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Posts Tagged ‘head’

DPReview TV: Syrp Genie One motion control and pan head review

18 Jul

The Syrp Genie One is a motion control system for creating automated time-lapse sequences or live-action video. In fact, it could even turn your existing slider into a programable motion control rig.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

  • Can Chris pass as a Kiwi from New Zealand?
  • Introduction
  • User interface
  • Time-lapse examples
  • Design and functions
  • Time-lapse functions
  • Live action function
  • Compared to the competition
  • One last time-lapse!

New to time-lapse? Watch our Introduction to time-lapse photography episode!

Watch our introduction to time-lapse photography video

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sirui launches AM-2 Travel carbon fiber tripod series with five models and a ball head

28 Feb

Chinese camera accessory manufacturer SIRUI has announced its new carbon fiber AM-2 Travel Tripod series featuring a total of five tripod models. The company describes its new lineup as lightweight, with the largest and heaviest model weighing in at 1.22kg (2.69lbs). The tripods are suitable for uses that range from macro to travel photography, according to the company.

The SIRUI AM-2 Travel Tripod series features the following models:

  • AM-223 ($ 129.90): 350mm (13.78in) max height, 15kg (33lbs) max load
  • AM-225 ($ 199.90): 1200mm (47.24in) max height, 6kg (13.23lbs) max load
  • AM-254 ($ 199.90): 1200mm (47.24in) max height, 12kg (26.46lbs) max load
  • AM-284 ($ 249.90): 1200mm (47.24in) max height, 15kg (33.07lbs) max load
  • SL-200 ($ 29.90): 320mm (12.60in) max height, 15kg (33.07lbs) max load

The tripods are resistant to corrosion and have a high level of stability, according to SIRUI. Features vary based on the model, but include anti-slip leg locks, leg angle adjustment buttons, 1/4″-20 accessory port, interchangeable feet for use with metal spikes, included adjustment tools and tripod bag, as well as, in some cases, an included ball head. The AM-2 series can be used with the optional low gravity A-10R ball head priced at $ 99.90.

The new models are listed on the SIRUI USA website at this time but don’t appear to have yet been added to other online stores like Adorama and B&H Photo.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Edelkrone launches JibONE motion control with mobile app and motorized head support

22 Jan

Edelkrone has launched a new app-controlled jib called JibONE that can be used with the HeadONE and HeadPLUS motorized heads for capturing a variety of shots. The jib supports 50cm (19.6in) of horizontal, vertical and diagonal motion in any direction, including looping motion. Despite its capabilities, Edelkrone says the model is compact enough to store in a backpack.

The JibONE is made from CNC machined aluminum and stainless steel; it measures 61 x 17 x 15cm (24 x 6.7 x 5.9in) when folded and weighs 5.5kg (12lbs) when used with the 1kg (2.2lbs) counterweight. Edelkrone recommends that users keep their setup load to less than 5kg (11lbs). The company says that all DSLR models are compatible with the JibONE.

HeadONE and HeadPLUS motorized heads used with the JibONE.

Operators have two different battery options to choose from for powering the JibONE: LP-E6 and NP-F batteries. Battery life varies based on which are used, but when the JibONE is powered with two Canon LP-E6 14.4Wh batteries (for a total of 28.8Wh), users can expect two hours of continuous operation at full speed or up to 12,000 still images when used in time-lapse mode.

Connectivity comes in the form of Bluetooth LE which enables users to control the jib using an iPhone running iOS 11 or newer or an Android handset running version 5.0 or later. The mobile app offers a simplified interface for recording poses, setting up motion loops, adjusting speed and more. Users can also program camera motions with the jib by manually adjusting the device.

The JibONE is available from Edelkrone now for $ 1000.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Westcott FJ400 is a sleek 400ws portable flash head with cross-platform radio trigger

30 Sep

Lighting and accessory manufacturer Westcott has announced a studio-style battery operated portable flash head that it claims has a recycle time of less than a second at full power, and which can be triggered by a wireless controller that’s compatible with the TTL flash system of ‘virtually any camera brand’. The Westcott FJ400 is a mono-block style head that takes Bowens S mount modifiers and which is powered by a 4400mAh lithium polymer battery that is said to deliver more than 480 full power bursts per charge. The heads also come with an AC power lead.

A dial on the side of the unit allows the power to be adjusted over a 9-stop range in full or 1/10th stop increments, and flash duration varies between 1/1280sec and 1/19,000sec depending on output levels and the mode set. The head can pulse to match a 20fps camera drive and allows high speed sync with shutter speeds as short as 1/8000sec. The wireless system in driven by a particularly powerful 2.4GHz radio communication network that the company says has a range of 300m/985ft, and heads can be organised in 10 groups over 16 channels.

A large display panel on the side of the flash allows users to see at the glance the unit’s settings and a 20W LED modelling lamp helps to preview the look of the light before the shutter is pressed. Westcott has mounted the flash tube well away from the body of the housing to push light out at a wide angle and a diffuser dome is supplied in kits as an accessory to soften the light before it enters the modifier.

Westcott has also introduced wireless controller for the head that it says is compatible with a wide range of flash systems from different camera manufacturers. Each Westcott FJ-X2m Universal Wireless Flash Trigger is said to work with Canon, Nikon, Sony (with adapter), Fuji, Panasonic Lumix, and Olympus cameras, as well as the Canon RT flash system. It is powered by its own lithium ion battery that is good for over 200,000 triggers per charge, and sits in the camera’s hotshoe. The controller is also supplied with a Bluetooth connection that allows it to be adjusted remotely using a smartphone app.

The Westcott FJ400 basic kit costs $ 569.90 and the FJ-X2m controller costs $ 99.90, and both are due to ship in late October. For more information see the Westcott website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kenko’s new flash automatically moves its own head for optional bounce lighting

25 Sep

Accessories manufacturer Kenko has introduced a flash unit that automatically rotates and tilts its own head to bounce its output from ceilings and walls to provide the ideal soft lighting. The Kenko AB600-R follows the lead of Canon’s Speedlite 470EX-AI by using motors to move its own head into the ideal position to suit the room and the subject, as well as the orientation of the camera.

The new flash unit measures the distance between itself and the subject, as well as between itself and the bounce surface, and automatically calculates the best angle from which to direct its light. The user can also position the head manually and have the flash unit rotate itself when the camera is turned to be used in a different orientation or at an angle.

Where the Kenko flash differs from the Canon model is that it has a guide number of 60m/197ft at ISO 100 (using the 200mm setting) and it offers radio control for wireless operation as well as optical. In wireless mode the unit can act as a master or slave, and can be controlled additionally via the WTR-1 wireless transceiver.

The zoom head can track focal lengths of between 24mm and 200mm, and with the built-in diffuser lowered it will cover the angle of view of an 18mm lens. First and second curtain triggering options can be set, and strobe and high speed sync modes are also available.

The head is powered by 4 AA batteries, but can also be powered by the BP-1 external battery pack and comes with a two-year guarantee. At the moment it comes with i-TTL compatibility for Nikon users (though B&H is advertising a Canon version – but showing the Nikon one), and costs $ 400 / £400. It is expected in stores in November. For more information see the Kenko website.

Manufacturer information

New: AI Flash AB600-R

An electronic flash with Auto Bounce and Angle Lock functions.

The Kenko AB600-R is a high-power, ‘Advanced Intelligence’ flashgun which enables photographers to raise their game to another level, helping them automate the lighting process and get the best results every time.

Amongst its many features, the Kenko AI flash AB600-R incorporates an ‘AI’ Auto-Bounce function that takes care of the most difficult part in the shooting process: Bounce flash. By automatically calculating and moving to the optimum bounce angle, it enables the photographer to concentrate on the artistic part of the process, achieving better results in a more efficient way.

3D Auto Bounce function – The auto-bounce function of the Kenko AI flash AB600-R automatically calculates the most appropriate angle of light-bounce from the wall (left or right side) or from the ceiling. With the help of the auto bounce function, the photographer can accomplish a perfect shot with just a single shutter release; no more wasting time thinking and testing the optimal light path during the photo session. This function is invaluable for wedding photographers or anyone shooting portraits to a tight schedule, when the photographer has no time for failure. Auto Lock function – Allows the photographer to adjust the desired bounce angle, based on the automatically calculated one, in manual mode and lets the system remember this angle when the camera is turned from horizontal to vertical format. This allows the photographer to really focus on the artistic part of the shooting process, like composition and interaction with the model, making the process of getting the ideal shot so much quicker and easier.

