For months we have been refining a new product designed together with professional landscape astrophotographer, Alyn Wallace (website). Now, we're ready for pre-order.
Below is a quick review of the journey, we hope you enjoy:
On the 14th June 2020, MSM ambassador Alyn Wallace told us that he has an idea for a new star tracker platform to solve the following problems:
The Problem:
- When at latitudes close to the equator it becomes very difficult to use the ball head on top of a star tracker.
-It’s also difficult to do panoramas, regardless of latitude.
The Solution
Adding a “Star Tracker Platform” so that the ball head becomes level. The angle can be adjusted and locked into place and the platform can also be rotated. The platform is a perfect match for the Move Shoot Move rotator but also works with any star tracker..
Later, we researched all the possible alternative solutions, practicing and using, finally came to the first version as below:
1st Version,mainly verifying the mechanism to lock the angled platform and also the rotating base.
2nd Version, Enlarged the center rotation section.
3rd version,
- Wrapped the rotating disc to prevent dust entering.
- Changed screw to handle.
4th Version,
Added more space for the bottom handle, so we can operate with gloves.
And Finally, the final 5th Version, with some minor improvements to launch the production.
Below is the performance of the MSM Platform
Below is the performance of OTHERS
Wait a moment, it may take around 10s to load all gifs.
Work as a tripod head
V or Z? Which Should You Buy?
The V and Z platforms both solve the problem of having your ballhead at an awkward angle when on a star tracker. So what's the difference?
The V platform is for those who want to save weight. If you're already using a heavy setup you may not have much room to add weight on top of the MSM which has a payload of 3kg.
The Z platformhas the added benefit of being able to be used to replace the ball head on a tripod when not using a star tracker at all. You can also use the Z platform as a table-top tripod. So it's an exchange of versatility for a little added weight.
Missing Link with Star Adventurer, the 360° Flex Tilt & Pan Head - Z&V Mount
Finding both the 360° Flex Tilt & Pan Head - Z&V Mount has been light a light bulb moment is my Astrophotography using the Star Adventurer, I can now polar align and get my Camera in a more balanced position on the Star Adventurer head. This now give me more exposure time, verses set up time. Wish I had found it years ago. Truly was the missing link.
Paul
G
Gary Lowe (Doncaster, GB)
Just make life Easy
I purchased the Nomad complete kit option along with the Z and V Tilt mount levelling base and right angle view finder i have put it all together on my camera set up to make sure all worked ok...... it did and yes it made life easy. what is not always made clear on the website is the build quality of the separate components and whilst time is the ultimate test they all feel built to last.....Many thanks
J
J.C. (Seattle, US)
Just amazing
What an amazing piece of equipment! I got it to help with my nomad set up and use it for so much more!
D
Don White (Manitou Springs, US)
360° Flex Tilt & Pan Head - Z&V Mount Designed with Alyn Wallace
Great quality and near line on line fit for rotating the camera
G
Greg Sparrow (Melbourne, AU)
Z&V Mount
Great bit of kit, very well made and works a treat
J
John Ng (Uxbridge, CA)
Big thumb up
For amateur astrophotography, this is an affordable and easy to use device. Great customer service when I had a delivery issue with the package.
M
Mathew Clarke (Runcorn, GB)
Great travel option
It’s handy on the off chance a clear sky happens and it’s just there in my camera bag ready
E
Eric Johnson (Haslet, US)
Overall a good product
Have one chance to use and was pleased with the set-up and ease of use. I was able to significantly reduce the noise on my MW shots.
D
Daniele Lusci (Milan, IT)
Gamechanger!!
This is the second V-bracket i’ve purchased. The quality-to-weight ratio is exceptional. In a light setup, i can no longer do without it… a true gamechanger for astrophotographers.
A
Alex Minor (Bella Vista, US)
Engineered with Excellence
I am a newcomer to Astro-Landscape Photography; but Not a newbie to design and fabrication ….a long time photographer of decades, before color film! So I can say with experience the V mount was money well spent.