Fanotec Ninja 4 User Manual

Spherical panoramic tripod head

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Fanotec
Spherical Panoramic Tripod Head
®
Nodal Ninja 4
Manual
**Images and content are subject to change
without notice**
Please visit store.nodalninja.com for the latest
prices and information regarding the NN3 MKII.
- 1 -
© 2005-2011 Nodal Ninja
®

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Summary of Contents for Fanotec Ninja 4

  • Page 1 Fanotec Spherical Panoramic Tripod Head ® Nodal Ninja 4 Manual **Images and content are subject to change without notice** Please visit store.nodalninja.com for the latest prices and information regarding the NN3 MKII. - 1 - © 2005-2011 Nodal Ninja ®...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Lower Assembly .................... Part Specifications ...............11 Lower Rail Assembly ..................Upper Rail Assembly ..................Hard Shelled Cases for Nodal Ninja 4 ..........13 Basic Assembly ..................14 Removing and Replacing Detents ............15 Setting up with Known NNP ..............16 Setting the lower rail ..............16 Setting the upper rail ..............17...
  • Page 3: Introduction

    Our panoramic tripod head is a quality piece of equipment designed to give you many years of use. Nodal Ninja 4 is the new affordable spherical panoramic tripod head from FANOTEC that will take your photography to new heights. It features a precise upper rotator with 15 degree stops, a design borrowed from the new Ultimate M1.
  • Page 4: Nodal Ninja 4 Features

    Nodal Ninja 4 Features We have compiled a list of the features and benefits of Nodal Ninja. When shopping panoramic tripod heads you need as much information as you get. We feel Nodal Ninja offers the best performance with features against price. Here is a summary of the strong points of Nodal Ninja 4. −...
  • Page 5 - 5 - © 2005-2011 Nodal Ninja ®...
  • Page 6 − The Nodal Ninja 4 can support up to 7.7lbs (3.5kg) large DSLR cameras and supports the advanced rotators RD8, RD16, and RD3L. − Longer arms – (about ? mm longer than NN3). This helps to accommodate larger cameras like the D2X, D3 or MK II, MK III, and cameras with battery packs and even many medium and large format cameras.
  • Page 7 − Allows your camera to be mounted in portrait mode. − Fits all tripod heads – uses both 3/8” & 1/4” thread mount adapter. − Small Rotator Base - less foot print to edit out when doing full spherical panos. −...
  • Page 8 − Reversible detent rings. − Detent rings can be disabled on the fly without any tool. − More precise rotator base with locking function. − Made to higher precision tolerances than earlier models. − Demarcations in increments of 2.5 degree on both upper and lower rotators, great for doing high resolution mosaics at longer focal lengths. −...
  • Page 9: Nodal Ninja 4 Exploded View

    Nodal Ninja 4 Exploded View - 9 - © 2005-2011 Nodal Ninja ®...
  • Page 10: Parts List

    Parts List Upper Assembly − 1 – Upper Rotator Tightening Knob (part# N5UTK) − 2 – Metal Washer (part# N5MW1) − 3 – Upper Arm Rotator Detent Pins 4ea (part# N5URDP) − 3a – Upper Arm Rotator Hex Screws 4ea (part# N5URHS) −...
  • Page 11: Part Specifications

    Rings available: 10/12 degrees, number of stops around n = 30/36 15/18 degrees, number of stops around n = 24/20 20/24 degrees, number of stops around n = 18/15 30/36 degrees, number of stops around n = 12/10 45/60 degrees, number of stops around n = 8/6 90/120 degrees, number of stops around n = 4/3 45&60/90&120 degrees, number of stops around n = 8+6/4+3 −...
  • Page 12: Upper Rail Assembly

    Upper Rail Assembly Overall dimensions of upper rail = ? mm x ? mm x ? mm (? ” x ? ” x ? ”). Adjustment distances from the upper rotator center point to the upper rail camera mounting point, minimum adjustment distance 33mm (1 1/2”), maximum distance ? mm (? ”).
  • Page 13: Hard Shelled Cases For Nodal Ninja 4

    Hard Shelled Cases for Nodal Ninja 4 We have available very attractive hard shelled cases. These cases are padded with a foam Dual zippered for added opening lining. convenience. Please note that parts, case, and general assembly may not reflect the actual images shown.
  • Page 14: Basic Assembly

    Basic Assembly NN4 comes preassembled in two parts – upper and lower assembly. Place vertical arm assembly on lower rail assembly and Secure with the Vertical Rail Mounting Knob. Place vertical arm assembly on lower rail assembly and Secure with the vertical rail friction set knob.
  • Page 15: Removing And Replacing Detents

    Removing and Replacing Detents Disassemble the lower rotator assembly by completely unscrewing the friction set knob on top (with markings). Using the enclosed hex key loosen the inner hex screw enough to release detent ring. Some units may have the hex key tool located inside the tension knob as shown above left. Place the detent ring with desired side face up.
  • Page 16: Setting Up With Known Nnp