Guide number: 60 – With a maximum guide number 60 (ISO 100 at 200mm), the Kenko AI flash AB600-R has all the power it needs to deal with wide range of scenes and situations.

Master to slave flash angle remote control – The built-in radio transmitting and receiving unit allows a master flash to control the bounce angle of the slave flash remotely.

Optical and radio (2.4GHz) wireless control – For off-camera and multiple flash shooting. Sync terminal is also supported.

Auto and manual zoom adjustment – Light coverage angle equal to the 18-200mm range (18mm achieved when used with the wide diffuser panel). External power supply – The optional BP-1 battery pack supports longer shooting sessions and delivers faster recycling times. Firmware updates – The Kenko AI Flash AB600-R firmware can be updated via micro USB port.

  • Zoom Range: 20-200mm (18mm using wide diffuser panel)
  • Flash Modes: i-TTL-BL / i-TTL / Manual / Strobe (1-200Hz), 1st/2nd curtain sync, high-speed sync
  • Power: 4x AA type batteries (alkaline / Nickel Metal Hydride), or external BP-1 battery pack
  • Recycling Time: Approx. 0.1-3.5 sec (using NiMH batteries)
  • AF beam assist: 29 point AF
  • Exposure adjustment: -3.0 to +3.0 stops (TTL mode), Full power to 1/128 power (Manual mode)
  • Wireless Communication Systems: Optical and Radio (2.4GHz)
  • Bounce Mode: AI Auto bounce / Manual bounce (both with angle lock function)
  • External Connections: Micro USB (for firmware updates) / Sync terminal / External power supply
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 196 x 80 x 62mm

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Edelkrone now offers a 3D-printed DIY solution for its FlexTILT tripod head

17 Jun

Meet FlexTILT Head 3D, a version of Edelkrone’s popular tripod head that can be 3D-printed and pieced together as a DIY project for a fraction of the cost of Edelkrone’s FlexTILT Head 2.

As we noted in our review, the Edelkrone FlexTILT Head 2 is a wonderful little tool for both videos and stills. The articulating head allows for unique possibilities, especially when paired with dollies and other motion units—but it doesn’t come cheap.

The areas in red are the components that are 3D printed, while the dark grey components and silver screws are those Edelkrone ships to you for $ 29.

Edelkrone’s solution to this is a new line of products called ORTAK. The ORTAK lineup is a co-manufacturing collection that will allow you to 3D print the basic components of Edelkrone products and buy the more integral pieces from Edelkrone at a much lower cost than the fully-produced version.

For the FlexTILT Head 3D, Edelkrone will handle manufacturing the metal components required, including the hex screws, washers, brackets and mounting points, which will sell for $ 29. The body of the FlexTILT Head 3D is up to you to print using the files provided, for free, by Edelkrone on its ORTAK webpage. In addition to a document detailing the building process, Edelkrone has also created a detailed video:

Edelkrone specifically mentions the ORTAK FlexTILT Head 3D has been tested on the Ultimaker S5, Ultimaker 3 and Zaxe 3D printers. However, the STL file Edelkrone provides is more than capable of being printed with other units. Even if you don’t own a 3D printer yourself—or know someone who does—there are other options, including online platforms like Shapeways—not to mention many libraries now offer access to 3D printers at low or no cost if you’re a member.

Regardless of how you get the components printed, it’s safe to say the end result should come out for a good bit less than the $ 149 Edelkrone’s FlexTILT Head 2 retails for.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Review: Edelkrone DollyONE with FlexTILT Head 2

16 May

Edelkrone DollyONE and FlexTILT Head 2
$ 699 and $ 149 | edelkrone.com

Let’s face it, we’re all on a journey to improve our shooting, and some shots can be especially challenging in video work. There are lots of situations where incorporating some camera movement can create additional interest in shots. I’ve recently started using a combination of tools that have proven quite useful in this respect.

The Edelkrone DollyONE (DO) is an app-controlled, motorized flat surface camera dolly. The dolly can be used either in a simple track along a straight line or an arc around a subject.

The FlexTILT Head 2 (FTH2) is a lightweight head. The head extends, tilts and pans and it can to be mounted on any standard 1/4″ or 3/8″ screw mount or it can be used on its own on a flat surface.

Combining these two products allows easy camera mounting, re-positioning and movement either for video work or time lapse photography.

