tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post8049745284408552122..comments2024-03-15T15:10:22.193+02:00Comments on S.C.V. Photography Ideas: Sunwayfoto Revised 2014 version DDH-03i Panning Clamp ReviewUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-7818446717522865352015-01-13T08:11:39.914+02:002015-01-13T08:11:39.914+02:00SV,
I agree , but sometimes I just can't pass...SV,<br /><br />I agree , but sometimes I just can't pass up the opportunity to tinker !!<br /> I should have perhaps just sent it back BUT in all other respects it works perfectly, and I know it does from physical tests.............. and besides I got it for a very good price and who knows the DDH-05 might have the same issue or others :-).......<br /><br />Again thank you so much for your assistance and "ideas".<br /><br />AndrewAJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-89809323817471736562015-01-13T01:23:45.486+02:002015-01-13T01:23:45.486+02:00I know, so I mentioned. :)
"Fortunately"...I know, so I mentioned. :)<br />"Fortunately" or "Unfortunately" not everyone is keen on handling tools, therefore the mark misplacement has to be added to the Cons of the 2014 DDH-03i.<br />Since anyway DDH-03i is replaced by DDH-05 will have to verify the latter is correctly engraved. Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-6866335434121462532015-01-13T01:23:04.771+02:002015-01-13T01:23:04.771+02:00Link to FP-250 photos showing cross shaped M3 scre...Link to FP-250 photos showing cross shaped M3 screw holes<br /><br />http://fittestphoto.com/en/universal-quick-release-plates/152-fp-200-multi-purpose-plate-rail.htmlAJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-49064412781552647462015-01-13T01:04:40.008+02:002015-01-13T01:04:40.008+02:00SV,
Your methods of attaching the DDH-03i to the ...SV,<br /><br />Your methods of attaching the DDH-03i to the rail are absolutely available and valid. Indeed I tried both but preferred my other option for a couple of reasons;<br /><br />a) There is absolutely no play or twist at all using the m3 screws<br />b) I am using the FP-250 as the vertical rail, with height adjustment provided by an FVR-200 in the horizontal. (ie the whole rail slides vertically in the FVR's clamp).<br />c) The m3 screw method allows me to quickly swap out the DDH-03i for a simple FC-50s clamp attached in the same manner, when the panning clamp is not needed. <br /><br />In fact a any clamp with a "+ " or single slot " -" indent in its base can be attached this way.AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-14629331800119908232015-01-13T00:27:49.384+02:002015-01-13T00:27:49.384+02:00"However, this will only cause a problem if t..."However, this will only cause a problem if the panning clamp is used vertically.".....which is exactly how I intend to use it unfortunately.<br /><br />I think the "workaround" is to simply use ONLY the properly aligned marker OR if that is too problematic in real life use , take a Dremel or an awl and etch a small spot to the right of the "misaligned " marker in the correct position? <br /><br />I have opted for the second option, after dismantling the base form the clamp, so as not to cause any damage to the index scale in the event of a slip with the Dremel/Awl. <br />It worked fine and I now have a 0.30 mm spot in the correct alignment on the bubble level side , with the original misaligned Φ mark coloured red to its left ~1.5 degrees.<br />All Good!<br />AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-43926932581782679412015-01-12T23:38:11.014+02:002015-01-12T23:38:11.014+02:00You are right about the "photos" of the ...You are right about the "photos" of the FP-200 having the holes and the FP-250 "photos" showing no such holes. I was surprised when the FP-250 arrived with the holes in place but quite happy in the end that they were there :-)<br /><br />I suspect, like many of the newer Chinese sites, the product photos need updating. I have since found various sellers on Aliexpress dot com that show the FP-250 with the holes in place.AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-62333527348735485902015-01-12T23:36:02.215+02:002015-01-12T23:36:02.215+02:00Thanks for pointing this out. I shall report the i...Thanks for pointing this out. I shall report the issue to Sunwayfoto so they improve their QC.