If don't plan to shoot close objects, then you don't really need to have an accurate NPP; so, the standard L mount is OK.

The only thing to do is to balance the weight so you don't brake the gears of the pitch axis. Be very carefull on this point!

The Merlin accuracy is about 0.5°. A 300mm is OK an a full frame. x1.4 extender should also be OK, but x2 will need a better accuracy (or the overlap may vary from +=10%, I think; I didn't compute it).

The Merlin body is made in metal; only covers are plastic. It is a very good piece of mecanic.

For the 300x1.3, no problem for the accuracy.

About Really Right Stuff L-Bracket, I don't know what it is, so I can't help. Sorry.

I don't use those cameras, but I do use a Fuji S2, which is very large and heavy.  I have mounted it with a Nikon 300mm lens and a Nikon 1.4x teleconverter without problems.  However, this was a 300mm f/4.5 lens.  Having used a borrowed f/2.8 300mm before on a regular head, I am dubious about using it on the Merlin   It is doubtful that you need that fast of a lens for shooting a pano anyhow.  Unless you already have the big glass, save a lot of money with the slower version.  Even if you can get the f/2.8 balanced on the lens foot, pitching up or down much at all would unbalance it and very likely cause you to experience slippage in the head.

Regarding the use of a teleconverter: I shot large panos of the same scene with the 300mm alone and with the 1.4x teleconverter.  There really was no real difference between them when scaled to the same size; the optical quality with the converter may have been a little less, with poorer contrast and color.  I didn't feel that I gained anything by using the converter, other than it taking a good bit longer to shoot   Still, I only had to use the Papywizard import into APP and it looked nearly perfect.  One optimization and it really was essentially perfect!  Accuracy with 25% overlap was no problem.

Thanks guys for the replies

jriley - Sorry, I didn't mention the Fuji, because I was just using the models as reference, in terms of size and the S2 is similar, so that is good to know. 2ndly the reason for using the 300 f/2.8 is because that is what I got :-) not because I need to shoot at f/2.8 though it is a beautiful lens at F/2.8 :-)

Frédéric, RRS or ReallyRightStuff www.reallyrightstuff.com, makes camera support systems, using the Arca Swiss mount, which is also referred to as the Dove-tail.

irpano and Andrew, I will try looking for that supplier. thanks

Henrik

tived wrote:

Looked at the Tesco website, but I could not find anything...got any pointers? please

Henrik

That's Tasco not Tesco:

http://www.tasco.com.au/

Tived,
Tasco sales dont have it on their web page, but its known as "Multi-Function Mount".
I had to call the head office in Brookvale NSW and ask about it.
Claudes site http://www.staroptics.com.au is easier to navigate and you will find that its cheaper there too.
Make sure you have a return policy as the heads are sometimes defective when all the lights on the hand held control FLASH.
If That the case Just send it back. A few people in the group have had this problem.

Hi Henrik

tived  wrote:

woudl Frederic's software work on Nokia N95 phones?

No it seems not to be the case ...
A Nokia N800 or N810 will be OK and able to run the Papywizard version serie 2 and higher!
Any Portable is OK (Linux, Windows, Mac OS ...) (not Windows CE !) A netbook PC could be a good choice !

run that by me again John.
$350 for en eeepc
$350 Merlin head
$100 for bluetooth (for the head)
$15 Bluetooth (PC module)
$50 12v Battery

so just under AUD$900 +/incl delivery cost (we are talking AU Dollars right!??)
thats not too bad. I should be able to swing that next month

As for viewing the EEEPC under strong sunlight, which we have plenty of down under, I would suggest one of those PC' carry bags which has a hood, not sure the of the brand name. But a couple of friends of mine has them.

What it the battery time on both the Merlin and the EEEPC? ...Ok, i will google it :-) but if you have the datails that would be great. thanks

John, where abouts are you?

Have you used DSLRremotePro from Breezesys?

Cludevh, which netbook do you use or is the EEEPC a Netbook? ....usually only looking at high performance computers :-) so I am a bit lots at these and which of the bluethooth modules would you recommend?

thanks heaps guys, I can't wait to get a pano-robot. it will open up a lot of new possibilities I think

regards

Henrik

tived wrote:

I have Really Right Stuff L-Brackets on my camera and my bigger lenses have a foot with a bracket from RRS as well, would they work with the Merlins mounting?

No. It wouldn´t fit - and you wouldn´t need it.
Just get a rail and fix the lens on it. By sliding the rail in the Merlin-mount you set up the lens/camera easily.
I use an old Nikon 3,5/300mm on a Canon 20D without any problems - after strengthening the crown´s center-screw to avoid slipping. Works fine.

As was already mentioned: a 300mm you preferably use for landscapes. Here an absolute correct NPP isn´t that essential.

best, Klaus

claudevh wrote:

Hi Henrik,

A new Bluetooth module "especially made for the Merlin" by our engineering department () is in the last approval phase ("Preserie" of 10 pieces).
This will be priced at +/- 40 Euros + shipping cost !

If you want one piece and participate activelly to the tests, I can "reserve" one for you and send it to you next week ! If you agree, please provide me your "exact" adress via Email.

10 pieces, do I have to assemble it? I only have two hands! :-)

Thanks Claude, I will see how I go about getting the Merlin locally, as in within Australia, and hopefully within Western Australia. Once I got that, i will acquire the remaining parts.  So if your blue tooth is straight forward, I would prefer plug'n'prey over having to pull out my dusty soldering iron, knowing if I have to start soldering, it will be more prey then play :-) but I am sure with a bit of help here, I could probably pull it off.

thanks so very much

Henrik

klausesser wrote:

tived wrote:

I have Really Right Stuff L-Brackets on my camera and my bigger lenses have a foot with a bracket from RRS as well, would they work with the Merlins mounting?

No. It wouldn´t fit - and you wouldn´t need it.
Just get a rail and fix the lens on it. By sliding the rail in the Merlin-mount you set up the lens/camera easily.
I use an old Nikon 3,5/300mm on a Canon 20D without any problems - after strengthening the crown´s center-screw to avoid slipping. Works fine.

As was already mentioned: a 300mm you preferably use for landscapes. Here an absolute correct NPP isn´t that essential.

best, Klaus

Thanks Klaus,

I got RRS on everything, so I would either need to screw the merlin into my RRS brackets or plates, or take off the plates when I use the Merlin.

Or could I replace the clamp on the Merlin with an RRS?

Yes, the 300 would be for landscapes or distant subjects .....hmmm, anyone tried using the Merlin setup for macro-photography either time-laps or pano? Food for thoughts :-)

thanks

Henrik

irpano wrote:

Tived, I'm in Canberra and those prices quotes were AUS dollars.
The batteery life for  the EEEpc (Netbook0 is about 3 hours. It depends on if you have it on all of the time and how quick you are at taking the pano.
The 12 Volt dry cel will last  a LOOOONG time as its 7 amp hours rated.  So if you draw .5 amps it will last about 14 hours. Not sure what the head and bluetooth module draws.

Which model of eee PC do you have?  My 900 will go for a good bit longer, if I am not waking up the screen, turn off wifi, camera, card slot, etc.  Have you installed eee Control?  It made a very significant difference in power consumption for me.

John