Key Features

  • Arcing and linear movements without a track
  • Control of dolly movements via an app
  • Ability to create different position presets
  • Speed Control including ease in and ease out rate
  • Remote triggering of cameras with optional cable
  • Head allows vertical extension
  • Head folds flat
The DollyONE with the low profile FlexTILT Head 2. The vertically extending head is a really great idea.

Uses

I first discovered Edelkrone as a company some years ago when they launched their unusual take on the slider, the SliderPLUS. Then later I found out that they had launched a motorized system and I was very interested in using some of their products to help with my work. While not cheap, they have a very professional feel to them and their customer service is second to none. I’ve been using Edelkrone’s sliders for a couple of months, and decided that maybe I should be looking at branching out to some longer tracking shots and more importantly, some arcing ones.

While I tried to get similar-looking shots with my existing equipment, I just wasn’t happy with the results. The fact that this combination allows you to combine long tracking shots with the time-lapse function in the app meant that I could explore other avenues in my work.

The dolly operates on a single Canon LP-E6 battery.

Specifications

On picking up the box I was first struck by the weight of the DollyONE, measuring 160 x 160 x 57.5mm (6.3 x 6.3 x 2.26 in) and weighing in at 1.6 kg (3.52 lbs), while the dolly itself can handle loads of up to 6.8 kg (15 lbs). In addition to the DollyONE I chose to use the FlexTILT Head 2 to mount the camera to the dolly. It is possible to use a small tripod head instead, as the dolly uses a standard retractable 3/8″ screw for mounting.

Why then use the Edlekrone head? It offers the ability to vertically extend the camera position and tilt it without having to change the height of the dolly, something I found incredibly useful. I couldn’t use a tripod with the dolly by its very nature so I needed a way of easily changing the height of the camera. The maximum vertical extension is 180mm (7.25 in) which doesn’t sound like much but covers quite a lot of situations for me in close-up product work.

The FlexTILT Head 2 can be used without a mount.

The head also allows panning, though not quite through 360 degrees. At first this might seem like a problem, however there is a good reason for this; it allows you to easily tighten the head on to the screw mount on the dolly. This is achieved by rotating the head until the stop is reached and then using the end stop to tighten the head down. The mount on the head is a standard 3/8″ screw thread and Edelkrone includes a couple of 3/8″ to 1/4″ adapters in the box for other applications.

Tensions on the FlexTILT Head 2 can be altered for tilt and extension.

The FlexTILT Head 2 also provides the ability to adjust the tensions on each of the joints, and this includes the pan friction. I did this almost immediately as with a Sony a7 III and Sony 24-105mm F4 it was a little too loose. Your setup will probably be different but the the head is rated for loads up to 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) so some adjustment may be necessary. I’m pleased to say I’ve not encountered any loosening of the joints since I adjusted them. The Hex keys required to make all these adjustments are included in the box. One other feature is a small leveling bubble embedded into the base.

Tensions on the FlexTILT Head 2 can be altered for panning as well.

Setup

As with the other Edelkrone products I’ve used before the setup on the DollyONE was quick and easy. There are no buttons on the unit, just two adjustment wheels for tension and two sockets for camera control. There’s not even a power button.

After attaching the FlexTILT Head 2 to the dolly, inserting the battery in the base (Canon LP-E6) and waiting for the confirmation beep I could then start the app. This is the only way to control the Edelkrone range of motorized products. There is a single app for all product combinations and it is available for iOS and Android devices.

Control

When starting the app it checks for neighboring compatible Edelkrone devices that are powered up. It is possible to use 3- or 4-axis control and there are a number of Edelkrone products which can be controlled at the same time. This includes the HeadONE and HeadPLUS, the SliderONE V2 and SliderPLUS, the DollyPLUS and even the Focus Module. The interface itself changes according to the devices it finds, in this case as I had only one device it offered a relatively simple 1-axis control.

The first thing to do is decide what sort of movement you need as you have three choices when selecting the ‘Path’ button on screen: Slide, Arc or Dolly In/Out.

Of course you can choose to pan the camera on the head so that the movement is not either directly parallel or at 90 degrees to the direction of travel.

The three options available when choosing the path of the dolly:

A basic slide with the lens pointing perpendicular to the direction of travel.

