AotPR part 9 - Evolution of a Panohead

A quick update before Berkeley...

Over the last few months I've been grabbing time here and there between work to do work on the 'Frankenhead', making it sleeker and more reliable. Oh, and a bit smaller so that it can be transported...

Note the differences to a photo from April:

- Bottom bar has been replaced with a much shorter one,
- the inner 'box' frame has been replaced with a U-frame (reducing overall height),
- inner box now rotates on proper bearings and not in holes in the outer frame,
- toothed belts have tension adjusters,
- proper handle for carrying the head,
- yaw motor geartrain has been totally reworked and has less backlash,
- beam ends now have plastic end caps,
- unused slots are covered with plastic filler strip.

And an even older photo:

Side views (newer one above):

More changes visible include:
- Replacement of small and inadequate quick-release with an RRS camera-specific L-plate and Arca-Swiss style QR clamp (absolutely rock solid now, even with the 70-200mm f4 L lens),
- previous 'arm' has been repositioned, with the Manfrotto slider attached directly to the inner frame,
- reworking of pitch geartrain to give faster movement, an easily-removable motor and a more out-of-the-way motor position,
- note the collar on the end of the 8mm axle - this means that I can carry the whole head including camera and lens and not have to worry about the weight of the camera flexing the outer U-frame.

The shutter release has also changed, from the rubber band contraption to a much smaller and more reliable microswitch/eccentric cam arrangement. In the long run this will also be replaced, hoping to use the current from the LED in the light sensor to trigger a small electronic circuit that will fire the shutter (thanks Randy for the idea).

And a rear view. Unfortunately I don't have the corresponding view from April:

I'm also changing the tensioning system for the tripod, going from screwy-things to some kind of lever-clip, forgot to write down the proper names:

Much faster to do up and undo!

The Frankenhead has been out on a couple of commercial jobs now, and is off to the Eden Project on Monday, to photograph the installation of the Seed.

That's all for now, but those of you coming to Berkeley will see quite a bit more...

Ian

EDIT to add some pictures of the head in use, and one next to a Renault Trafic for scale: