at the official Nodal Ninja site.

I have an older Panosaurus and it works pretty well (and was much cheaper) but it's quite bulky. The Nodal Ninja appears to be very small and lightweight, which is great as long as it's still strong and stable enough to do the job.

I believe there have been discussions about it over at Max Lyons' forums .

Nikolai · August 10, 2007

hgernhardtjr wrote:

I have it and use it. Very well made and does a good job. Bill gets back to you promptly if you have questions -- use the NodalNinja home site: http://www.nodalninja.com/ for all kinds of FAQs and other info.

However, while everything tightly fits, the stretchy soft cases are a joke (oversize eyeglass cases) — only a slight negative in my opinion.

Set up is easy once you have found the nodal points for your camera and whatever lense(s) you might be using. It works great with my 10-17 Tokina fish, as well as my 50mm. Full spherical panos are very easy (if you have the appropriate stitching software).

If you've never done QTVR panos, you will have a lot to learn and a lot of fun exploring this nifty photographic venue!

Thank you!
One thing that concerns me (mostly due to the lack of any info yet) is if it has Arca-Swiss compatible QR clamp, or at least cat take one without compromising the design. It looks like it has certain size restrictoin, and 30D + BG-E2 + L bracket + QR clamp may top it

Or do you use body only? Do you screw it on each time?
TIA!

hgernhardtjr · August 10, 2007

Since I do not use mine a whole lot (couple times a month), Nikolai, I just screw it onto the 30D. Doing a pano takes a bit of set-up time; since I have noted my alignment points it just takes a few seconds to get everything in place on the NodalNinja. I think the grip and bracket and clamp might be too much weight or perhaps be too large for proper adjusting of the lens/arm assembly.

Contact Bill directly at the contact given on their web site and I am sure he will promptly get back to you (he has for me when I first purchased last year). That site also lists what cameras it will support and has a downloadable PDF instruction manual for you to puruse.

For your convenience, here's where you can get the manual: http://www.nodalninja.com/nodal_ninja_user_manual.html

Here's the camera compatibility list: http://www.nodalninja.com/camera_list.html

And here's the contact info: http://www.nodalninja.com/contact.html

Again, I am very pleased with the professional construction, cost, and ease of use with my camera and lenses (once you figure out the various nodal points!).

Nikolai · August 10, 2007

hgernhardtjr wrote:

Since I do not use mine a whole lot (couple times a month), Nikolai, I just screw it onto the 30D. Doing a pano takes a bit of set-up time; since I have noted my alignment points it just takes a few seconds to get everything in place on the NodalNinja. I think the grip and bracket and clamp might be too much weight or perhaps be too large for proper adjusting of the lens/arm assembly.

Contact Bill directly at the contact given on their web site and I am sure he will promptly get back to you (he has for me when I first purchased last year). That site also lists what cameras it will support and has a downloadable PDF instruction manual for you to puruse.

For your convenience, here's where you can get the manual: http://www.nodalninja.com/nodal_ninja_user_manual.html

Here's the camera compatibility list: http://www.nodalninja.com/camera_list.html

And here's the contact info: http://www.nodalninja.com/contact.html

Again, I am very pleased with the professional construction, cost, and ease of use with my camera and lenses (once you figure out the various nodal points!).

Thank you once again, I will check it out!

Jermbubba · August 11, 2007

Nikolai, i too have the NN3 ! best around for price! just make sure ur camera is not to large for it. ... have you tried 360's yet? any idea on what your setup is or will be? please let me know if you need any help. have fun its very addicting.
j

Nikolai · August 11, 2007

Jermbubba wrote:

Nikolai, i too have the NN3 ! best around for price! just make sure ur camera is not to large for it. ... have you tried 360's yet? any idea on what your setup is or will be? please let me know if you need any help. have fun its very addicting.
j

Thanks!
No I don't know... I have two 30D bodies, one with BG-E2 and normally a wider lens (17-55 or 10-22) and one "bare" that usually carries 70-200 or 100-400.
I was simply hoping for a decent pano kit on a cheap since RRS setup seems a bit expensive... NN3 seems to almost fit the bill....

Nodal Ninja 3

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