An arcing movement. The angle is calculated when the camera moves automatically to an off center position. You have to angle the camera with an on screen button for the arc to be calculated.

An in out move, note here that the lens is at 90 degrees to the arrow on the dolly.

The result is that you can create three distinctive movements depending on how you program the device in the app. The video below shows some real world examples of these movements.

Programmable movements include Slide, Arc, and Dolly In/Out.

Moving experience

My first attempt at a move was a simple dolly move from left to right. After setting the path type I was then able to set preset positions with the pose button. There are three positions available to start with, which increases to six when the first three have been used. The pose buttons allow saving shots from the camera on a smart device; the photo is saved on the pose button to act as a reference. Simply tapping the respective button will initiate the move.

At 100% I was slightly worried that the dolly might not stop the first time I selected it – it’s that quick. I shouldn’t have been concerned though. It’s also possible to set it to a crawl, and with a gentle in and out curve it’s incredibly slow. I set it to make a move with the speed set to 1% and the ease in/out set all the way to the left. A move over a distance of 44cm (17.25 in) took eight and a half minutes, at 100% set to minimum ease in/out it took four seconds.

When initiating any move you get a read out on the button of the time remaining, which changes when you adjust any of the sliders. Although the move can’t be updated live you need to stop the current move for the new settings to take effect. However, sometimes the real-time readout of how long this is going to take doesn’t update every second when moving very slowly.

The app has a simple single axis control with just a DollyONE.

Power Mode adds more torque for heavier payloads.

The Path lets you choose between Slide, Arc or Dolly In/Out.

The three pose buttons allow you to set individual dolly positions. You can move between them by tapping, You can also save reference photos to each position.

When all three are set these buttons shrink to reveal three more.

Speed control from scarily fast to hardly perceptible.

Ease In/Out can have a huge effect on overall movement duration.

Additional Time-Lapse and Stop Motion functions which are highly configurable.

The speed of this move and the ease in and ease out dynamic can be adjusted with the appropriate slider underneath the row of pose buttons. You can cancel or delete moves by tapping the pose button at the top right hand side, denoted by the usual ‘x’. You can also quickly reposition the dolly by double tapping on the pose button. Another function is the ability to loop back and forth by tapping simultaneously on the two poses that you want the dolly to move between.

The app also offers some additional buttons, one is a very tempting ‘record’ button that doesn’t do much at the moment apart from bringing up a ‘feature that we’re working on’ message. I reached out to Edelkrone about this and they told me that it’s going to be enabled for the DollyONE in the near future. It is available when using other Edelkrone products.

This button will allow the recording of bespoke timings using the on screen controls via a macro record function. This will allow an amazing flexibility in terms of moving between poses in a non-linear way and even allowing movement to be terminated and reinitialized if required mid-move. This becomes even more powerful when you combine this with other Edelkrone motorized products. It’s even possible to convert these movements into time lapse and stop-motion tracking movements.

The main time lapse option page.

It also offers the ability to change the interval dynamically as well as the step size.

Intervals can be set in 0.1 second increments.

Number of exposures can be set here.

The app also easily enables you to send feedback messages to the customer support team. I found myself doing this on a few occasions, to ask questions or suggest new ideas. Customer support with Edelkrone products has been excellent. Included in the app are links to the various product set-up videos on YouTube which can be really useful.

The app contains some other functions behind the buttons on the bottom. Time lapse and stop frame both can be used with the correct cable by plugging into the right hand socket to trigger the shutter on your camera. The left hand socket is for LANC control which is going to be supported in upcoming updated firmware.

The LANC and remote shutter sockets.

In actual use I found the app very intuitive, a minor issue was getting the timing right for the tapping on two pose buttons to get the loop function working. Due to limitations of this sort of system i.e. a Dolly that isn’t on tracks, there is some drift in repeated looping movements. Edelkrone advise that repeated movements are only accurate for around five to ten loops. Set-up is key to getting the best performance.

The two tension controls on the side of the dolly need to be set appropriately for the weight of the camera, lens and head. They have to be set so that the dolly doesn’t drag across the surface it’s on, but they also have to be set so that there is no rocking of the dolly during movement. This can be tested by gently pressing alternately on the sides that don’t house the tension wheels to see if there is any side to side movement.

