Create a Heavy Duty Multi-Row Panorama Head

The release of the 5/8" thick Hejnar PHOTO G15/16 Series of Multi-Purpose Rails quite a long time ago, inspired me to start studying and further improve the design of my Arca compatible Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II .

Well, there is nothing wrong with the Ver II Panorama Head sturdiness or functionality as it is, but I wanted to push the limits farther.

This time the goal was to construct a Panorama (Panoramic) Head that would withstand even more heavy loads at an offset position, like heavy long telephoto and/or zoom lenses for HDR / Gigapixel Panoramic photography, or medium format cameras and their lenses, with the absence of any vibration.

The project passed different phases, from defining the needs, to testing and finding the limitations of rails, panoramic rotators, ball heads or leveling bases and all the links in the support chain in general.

Updated Sunwayfoto DYH-90i and DYH-90Ri Leveling Bases Released

About a year ago Sunwayfoto had introduced their mid-sized DYH-90 and DYH-90R Leveling bases combined with their Discal Screw-Knob and large Duo Lever/Screw-Knob Release clamps.
Both models were then reviewed in Sunwayfoto DYH-90 Leveling Base Review and Sunwayfoto DYH-90R Leveling Base Review respectively; while I was left under the impression that the stand alone (meaning without a quick release clamp bundled) versions had also the same improved characteristics.

Hejnar PHOTO G21-80 5/8 MPR/Vertical Rail Review

Hejnar PHOTO G21-80 Multipurpose / Vertical Rail belongs to the same family of G20 rails as the G20-10 5/8 Multi Purpose Rail reviewed in September 2012.

This new rail is the outcome of the continues and very fruitful cooperation I have with another restless mind Mr. Chris Hejnar of Hejnar Photo.

Although the idea for a heavy duty multi-row panoramic head, was inspired by the introduction of Hejnar Photo G15/G16 series of rails quite sometime ago, there were minor details when using them as vertical rails that could not be fulfilled by those, so we had to go back to the drawing board.

G21-10 addresses specific requirements of a panoramic head vertical rail, while it can also be utilized in other solutions. Here's the magic versatility of Arca-Swiss® compatible gear.

New Arca Conversion for Manfrotto 400 Geared Head by Hejnar PHOTO

It seems there is an increasing adoption of the truly versatile Arca-Swiss® rail and plate system between the medium and large frame camera users.

After the very successful Manfrotto 405/410 Geared Head Arca conversion set, Hejnar PHOTO has recently released a conversion adapter with Arca compatible clamp for the all mighty (in volume and weight) Manfrotto 400 Precision Geared Head.

Sunwayfoto DYH-90R Leveling Base Review

Based on the sturdy Sunwayfoto DYH-90 Leveling Base, DYH-90R represents one of its variations equipped with a heavy duty panning top platform, thus the R at the end of the model name.
Although it is a variation it may stand as a different model by itself for review, since the panning top platform adds another dimension to the leveling base, expanding its functionality and making it most appropriate for use with large format cameras.

Sunwayfoto DYH-90 Leveling Base Review

The Sunwayfoto Leveling Base line is currently comprised by three models.
Sunwayfoto DYH-66i reviewed last month (Nov 2012) is the entry level model, while the DYH-90 stands in the middle and the DYH-120TRO heavy weight tops the line.
Model DYH-90 forms its own series within the line by offering four different variations with added functionality.
Here we shall have a deeper look in the basic model, the plain DYH-90 which represents the base where all variations are built upon.

Triopo GX-1328 Carbon Fiber Classic Tripod Review

For the past six months, I have been engaged in the process of preparing and testing the structure of a new Heavy Duty Panorama Head.
Among other findings, I reached the conclusion that the tripod used as a support up to now would not be capable of holding the excess offset load. The bending in the center column hub, under full load, indicated that it had reached its limits.
Off we go again for the quest of a new tripod.

Create a Heavy Duty Long Lens Support Bracket

The benefits of a Long Lens Support Bracket (LLSB) were explained extensively in my article Ideas for a Long Lens Support Bracket (Part 1) in the past.
Although the LLSB I had presented then, was and still is sufficient for the load of my lenses, having the new Hejnar PHOTO F51 Dual Clamp and thicker  Hejnar PHOTO G16-80 Multi Purpose Rail in my hands, was somehow inevitable not to try assembling a more robust and sturdy LSSB for evaluation.