<br /><br />Indeed the Φ mark on the bubble level side of the 2014 version of DDH-03i is offset by ~1,5° to the left in reference to the one on the opposite side which seems properly aligned and centered between the jaws.<br />However, this will only cause a problem if the panning clamp is used vertically.Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-79331382080957253762015-01-12T23:05:57.582+02:002015-01-12T23:05:57.582+02:00Fitting a clamp back to back on the DDH-03i for us...Fitting a clamp back to back on the DDH-03i for use as a vertical rotator is the Sunwayfoto way in order make it easier for it to slide up-down on the vertical rail. Quite versatile but with increased weight, bulk and cost as trade offs.<br /><br />However, as long as there are 4 x 1/4"-20 threaded holes at the bottom/back of DDH-03i (intended for mounting either the Arca mount plate or the DDY-58 clamp) I would either use one center 1/4"-20 countershunk socket screw and a short 1/4"-20 cap captive screw in one of the 4 holes through the captive slot of the vertical rail, or two short 1/4"-20 cap captive screw through the captive slot.<br /><br />Anyway, your method of attachment is also well calculated!<br />Somehow, in the site you mentioned, the FP-250 does not seem to have the hole arrangement you describe but the FP-200 does. I guess they are the same then.Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-85367153167756778082015-01-12T08:01:39.636+02:002015-01-12T08:01:39.636+02:00SV,
As mentioned I recently acquired a 2014 versi...SV,<br /><br />As mentioned I recently acquired a 2014 version DDH-03i panning clamp.<br /><br />I have only now noticed that either the index scale marks OR the alignment markers are OUT.<br />When I place one of the alignment markers on 0 degrees and lock the panning down , the opposite marker aligns to ~181-181.5 degrees. Not a big deal in itself but it does tell me that at least 1 and maybe 2 of the index marks are not aligned exactly with the "cross" indent on the base or the plate mounting holes on the base.<br />Checking by eye only it appears that one of the alignment marks is out because if I use one ( call it mark A) and align it to 0 the opposing marker is out by ~1-1.5 degrees but the centres of the Clamp knob and Pan Lock knob appear centred at 270 and 90 . Using Mark B on 0, the apposite mark is out by ~1-1.5 degrees AND so are the centres of both knobs.<br /><br />Whilst this is not an insurmountable problem , Sunwayfoto should address this in subsequent models. to overcame any issue I have simply coloured the "misaligned " Marker with a Red marker pen to distinguish it from the other.<br /><br />I would be interested to learn if this "issue" is isolated to my copy or common to the model?AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-53423795598996275362015-01-12T07:16:29.946+02:002015-01-12T07:16:29.946+02:00SV you are almost completely correct in your descr...SV you are almost completely correct in your description of the match ups!<br /><br />I am planning to try the FVR-200 as the horizontal rail clamped by the FSC-64 with the FP-250 clamped in the vertical position.<br /><br />Why?....because I can attach the DDH-03i directly to the FP-250 in a secure anti twist manner without it being attached back to back to another clamp using a MPP-01 mini mate plate, and still have the ability to easily vary the height of the nodal slide panning clamp. ( ie reduce the # of required clamps X 1 without losing functionality). <br /><br />How?......The DDH-03i is attached to the FP-250 with a 14/20 UNC countersunk socket screw with anti twist provided by way of 2 X M3 stop screws ( 4 supplied with DMP-200R)) fitted into the FP-250 rail. The rail conveniently has four M3 holes surrounding the centre 1/4-20 UNC centre hole @ 90 degree intervals ,on the end opposite its bubble level. The heads of these screws then fit snugly into the indent "cross" on DDH-03i's base, providing a very secure non-twisting attachment.<br /><br /><br />Note: I did have to file approx. 0.25mm of the height of the M3 screws in order to have the ddh-03i sitting perfectly flat on the rail however, but this was easily done. (Interestingly the same "cross" indent on the base of the FSC-65 accommodated the M3 screws without the need for filing)<br /><br />AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-25878928811322666252015-01-12T06:21:31.369+02:002015-01-12T06:21:31.369+02:00Thanks for the update SV.