In practice I found that I was able to get acceptable results over quite a few more than that with careful adjustment – around 100. While there was a drift of around 12mm (1/2 in) perpendicular to the move it was almost perfect along the length of travel. Your mileage will vary as this depends on the balance of the camera and also the resistance of the surface you are using.

The tension adjuster, one per dolly wheel.

Setting up arcing movements was also easy. You do need to follow the instructions in the app to first place the camera at the start position, line it up with the on-screen controls and then the DollyONE will move slightly to one side. You then need to use the on-screen buttons to re-center the camera – this provides the dolly with enough information to derive an arc which can then be used for 360-degree movements around a subject. You can of course make a different sort of arcing move and re-orient the camera so that it faces outward. This can be useful for parallel moves around subjects placed in an arc.

Practical considerations

I got around 90 minutes of battery life when setting it up in loop mode at 30% over a 75cm (30 in) move. Edelkrone states that the expected life is 60 minutes when set to 100%. I did find that the in-app battery level meter was rather pessimistic. It showed the battery to be exhausted when in fact I had around 30% of life remaining. An update to make this more accurate is being worked on by their R&D department.

You may find from time to time that the main control slider disappears and is replaced by the message ‘recover path’. You then have to select this option and the dolly relocates itself to recalculate the original position. This only tends to happen if the DollyONE gets moved manually either deliberately or by accident.

While using the dolly I found that there are surfaces you should avoid – basically ones that are glossy and uneven. Glossy will cause issues with traction; heavily varnished wood for example isn’t great. Uneven ones can also cause traction problems but will also introduce some vibration and can be noisy if that’s a consideration. You can’t use it on carpet and rugs as the clearance of the wheels underneath is only about 5mm (0.2 in).

One of only 2 dolly wheels.

Ideas for improvement

As usual nothing is perfect and there are a few things that could be improved. I’d like the ability to use external power as the run time with a single LP-E6 can be a little limited when using the time lapse function over extended periods.

One thing that is not as easily available as it could be with the DollyONE is the ability to rotate 360 degrees around its own center axis via a single button press. It is feasible to make your own 360 degree arc. You do this by setting it up in such a way that the second position that you choose to orient the dolly is 90 degrees to the first position. This is not as intuitive as it could be but I’m told that a simpler way of doing this will be added at a later date.

For the FlexTILT Head 2 I do wish that the tension adjustments were tool-less. I realize that accommodating this and maintaining a low profile head might prove difficult. Although not having to adjust up to eight hex bolts would be beneficial, even though the need for it is rare.

Conclusion

What at first may seem like quite niche products have actually given me more inspiration for new shots than I thought possible. I haven’t even touched on the fact that you could actually mount things on the DollyOne and use it as a movable platform for some subjects. I’m sure there are many more uses that I haven’t even considered yet.

These are not budget products but I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for. My old, cheap dolly skater and head were used once and they haven’t been out of their boxes for over two years. The DollyONE and FlexTILT Head 2 are a natural pairing and I eagerly await the updates that will make this system even more creativity-inspiring.

What we like

  • Ease of use
  • Build quality
  • Low noise
  • Extensive time lapse options
  • Customer support

What we’d like to see improved

  • Battery Life indication accuracy (planned for future update)
  • No one-button 360 degree panorama option (planned for future update)
  • Tools required to adjust head tensions

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Watch out Profoto, the Godox V1 round head flash is just around the corner

08 Mar

At Photokina 2018, Godox revealed plans to release a round head speedlight designed to compete with the Profoto A1. That product, the Godox V1, has finally arrived under Adorama’s Flashpoint brand and is expected to launch under the Godox name through B&H Photo soon.

The Flashpoint Zoom Li-On X R2 / Godox V1 features a round zoom head with both automatic and manual zoom control, a magnetic head rim for light modifiers, backlit matrix LCD, support for 330-degree rotation and 120-degree tilt, and a guide number of 92 ft / 28 meters at ISO 100 (50mm). The model’s removable Li-ion polymer battery can power up to 650 full-power flashes per charge with a full-power recycle time of less than 1.5 seconds.

Photographers can use the Godox V1 as an on-camera standalone TTL flash and as a ‘wireless command center’ for the company’s other monolights and speedlights. As well, the new model is fully compatible with the Canon E-TTL system with support for EXIF inscription, HSS, flash value lock, and exposure compensation.

