Pano Choices for setup need help/advice...

Been looking into doing multirow panos.

Looking to setup 360 Setups with virtual tours.

I understand I would need to take pictures horizontally with overlap. Then "rotate" the camera up @ a degree, and then RETAKE horizontally with similar or same overlap. then "rotate" the camera down past the level horizontal originally took at at a degree down, probably same as degree up, then take pictures along the horizontal line with same or similar overlap.

OBVIOUSLY I'll need a tripod ; ).

Now the first question is which one? Light weight not NEEDED. (notice I said needed, if I can get a GREAT deal on a lightweight for similar priced aluminums fine)

Secondly, and this is the biggest one, what "setup" would I need to go with for "head"'(S)?

I was looking at the Really Right Stuff Package,

Ultimate-Pro Omni-Pivot Package


http://reallyrightstuf​f.com …kc=1&iQty=1&Sou​rce=VC&eq=

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anyone?

No doubt the RRS is nice.
Manfrotto makes something similar, as well as some other brands: Click

Here is a thread.

try googling nodal ninja. As far as legs go you'll get some model of gitzo recommended. I, however, have had really good luck with Chinese knockoffs of gitzo.

thanks for the help, after looking at the options from everyone else, the extra 150 or so i would spend with RRS makes me feel a bit more comfortable having the "full" solution rather than a mix and match solution from other companys. and it seems RRS is very reputable too.

for legs, will anything that supports the "lbs" work regardless of the legs I get? For example if legs support 15lbs and camera + lens + head unit does not >15lbs then I am fine no?

Not necessarily...if you're gear was perfectly centered over the tripod, maybe. But with the RRS pano kit, the load on the tripod will be higher up, and sitting a little offset at times. Any vibration will be magnified due to the offset. There's more to a tripod than simple "capacity", there's also torque from long lenses or offset loads to consider. Hate to say it, but a Gitzo 2-series or 3-series is probably your best bet with a setup such as this. There are a few threads in here regarding the Chinese knockoffs (Benro/Induro) and catastrophic failures with very expensive gear mounted on them...do a search and they'll come up. I'm not saying that every one will fail, but after reading those threads you can form your own opinion. Feisol also gets pretty good marks.

You won't be sorry with the RRS pano kit...top quality, well-made, and very functional. I have some of their gear, and the pano kit is moving up on the list. I'd avoid the pano brackets that are made out of plastic.

greenxeyezz wrote in post #5765034
anyone?

You will probably think this is crazy, but what about a surveyors tripod? They are rugged, lightweight, AND built to be steady. They are also less than what a photo tripod costs.

http://www.cstberger.c​om/Products/Tripods/El​evator.htm

Have a look at some of these just as examples of whats out there. There are of course many other manufacturers, this is just one. You'll need to figure out how to adapt from their standard 5/8"-11 mount but that shouldn't be too tough. There are also a couple different style heads and one may be more open to being adapted to photography than another.

I have been playing with getting one for use with my 4x5 view camera. Wish I could afford a digital back to fit that.