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Manfrotto Brand Geared Panoramic Tripod Head - $300 (san jose downtown)
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For sale is a Geared Panoramic Tripod Head that is to be placed on top of a standard set of tripod legs. This is a Manfrotto brand, model number 303 Plus QTVR. You're only buying the tripod head. No tripod legs are included with the sale. But almost any competent sets of legs will work.
This tripod head is specifically designed to take sequential constant-angle shots around a single axis needed for panoramic photography. If you are not into panoramic photography, then this tripod head is not for you. But if you are interested in panoramic photography, then this head is almost mandatory.
One of the challenges with panoramic photography is keeping the nodal point (or center point) of the camera and lens in line with the center of panoramic rotation. If you don't have them completely aligned, then you may get parallax effects that cause significant problems during the image stitching process.
This tripod head is specifically designed to help you figure out the nodal point and keep in locked in place while you take your pictures. This challenging process of locating the nodal point is helped by the fact that you can independently move the camera and lens backward and forward up to 7 inches and left and right up to 7 inches using the tripod head mechanisms. You can make extremely fine changes to either axis using two sets of control dials. The control dials allow for changes in the mm range. Pictures 21 to 24 show how a camera attached to the panoramic head swings around the nodal point.
The tripod head also allows you to specify how many pictures you plan to take (assuming a 360-degree arc of rotation) or how many degrees you need to rotate your camera for each sequential shot. You can then simply rotate the bottom of the head, and it will rotate exactly how much you want it to rotate. You can specify as many as 72 shots (at 5 degrees each) or as few as 4 shots (at 90 degree each). There are ten different options that you can choose (72, 36, 24, 18, 15, 12,10, 8, 6, and 4 shots). These ten different options correspond to ten different movement arcs (5, 10, 15, 20, 24, 30, 36, 45, 60, and 90 degrees).
Because this tripod head is functionally so complex, it's extremely large, measuring as much as 10" wide, 10" deep, and 13" tall. It needs to be this large, because you need the ability to precisely control where your camera sits on the tripod. The entire tripod head setup weighs about 10 pounds! And this is without the tripod legs.
The entire head is constructed of high-quality steel and aluminum and designed to last through decades of constant use.
The tripod head is in excellent structural and functional condition. There is nothing wrong with it. All control dial and forward / back and left / right movements are smooth and easy. The lever locks strongly tighten the independent rails from moving. The rotating bottom base works perfectly with no deviations.
The tripod head is also in excellent cosmetic condition. There are no major scratches, dents, or dings on any surface. There are some tiny scratches on some exterior surfaces, these cosmetic issues that don't affect the functionality of the entire head, which is perfect.
You can pick up from my house near the San Jose Airport. Or I would be happy to deliver it to you, if I happen to travel out in your direction.
I prefer that you reach out via text message. Sending an initial email message is OK. But arranging pickup solely using email is not a feasible option for me. Eventually, you'll have to text me to arrange a specific pickup or delivery time. Thanks.