When used as a master, the Godox V1 is able to control four wireless groups, and as a slave, this flash supports both intelligent and regular optical modes.

Other features include the promise of a ‘stable’ color temperature held at 5600±200K across the full power range, HSS shutter speeds up to 1/8000s, front and rear curtain sync, laser AF assist lamp, SMD LED modelling lamp, and the inclusion of multi-purpose buttons.

The Godox V1 is currently listed as pre-release by Adorama. Neither price or availability date are provided, though it is expected to be cheaper than the Profoto A1.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Adorama releases non-TTL Flashpoint XPLOR 600 Pro HSS studio flash head

16 Jan

Adorama has announced the availability of a new studio flash head from its own Flashpoint range. Designed for photographers who don’t want TTL control, the XPLOR 600 Pro HSS offers 600WS of power with wireless triggering.

With the standard reflector fitted the head has a guide number of 87m / 285ft @ ISO 100. Users can expect 360 full power bursts from a single charge of the head’s 2.6Ah lithium ion battery pack. An optional AC adapter is available, but even when powered by the battery recycle-times are between 0.01 and 0.9 seconds. The head uses a 2.4GHz wireless system making the XPLOR 600 Pro HHS compatible with the Godox X radio triggers, which are available for all the main camera brands.

Wireless control works across 32 channels and x-compatible flashes can be separated into five groups. Two optical slave modes are offered, with all settings dealt with on the large side-mounted LCD panel. The HSS in the name refers to the head’s ability to sync with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000sec, and the output can be varied across 9 stops to 1/256th in 25 steps. A battery and charger are included in the kit, along with a standard reflector in the Bowens S mount.

The head is the non-TTL version of the XPLOR 600 Pro TTL, and is priced $ 749 against the $ 899 charged for the TTL model. It is also a version of the Godox AD600 Pro head that has TTL. For more information see the Adorama website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Review – Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

22 Aug

When my original tripod head started getting a bit loose and wobbly, the decision had to be made to replace it. But what was I going to get for a new head?

There are many brands and choices and after doing a lot of research and reading reviews, the most important parameters (for me) were narrowed down to these:

  1. It must be as light as possible
  2. There must be a lever clamp
  3. Panorama leveling included

Review - Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

After much careful consideration, I opted to go with the Acratech Ball Head with Lever Clamp option. For those interested, the other serious contender was from Really Right Stuff. Pricing was similar but the Acratech was a lot lighter.

When it finally arrived (it takes a long time for things to travel to NZ affordably) the first thing that surprised me was how small it was. The second thing was how hefty, solid and well made it was. It is almost a work of art in its own right, how sculptured it looks.

Up close and personal with the Acratech GP Ball Head

There are three knobs on the base of the Acratech GP. The largest one with the notches is the ball head release – this is the one that gets used all the time to position the head.

On the same level is a smaller round knob which is responsible for adjusting the tension. When you loosen the main knob it can go completely loose and floppy really quickly, or you can tension it to have a bit more resistance.

There is a small notched knob on the panorama ring. It allows the whole head to swivel around from side to side – a necessary requirement when panning across for panorama images.

Review - Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

Back of the tripod as it faces the photographer with the three main control knobs and the lever clamp in a closed position.

There is one notch that allows you to drop the camera over 90 degrees (to a vertical position) and be held firmly in place there.

Review - Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

Front of the tripod head showing the drop notch.

At the top is the camera mount plate which has a lever clamp with a safety release. This has to be held down for the lever to let go. It’s easy to get a shirt cuff caught in the lever so this is a very important feature.

On the front of the camera mount, is a high friction adjustment knob so you can close the lever tightly around the tripod plate on the camera.

Finally, there is a bubble level on the camera mount plate.

Review - Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

Top view of camera mounting plate with the lever clamp in the closed position.

Here are the specifications on the Acratech GP Ball Head from the manufacturer’s website:

  • Will hold up to 25lbs (11.4kg)
  • Height 4.14″ (105mm)
  • Length 3.47″ (88mm)
  • Wide 3.20″ (81mm)
  • Base Diameter 2.375″ (60mm)
  • Weight 0.95 lbs (.43kg)

NOTE: It also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Setting up the Acratech GP Ballhead

Step 0 is to screw the head to the top of your tripod legs.

Step 1 is to sort out your appropriate level of tension needed for the ball head when you release the main locking knob.

