Hi all,  
 
We're looking to change our Panoramic head - currently got a manfrotto 303sph which has been a great work horse but now looking for something 'lighter' and better built. Have looked at the 360Precision Absolute but wondered if anyone has any comments to make on it or recommend other options.
 
Cheers- (Oh and check out our new website www.wrightgeorge.com - comments on this welcome via our guestbook or contact@wrightgeorge.com)

and in addition how's the Absolute compare with the Nodal Ninja?

The Nodal Ninja 3 is a good product and very affordable at $225.
 
Their new NN 5 Pro and 5 Lite have features a pro would like

 
There's no comparison. The 360Precision Absolute is strongest, most precise panoramic tripod head available. It's designed for professionals that rely heavily on their equipment. The Absolute has a 5 year warranty and so far in three years we've only had one warranty claim. And we've since upgraded the base screws from M3 x 12 zinc plated to M4 x 12mm A2 stainless steel.
 
The Absolute is only slightly lighter compared to the 303sph so you might be more interested in the 360Precision Adjuste. Again the build quality of the Adjuste is in a different league when compared to other panoramic heads. The RRS gear comes close but it's still no match.
 
Like they say, you get what you pay for. So if you want the best adjustable head available today then it's a no-brainer.
 
Matt
360Precision.com

Many thanks for the message (and the sales pitch! lol) I normal shoot use a 18mm lens which on the 303sph means 32 shots in total for a full 360. 10 shots at hoz, 10 at 45 degrees down and 45 up plus 1 up and one down -shooting on a D70 Nikon. Can the Adjuste and Absolute be set the same.

Hi to All!
 
It would be interesting wouldn't it to see a shoot-off between a "value" panohead such as the NN5 & the "best" panohead (Precision Adjuste) with the identical camera equipment (body/lens)?
 
And since this is a Stitcher forum, Stitcher's auto-stitching capabilties would seem to be at the core of this type of comparison.
 
Andrew, you seem to be in the best position to create this type of scenario. Is this something you would do? (Source images available in TIFF... shot with a Nikon w/10.5, or equivalent, to keep the files reasonable.)
 
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p.s. to wrightgeorge
The Precision "Absolute" models are designed for specific camera body & lens combinations. The "Adjuste" is intended for a wider variety of combinations - which is why I think this would be the best model to use in a shoot-off.

Great stuff on the Ventura project guys!
 
Hmm, a "shoot-off"... Well, it's a toughie for me because I of course sell both so I'm probably not in the most un-biased position to do it... But I'l do it... (since I'm testing the 4.5mm & 10mm Sigmas today anyway)
 
In the meantime, the answer to this is quite simple as Matt stated.
 
First off, let's get something clear, BOTH units are capable of producing identical results. The difference therefore lies in the operation, weight and price.
 
The Nodal Ninja is perfect if you want a small, lightweight unit at a minimum cost. Due to it's construction you need to take a little care during your shots to ensure consistency of alignment.
 
The Adjuste is perfect if you need time after time pixel perfect accuracy and rely heavily on your equipment to perform consistently in a business case scenario.
 
IMHO the Adjuste is the "better" of the two rotators overall but it does cost 425% more. For some people that's an issue for other's it's not.
 
Test images to follow...

Guys
It doesn't have to be an "either or" decision.
 
It can be a "process"; for now I'm going for a good product like the NN3 while making the step up from my Nikon Coolpix/FC-E9 equipment, later when I have the money and hopefully income from being able to produce higher quality virtual tours, I want to move up again from my Canon XTi to a better camera and want to upgrage to a 360Precision rotator.
 
For some one like Andew "positioning" them eliminates a conflict between the products; NN3 as entry level, NN5 mid level & entry level for larger camera bodies with Absolute and Adjuste for pro & serious volume producers