FYI , I managed to get ...Thanks for the update SV.<br /><br />FYI , I managed to get hold of a 2014 version DDH-03i and can verify it holds 5 kgs cantilevered 150mm, and easily handles a 5Diii with EF 70-200 F2.8 IS II .<br /><br />Interesting changes on the DDH-05/06, but I am not sure the 2/3 turn improvement is really that necessary or desirable.....but to some others it may be! I'm also not sure why the "long-tongue" design is required in order to widen the jaw ? Surely that could be achieved with the 3 pin setup?AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-20503601995704425282015-01-07T19:26:32.629+02:002015-01-07T19:26:32.629+02:00According to my latest information from Sunwayfoto...According to my latest information from Sunwayfoto, further to the DDH-05 they are also releasing a DDH-02i replacement the DDH-06.<br />As stated in their email, both new panning clamps revert to the older design long- tongue moving jaw in order to widen the jaw increasing the contact area, though the major point of these releases is, that now only 2/3 of a turn is required to unlock/lock the screw knob clamp.<br />This is a major improvement, since unlocking/locking has become as fast as a lever release.<br /><br />More in the upcoming DDH-05 hands-on review.Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-76318779855786047322015-01-07T19:02:13.599+02:002015-01-07T19:02:13.599+02:00Judging from your description, you'll end up w...Judging from your description, you'll end up with a nice and stable pano rig, since clamps plates and rails are teaming up perfectly.<br />The Sunwayfoto PCL-5Diii will be clamped by DMP-200R further clamped by DDH-03i.<br />The Fittest FVR-200 will clamp on the FP-250 which in turn will be clamped by the FSC-64 disc clamp.<br /><br />Therefore, I don't see any mismatch whatsoever. Well done!Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-77463012557772986752015-01-06T11:52:33.910+02:002015-01-06T11:52:33.910+02:00SV,
Received a 250 mm rail today from a site call...SV,<br /><br />Received a 250 mm rail today from a site called armorport dot com as well as a 64 mm round clamp. Basically the site is the shopfront for a factory in Shenzen that makes "Fittest" and maybe "Desmond" clamps and rails etc.<br /><br />Anyway, the rail is well finished but the dovetail edge is one of the biggest I have seen and the Jaw depth of the clamp is 5.05 mm. Together they are fine but when the rail is teamed with a sunwayfoto clamp , I understood your comments even more. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong the Sunway clamp still works fine with the rail but compared to the Kirk clamp the surface contact area of the jaws is much less, but a little more than the Acratech which surprised me. The "Fittest" 64 mm clamp , when teamed with the "Fittest" rail or the Sunwayfoto rail had the greatest contact area of all however.<br /><br />I have ordered the FVR-200 vertical rail from the same site because of this clamping characteristic and the quality of the 250mm rail received today, as part of my project to build a "budget pano head" for under $450 including shipping (excluding levelling base) <br />So far , based primarily on on your recommendations and ideas , I am on target using a dedicated Sunwayfoto L Plate (PCL-5Diii), 200 mm nodal rail (DMP-200R), and Panning Clamp (DDH-03i ordered), and Armorport.com 250mm base rail (FP-250) and 64mm clamp (FSC-64). <br /><br />I will ultilise an existing Feisol PB 70 as the panning base, and an existing Acratech levelling base<br /><br />A bit of a "mongrel" I admit....but it will do the job I think!. AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-37644694986927742262015-01-06T04:31:09.959+02:002015-01-06T04:31:09.959+02:00Thank you too AJS for your thoughtful comments and...Thank you too AJS for your thoughtful comments and contribution.Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-49727399413725887472015-01-05T23:40:55.204+02:002015-01-05T23:40:55.204+02:00Thanks SV and you are right again!!Thanks SV and you are right again!!AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-4968310933744005352015-01-05T22:14:37.712+02:002015-01-05T22:14:37.712+02:00You are correct in your measurements, somehow ther...You are correct in your measurements, somehow there is a conformity between different manufacturer clamp jaw heights and plate dovetail edge radius (meaning how fine is the radius of the cutting tool around the edge).<br />The finer the dovetail (bevel) edge the shorter clamp jaw height required to clamp it perfectly as the original Sunwayfoto dovetail width is 39mm with very fine bevel edges. . <br />The recent Sunway "R" version plates which are RRS compatible are different.