Create a Transportable Super Macro Rig

Although the idea for this Transportable Macro Rig initiated back in early 2014 based on the sturdy Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage (review) some recent updates and price drops made me update, enrich and republish the original article as the solution might be suitable to many macro photographers.

Article of S.C.V. Heavy Duty Multi-Row Panorama Head Updated

SCV Heavy Duty HDR Multi-Row Panorama Head with short 6" Nodal Rail

Quite after a long time from its initial release, the article about the concept of my Heavy Duty Multi Row Panorama Head was updated and refined according to the latest versions of the components.

Many times scheduled and postponed it's finally revived.

As a short reminder this Heavy Duty Multi Row Panorama Head structure was designed to cope with large telephoto lenses or large medium format cameras with minimal to none flex or vibrations.

Featuring Indexing Panoramic Rotators both on the vertical arm and the horizontal plain, plus an optional leveling base will give utmost versatility for the creation of standard to Gigapixel Panoramas.

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.

Create a Versatile O-Shape Macro Flash Bracket

My idea for an economical but versatile Macro Flash Bracket in circular O-shape, dates back in 2011 when I acquired my first Baling C-Shape Flash Bracket.

Since then, I had formed, reformed, tested and retested its functionality and stability, in various setups, but there was always something missing, setting me back from publishing about it.

However, the acquisition of the Hejnar PHOTO MS-3_8 Linear Motion Macro Focusing Stage lit up the spark once again.

The inclusion of a Macro Flash Bracket solution in a Transportable Super Macro Stage setup, I have been developing for some time, was very significant.

Create a Mini Multi-Row Panorama Head for Mirrorless Cameras

"After an enormous popular demand..." one moment please to get me down from the clouds..., well, after receiving a few e-mails from readers and a quite recent conversation in Panoramic Photographers on G+ Community I prepared this Arca-Swiss® compatible Mini Lightweight Multi Row Panorama Head especially for the users of small footprint ILC (Interchangeable - Lens - Compact) digital mirrorless cameras.

How to Upgrade Triopo GT-3228X8C Tripod with Retractable Steel Spikes

In my opinion, the most desirable upgrade on an older version Triopo GT-3228X8C Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod would be to have Rubber feet with Retractable Steel Spikes.
Following my statement in the Triopo Tripod Spare Parts & Accessories Reference article, I have prepared step by step instructions of how it can be performed and what tools etc are needed for this upgrade.

Using Mutli Row Panorama Head Ver. II

Most of the functions of the second version of my Multi Row Panorama head design - extensively described in Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II - are very similar to its original version.

However, there is some differentiation between the two versions with the added versatility of the removable vertical rail and the change of the Nodal Slide rail.

Therefore, in this article I shall concentrate more on the operating differences that make this second version Panorama head more versatile and easy to use.

You can still refer to the original version Using a Multi Row Panorama Head, for the description of basic functions.

Assemble a Compact Benro Multi Row Panorama Head

Sometimes none can tell how things are meant to happen. Circumstances act in peculiar ways, deviating us from our original course, but most of the times this deviation lead us to new acquaintances, friendships and learning. Well this is not an article about life or philosophy, but this is what comes to my mind thinking about Benro's Multi purpose brackets...

When I first acquired the Benro PC-0 Panorama Clamp about two years ago, just upon its release in the market then, I had also asked for the original MPB L brackets Benro had in their catalogs. Receiving an answer that Benro MPB line was not in production yet, I had to suffice with an alternative low cost solution like the Giottos MH-680 VR Sliding Plate for my Single Row Panorama head.

That was not bad for starters but what I had in mind to do, led to its limitations very soon.

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.

Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II

Almost a year ago, I had presented the construction from scratch of an Arca Swiss® compatible Multi Row Panorama Head in my article Create a Multi Row Panorama Head, with different parts from various manufacturers.

The experience gathered during this time, brought up some new requirements.
First, the fixed structure of the vertical rail made it difficult to accommodate in a bag and I'm not really fond of unscrewing and screwing on the spot taking care of alignment.

Second, some limitations of my Economy Nodal/Macro Rail showed up, such as the need to unscrew the clamp in order to remove the index bar, or put a second one on.
So, a few modifications had to be made, that would refine and make the Panorama Head more versatile.

Ideas for a Long Lens Support Bracket (Part 1)

Most of the times we need to face a problem in order to evaluate a need and try to find a solution about it.
Same happened to me in the past summer, during a short vacation near the seaside. It was late August and the winds in the area were very strong, where I realized that my Canon EF 100-400 IS USM is not so aerodynamic, especially fully extended at 400mm with the large hood mounted on.  A focal length of 400mm is equivalent to 640mm on a 1.6 FOVC body, where the slightest lens movement in mm is interpreted to movement in meters on the frame.

