Panoramic head

[Hughjb]

I have a Rolleiflex, and a Pentax 645 that I will like to use to get some panoramic shots, thus I`m looking for a good tripod head, I will like to keep it simple, does any ow you have any experience with the Manfrotto 300N pan rotation unit or the more sophisticated 303 Plus. Wich is a 300N plus an attachment for vertical pics.

Thanks

Hugh

[BrianShaw]

No experience with the Manfrotto, but I did pick up a Rollei panorama head not long ago at a decent price. It came in two types: one that only fit the Rollei TLR, and another (newer style) with a regular tripod screw mount. I tried it on a Hassy and it seemed to work fairly well with a 80mm lens.

[Hughjb]

One question that I have is which is the newer one?

and presumibly the better one

[BrianShaw]

The second one (on the right) is newer and will fit any camera. The first one is older and will only fit the Rollei TLR. Which is better... I'm not sure; I think they both work the same. The only "problem" I've had with the newer one is seeing the bubble after the camera is mounted. Minor problem, though, since my tripod and head both have bubbles.

[Hughjb]

Thanks Brian

[mhcfires]

The second one (on the right) is newer and will fit any camera. The first one is older and will only fit the Rollei TLR. Which is better... I'm not sure; I think they both work the same. The only "problem" I've had with the newer one is seeing the bubble after the camera is mounted. Minor problem, though, since my tripod and head both have bubbles.

A bubble-head?

[dpurdy]

Actually there is an important difference between the new smaller Rollei pano head and the older longer one. what makes it a panorama head is that it realigns the turning axis on the camera to the middle of the lens instead of the middle of the camera chamber. With the older Rollei pano head the offset or realignment is built in. With the newer Rollei head you are supposed to attach a Rolleifix to the pano head first and then the camera to the Rolleifix. that realigns the camera so the turning axis is the middle of the lens.
Dennis