Sinar pan/tilt head review and thoughts.

[B+WFriend]

Hi all. I’m trying to find a better tripod head and I figured since I’m borrowing a Sinar 4x5 that a Sinar pan tilt head might be the best solution. They seem hard to find and maybe expensive.
Are there any folks out here that use one regularly enough to offer insight on wether it’s worth seeking one out to use? What are the benefits? Any typical faults to look out for when buying one?
Thanks.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Here's one I found for $300. But I don't know why any pan-tilt head that handles the weight of the camera wouldn't work. When I got my Chamonix LF camera two years ago, I used it with my 35-year-old Gitzo tripod with a pan tilt head that I had used with my medium format camera.

Sinar Pan Tilt Tripod Head | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sinar Pan Tilt Tripod Head at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Sean Mac]

It's a really well made piece of equipment that works perfectly with a Norma.

I think I paid 150 euro for a well used one. The design doesn't really have any weak points so I'd find it hard to imagine the kind of abuse that might wear it out.

I'm really pleased with mine.

 

[abruzzi]

if you're using a sinar, it really works well. When I was looking for one they were nowhere to be found--for several months--so I broke down and bought the Luland clone. Of course a week after I ordered it, a genuine one popped up on KEH...sigh. Anyway, the Luland built one is very well made, so I'm not sad. What I really like is that it doesn't add nearly as much height as other 3-way heads or even ball heads. The main limitation is while tilt in one direction (up or down depending on which direction you mount the camera) tilt in the other direction is probably limited to 15-20 degrees.thats easy enough to deal with by just mounting the right direction if you're going to use any extreme dutch angles.

Its not too useful on most other cameras because it relies on the Sinar's ability to rotate the rail inside of the tripod clamp in order to gain the third axis of rotation. Mine is permanently mounted on a Gitzo G345 tripod.

EDIT: here is the clone version I bought. in use it seem every bit as good as other Sinar gear I own, and the design is almost idential (different tilt knob, but still says Sinar on the side)

Pan Tilt Head for Sinar Camera black | eBay

Tilt Locking Handle:Placing by any angle after locking without affecting the whole machine operation. Scale Mark : Laser Engrave,Clear Writing. Horizontal Rotating Locking Button:Humanized-design Conner, Compatible Operation.

www.ebay.com

 

[el_37]

It makes the camera even more of a joy to use. I highly recommend seeking one out, it is smooth and easy to use with a Sinar and it is very compact. I honestly would not want to work without mine. Plaubel also made a version- no idea who copied who.

 

[Keith Pitman]

It’s a great head for a Sinar. I can’t speak to using it with other cameras, but if I’m using A Sinar, that’s what I would use. FYI-Luland sells an aftermarket copy that may be less expensive that what you will find elsewhere. Look on Ebay for Luland.

 

[Guivd]

Like the others, it's a great head for a Sinar. Anyway, if you don't have one, you can use a leveling head from others brands for most of the situations.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

I've had plenty of experience with Sinar equipment. If you have one of the later Sinar P clamps, it should work fine.

Sinar P clamps enable you to tilt side to side, which is the one degree of freedom that the Sinar head doesn't permit.

 

[MarkS]

They look like the right head for a Sinar. I've used various Sinars for almost 30 years, on the job and for personal work, but never used their head.
A pointer to the pan-tilt head's value is that these days they often cost more than a Sinar camera in good shape. Another pointer is the existence of the LuLand knockoff.
I may have to shell out for one, only after I upgrade my tripod, though.