hi all,

i'm a newbie to this. After reading thru the forums, I've decided to get the Coolpix 5000 + FC-E8 setup. (I'm planning to take spherical tours.)

Can anyone help me on which pano head I should get? Also, what other equipment would i require ('cept the tripod of course!).

As i'm located in Singapore, would there be any problems shipping it here and how long would it usually take?

Hi Mel...,

With this setup I would definitly recommend the "Agnos MrotatorA".  This rotator is small and nodaly perfect so you do not have to set the nodal point. You can shoot 2 or 3 shots with this rotator.

Agnos shipped mine to me via 3 day air. I got it in 3 days. But that is here in the US. Agnos is in Italy.

Get a tripod that has a "4 position leg". This will allow you to put the camera on beds or up against tables etc. The ablility to have the legs at different levels verticlally will come in handy.

You should get a tripid leveler. I have a "Bogen 3416" but there are others like this that are just as good. I like the Bogan becasue it is heavy duty and has big thumb screws. It is well made and will last a long time.

Also get a "hot shoe bubble level" so you can make sure the camera is level as well as the lens. The Agons rotator has a small spirit level on the top as does the leveler. But the hot shoe bubble is a little more accurate and will tell you if the camera is level not just the tripod.

Oh and don't forget to get Panoweaver for stitching. I would suggest PW 3.01 for 2/3 shot panos. There is a thread here on the differences. You should check that out. And lastly download the trial versions of both 3.01 and 4.0 and check them out for yourself. Either version will do nicely.

Gen. Lee

Hi Gen. Lee,

thanks heaps for the detailed advice...I looked up the Agnos website..the listing price for the Mrotator is 160 euros. Just wanna reconfirm, but is that all I would need in the pano-head dept?

Thanks once again and sorry if my questions seem ignorant.

That should do it.

Mabey include a 1 gig 40x or 80x memory card.

Make sure you get the "MrotatorA"

Gen. Lee

Gen,

Could this have worked out iwth your 5000

http://www.agnos.com/catalogo.htm?v_lingua=ITA&v_iss_web=0000000000000006538713770445&v_categ_lista=PR001-00007&v_cod_art_sche=MROTATORTAP&v_vai_primo_art=SI

You would probably need to figure the nodal. Also note that it only allows for front and back adjustment. theres no lateral adjustment possible that i could thinkg of.

also,  do you set your 5000 with the mrotator A parallel to the floor or

perpendicular  to the floor like here http://www.agnos.com/dati/foto/Mrotatorfce802.gif

Hi Gen,

thanks for your help. I've already placed my order for the MrotatorA.

Looking forward to receiving it!

Hi Gen,

Just discovered that they're no longer selling the CP 5000 in Singapore. I looked through this site and they gave several other options:

CP 4300 & 4500

Major bummer..these are neither availale here as well. Here is the link to what models are in stock in Singapore. http://www.nikon.com.sg/PRODUCT/COOLPIX.htm

Can you help me identify a suitable replacement cam? Just to recap, I'm planning to use the MrotatorA and FC-E8 lens.

Thanks a bunch!

How much are you willing to spend on a good used CP 4500?