  • Too loose and the camera will instantly flop over to one side if you don’t have a hand supporting it.
  • Too tight and it can be stiff and difficult to position, which slows you down and is quite tiring after a while.
  • My preferred option is set so that it’s tight enough to loosen off slowly initially but has enough play to move about easily.

Step 2 is to put the camera on the mounting plate (with the ball locked shut) and the adjustment knob on the mounting plate loosened.

This allows you to seat the camera firmly and holding tightly with one hand, screw the adjustment knob as tight as you possibly can.

Step 3 is to figure out how it all works together with the camera mounted. You may want to change the tensioning once the camera adds its weight to the arrangement.

There is a full set up video on the manufacturer’s website, or you can watch it below:

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Features

One of the benefits of the Acratech GP ball head is it offers three key features in one mount:

  1. Standard ball head with lever clamp option
  2. Gimbal head
  3. Panorama head

1. The standard ball head allows you full rotation around the top of the head and a drop notch to allow a 90-degree supported camera position.

2. Gimbal head utilizes the drop notch and by having both the main knob and the panorama knobs loosened, you can swing the camera around and swivel up and down freely. This works best when you have it mounted on a longer lens with a locking collar.

3. The panorama head is a unique feature where you unscrew the head from the legs, also unscrewing the camera mounting plate from the top of the tripod.

You then screw the camera mounting plate on the bottom of the head and screw the reassembled head back onto the tripod legs.

(See the video above which fully explains all these features.)

The User Experience

I have had my Acratech GP Ballhead for several years now and in general, I really like it though there are some design features I find quite irritating.

  1. The main locking knob has a really short shank (the distance between it and the body of the head). My hands aren’t huge but I often scrape my knuckles on the side of the head when tightening the locking knob.
  2. The main locking knob is quite small which means you need to turn it a lot because it lacks the leverage a wider knob would give. As a result, I have the tensioning set quite high.
  3. When the tensioning is set towards the higher end (i.e. quite resistant), it can sometimes seem that the camera is locked in place. However, if the locking knob is not fully engaged, the camera can suddenly drop or slump especially if you have a heavy lens. Or if you are really unlucky and you didn’t check the friction knob was tight, your camera literally falls out of the head and smashes onto a concrete floor!
  4. Check that the lever clamp high friction knob is tight as it can loosen over time.
  5. It may be the age of my head but I notice it droops down a bit when the camera settles into position. Not a huge amount but it’s noticeable when working with macro and tightly framed compositions. It’s manageable by setting it a tad higher than usual and letting it drop into the correct position.
  6. For panoramas I have never bothered to muck around with unscrewing it as its designed to be, I just set everything up and then loosen the pano base knob and swing it around happily.
  7. I have never used the gimbal feature so I cannot comment here.
Review - Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

Side view showing some of the wear and tear on my Acratech GP Ball Head – it’s a solid piece of kit.

My Gear

I shoot with a Canon 7D Mark II and my heaviest/longest lenses are Canon 24-70 II F2.8 IS, Canon 100mm F2.8 IS L macro and Canon 70-200 F4 IS L with a locking collar.

I got an RRS L-plate for the camera and a lens plate for the 70-200mm lens.

My tripod gets used a lot. I always use it for landscapes, as I do a fair amount of long exposures. Any macro photography is always done using the tripod and most of my food and still life shots are done on a tripod as well.

Review - Acratech GP Ball Head for Tripods

Acratech ball head with a Canon 7D mounted for scale.

Summary

This is only the second tripod head I have owned in 10 years of doing photography and in general, I am very happy with it.

It is tiny in comparison to other options, so the lighter weight is appreciated when traveling or carrying the tripod. Despite the size, it does provide a good firm base and allows me to get solid sharp images.

There are a few quirks to get used to in regards to setting up and using the head. I am sure this is pretty common no matter what brand or option you get.

My one main niggle is the design of the main locking knob. The shank is too short and I have scraped my knuckles bloody on more than one occasion. It can be avoided by careful positioning of my hand in relation to the knob, but in my opinion, it is a design flaw that should be improved upon.

Overall, based on the range of features it offers a run of the mill photographer (i.e. you don’t have big heavy lenses), the lighter weight, quality of workmanship and design, I give the Acratech GP Ball Head 8 out of 10.

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