    Setting up with Known NNP If you already know the “No Parallax Point” (NNP) of your camera and lens there are only two adjustments to deal with on Nodal Ninja to properly position it. The exception would be if your camera, or battery grip, has an offset tripod mount in which case you will need to compensate with a t-adapter as explained later.
  • Page 17: Setting The Upper Rail

    Setting the upper rail Loosen the upper rotator knob and rotate the upper rail with camera/lens still attached so it points straight out (parallel with the ground) as shown to the right. This position is known as 0 degrees. Next loosen the camera mounting knob and slide the camera on the upper rail until the NNP of the lens is centered with the upper...
  • Page 18: Using The Camera Mounting Plate (Ncp1)

    Using the Camera Mounting Plate (NCP1) When mounting the camera plate (CP) make sure it is perpendicular to the camera body to assure a snug fit. Do NOT twist the CP to tighten, secure using the 1/4 screw with coin or screwdriver. Twisting the CP to tighten may damage the rubber skid plate on your camera base.
  • Page 19: Mounting In Landscape Mode

    Mounting in Landscape Mode Mounting your camera and lens in landscape mode allows for horizontal panning only. NN4 will support lenses up to 100mm. When using lens of this length may be better to mount using the lens tripod mount. - 19 - ©...
  • Page 20: Quick Release Adapters

    Fanotec’s Arca Style Swiss Quick Release Clamp The new low profile Arca Style Plate by Fanotec mounts to the base of your camera. This plate can used with Fanotec’s Arca Style Clamp (ASQRC-2) and/or most Arca Style Clamps for mounting in a reproducible manner. Incorporated into the plate is a 10mm offset for battery grips (as with some Canon Grips) where the tripod mount is not centered with the barrel of the lens.
  • Page 21: Cameras / Grips With Off-Axis Tripod Mounts

    Cameras / Grips with Off-axis Tripod Mounts If your camera has a tripod mount that is offset from the center of the barrel of the lens you will need the N3T30 or N3T30 offset t-adapter. First determine if the t-adapter will be needed. Look at the base of your camera and note the position of the 1/4”...
  • Page 22: About Parallax

    About Parallax Parallax defined Parallax is the apparent shifting of a foreground object relative to a background object when viewed at different angles or perspectives. With panoramic photography, multi-shot images or images shot side by side create an issues know as parallax. This is because each image shot is actually different from the one before it due to the minor shifting of objects in the field of view.
  • Page 23: Finding The Entrance Pupil Of A Lens

    Finding the Entrance Pupil of a Lens What is the Nodal Point or Entrance Pupil and why is it important? We would like to take moment and dispel misconceptions of the word “Nodal Point”. When referring to this no parallax point (NPP) many still refer to it as the Nodal Point.
  • Page 24 To locate the NNP of a lens have the camera/lens setup on NN3 as shown to the right. You want the camera as far back on the upper rail pointing towards the horizon and parallel with the ground. Position in front of the camera two objects – one nearer than the other.
  • Page 25 Looking inside the viewfinder, or at the LCD screen, rotate the camera so the two objects are towards the left side of the frame. Note the exact position of the two lamps. Ideally place the lamps so they aren’t directly behind each – slightly offset them. Note the apparent distance between the two lamp poles as shown below. Now rotate the camera so the two objects are now in the right side of the viewfinder frame.
  • Page 26 Loosen the camera mount knob and move the camera forward approx ½ inch (10 mm) and tighten. Repeat until the lamps remain relatively unchanged as shown below. You do not want to any change in movement between the two objects. Simple recap –...
  • Page 27: Warranty

    This warranty is issued to the original buyer only is non-transferable. The manufacturer (Fanotec) and/or distributors also assumes no liability for damage caused to equipment, or downtime time caused as a consequence of not being able to use our product, or injury caused to persons using Nodal Ninja.
  • Page 28: Returns

    Returns We realize Nodal Ninja might not work for everyone. If you find for any reason you are not happy with your purchase please contact us immediately for return instructions. We will accept items returned if “received back” NO LATER than 14 days for NN4. We will refund the original amount paid less shipping and handling. Returns must include “all” materials as shipped, no scratches or obvious marks.
  • Page 29: Copyright Information

    The name and trademarks of copyright holders may NOT be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to the Web site, its content, or specifications without specific, written prior permission. Title to copyright in these documents and website belong to CircularWorlds. com, Nodal Ninja and Fanotec. - 29 - © 2005-2011 Nodal Ninja...
  • Page 30: Contributors

    Contributors The following people helped to contribute to this User Guide: − Bill Bailey – www.CircularWorlds.com − Nick Fan – www.Fanotec.com − Rosauro Ona – www.RosauroPhotography.com − John Houghton – http://www.johnhpanos.com © 2011 Nodal Ninja ® All Rights Reserved - 30 - ©...

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