The basic Long Lens Support Bracket idea (Part 2)

The simplest, lightest and most economical solution is to get a long rail and an LLSB.

This is most suitable for fixed focal length lenses and if the LLSB is going to be used with only one lens.

A versatile Long Lens Support Bracket idea (Part 3)

Adding a little versatility, that will allow for back/forth and up/down adjustment,would require a long rail, an LLSB plus one or two quick release clamps. This idea is more suitable for quick and easy attachment on or detachment of the LLSB from a lens, can accommodate zoom telephotos, while the LLSB can be used with different lenses.

A versatile LLSB idea for push-pull zoom lenses (Part 4)

Having in mind, for a gripped or pro camera with a long push-pull zoom lens, so the camera body would be able to move above the LLSB rail when the lens is zoomed in and out, led me to a more complex solution which allows ample height, easy regulation for different lenses, as well as the ability to zoom the lens on the spot.

Create an Economy Telephoto Flash Bracket

The usual problem when shooting with a long telephoto lens using a flash either for fill-in light or to freeze motion, is a darker spot or shadow at the lower part of the photo caused by the telephoto lens itself interfering to the light beam emitted by the flash.
Here comes the need of moving the flash unit forward using a flash bracket.


Longer telephoto lenses have collars, then a flash bracket attached on the collar foot assists further by keeping the center of gravity close to the tripod's pivoting axis removing the flash from the camera top, thus maintaining the camera/lens balance.
More to that, when the camera is turned in the portrait position within the lens collar, the flash will remain always on top.



The idea of creating a Telephoto Flash Bracket was based on the Boling C-shaped Flash Bracket which I have reviewed earlier.

Create an Economy 5-Way Precision Head

Speaking of pan heads, a 2-way head usually used for videography is able to pan and tilt backward-forward. A 3-way head has the extra ability of tilting sideways left-right enabling horizontal leveling or vertical positioning of a still camera for portrait framing.
If a 3-way head can cover all possible positions what would make the two extra moving axis of a 5-way head needed for, and which are these extra axis?
A 5-way head should in addition to the 3-way head be able to pivot its top plate and offer also fore-aft or lateral adjustment on that plain.
This gives an answer to the 3-way head issue when tilted in any way than its vertical position. Then, if you pivot the base  the camera/lens move in an arc instead of pivoting.
This may change the hole perspective, depending on the lens focal length, items may seem more distant or closer and/or go out of focus.

Nowadays, one can find 5-Way heads in the market, but, but... the price tag is BIG.

Create & Use a Single Row Panorama Head

My first attempt for panoramas was based on the panning option of one of my ball heads and a geared macro rail utilized as a nodal rail.

The need for more leveling accuracy for the horizon plus minimizing vibration and bulk, led me to find a more elaborate solution.

So I came up creating a single row panorama (or panoramic) head that could hold a heavier camera and lens in a horizontal or vertical position, being able to adjust in all planes.

Create a Multi Row Panorama Head

In my quest for a Multi row Panorama (or Panoramic) Head, I came across many solutions but either I had to pay a small fortune for a rigid and vibration free construction or risk a lot of work on a cheep copy ending up with blurred images.

After testing some solutions and studying their behaviour under load, I came up with some


Required attributes:
Arca-Swiss® compatible rails with double dovetail and scales.
At least 20cm (8") long rails that would accommodate a Gripped DSLR (without having to remove the Grip in order to fit on the Panorama Head).
Sturdy construction and rigid bonding between parts in order to avoid any torsion under load or any resonance derived from vibration.

And last but not least keep the volume and weigh low for ease of transport.

Create an Alternative Economy Gimbal Head

Anyone in possession of a long telephoto lens is aware that is heavy to hold and manipulate.

The perfect solution for balancing a heavy lens and camera combination for free and smooth movement is a Gimbal head. But when we come to Gimbal heads several hundred €€€ or $$$ figures come immediately in mind.

If you happen to have a Versatile tripod here is a cost effective alternatve solution that I have tested. Which is fully functional, very stable and sturdy with minimal to no vibration even for heavy lenses.

As an extra bonus... it weighs less than 0,5 kg (1.1 lbs) to carry around.

Create an Economy Nodal / Marcro Rail

Basic concept:
Multifunction Nodal / Macro Rail that would be Arca-Swiss® compatible.
Length about 17cm. (6,7")
Double dovetail structured profile.
Complemented by a 5 cm (1.97") Arca-Swiss® compatible Quick Release Clamp with short screw knob.