<br />The example of RRS, Wimberley, Hejnar, Kirk plates featuring an 1" (38,1mm) wide dovetail with more blunt bevel edges, requires higher clamp jaws.<br />In order to make it more clear for the readers, I'll try to make some drawings and put this info in an article about "Arca_Swiss compatibility assessment" describing how different manufacturers realize this compatibility.Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-68745526038052181502015-01-05T21:42:38.510+02:002015-01-05T21:42:38.510+02:00As I had mentioned in the article, the lack of dis...As I had mentioned in the article, the lack of discrimination marks between the "versions" causes much confusion. The only way to know which DDH-03i is which, is to contact the vendor directly. Avoiding confusion and frustration may be one of the reasons behind the release of the DDH-05....Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-40874928594353122062015-01-05T05:30:24.293+02:002015-01-05T05:30:24.293+02:00Your point on an apparently shallower jaw height a...Your point on an apparently shallower jaw height and its impact in creating less clamping contact surface on the Sunwayfoto clamp V others might be worth rechecking .<br /><br />I have Kirk and Acratech clamps and a Sunwayfoto nodal slider with integrated clamp, so was able to check using some manual Vernier calipers.<br /><br />On checking the from the TOP surface of the movable jaws to the bottom surface of the plate channel I found the Kirk to be ~4.26 mm, the Acratech ~4.50 mm , and the Sunwayfoto ~4.05 which agrees with your point.<br /><br />However the top edge bevel on the Sunway clamp slopes backwards and is much finer than the straight bevels of the Kirk and Acratech clamps. The Kirk has an edge depth of ~0.7mm and the Acratech ~1.0mm whilst the Sunway has and edge of ~.0.5-0.6mm<br /><br />To get the actual jaw "gap" height I then deducted the edge distance from the original measurements to get ;<br /><br />KIRK 3.56mm<br />Acratech 3.5 mm<br />Sunway 3.45-3.55mm<br /><br />I understand my measurements were done manually and may well be a little out but the differences in effective jaw height are not that much or have I missed something ?<br /><br />Just as important as jaw height are the size of the edge bevels on the various plates available AND the bevels on the jaw edges. The finer the bevel the greater the contact area for any given clamp.<br />AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-12024892548854586362015-01-05T03:50:42.665+02:002015-01-05T03:50:42.665+02:00Thanks SV
I look forward to your findings!...in t...Thanks SV<br /><br />I look forward to your findings!...in the meantime if I can find a 2014 version of the DDH-03i that I can be 100% sure of, I'll buy it. The problem for me however , and Sunwayfoto , is that the descriptions and photos on vendors sites for the DDH-03i model(s) are identical regardless of the "versions"...................AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-24757038868164005962015-01-05T02:24:49.029+02:002015-01-05T02:24:49.029+02:00Unfortunately, we are on the same boat regarding t...Unfortunately, we are on the same boat regarding the effectiveness and/or the reasoning behind the changes on DDH-05.<br />However, I'm expecting a review sample hopefully soon, upon receipt of which I'll be able to give some substantiated answers, especially for the panning lock torque.Sotiris C. Vlachoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262681544193811712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603072406405307469.post-45231811041525383802015-01-04T06:11:18.042+02:002015-01-04T06:11:18.042+02:00Good Update but now I am totally confused by Sunwa...Good Update but now I am totally confused by SunwayFoto.<br /><br />I tried sourcing the 2014 version of the 03i but was informed by Sunwayfoto that it had been superseded by the DDH-05. OK I thought, but on checking the images available for the DDH-05 it appears it has reverted to some "old" 03 characteristics. It again has a flat Clamp channel without the bevelled entry/exit edges and has a "tongue" guide for the moving jhaw as opposed to the 3 X Pins that were implemented on the 03i as an improvement.<br /><br />Not sure what all this means in terms of panning lock torque , but that is the most important question I have , and now it remains again unanswered....at least for the DDH-05. I am intending to use the panning clamp primarily in the vertical orientation so the torque is important<br /><br />Any assistance appreciated <br />AJ SMITHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037733949853213667noreply@blogger.com