pocketPANO VARIO

The pocketPANO VARIO nodal point adapters are equipped with everything you need for optimal adaptation to your camera and thought through to the smallest detail. The following functions and features distinguish this variable panorama head:

The pocketPANO VARIO nodal point adapters are equipped with extensive adjustment options, in order to be able to adapt them optimally to your camera. This not only applies to the sliding rails to match the pivot point of the adapter with the nodal point of your lens, but also comfort features such as the adjustable click-stops and the individual adjustment of the rotational resistance to the weight of your camera. So you do not just do flawless panoramas; the recording is also fun!

The two axes of rotation of the pocketPANO VARIO have different, coordinated locking angles. Since the camera is in portrait orientation during shooting, the horizontal rotation requires smaller locking angles than the vertical rotation. The adjustable locking angles of the lower rotator (60° / 30° / 20° / 15°) are smaller than those of the upper axis of rotation (90° / 45° / 30° / 22.5°). With these locking angles and possible combinations thereof, panoramas with a wide variety of focal lengths can be recorded; from the 8mm circular fisheye to the 75mm telephoto lens.
To set a certain locking angle, only the corresponding labeled elements must be activated. As a result, the locking angle can be easily and intuitively adapted while on the move, without having to study the instructions or having to have any locking plates there.
Of course, the detent can also be completely deactivated.

The ultimate goal in the design of the pocketPANO nodal point adapter was the smallest possible size and low weight.
Therefore, the pocketPANO VARIO panoramic heads are designed in two parts. In "transport mode" the two parts are connected to a flat unit. As a result, they require much less space than in the typical bulky form of conventional nodal point adapters. Of course, you can also keep the two parts of the adapter separately. Thus, they fit into the smallest side pocket!
For a low weight, the most important parts of the pocketPANO nodal point adapters consist of a very light, stable and resistant high-pressure laminate (HPL). This modern material consists of many layers of cellulose kraft paper, which are pressed with phenolic resin under high pressure and temperature. The beneficial properties of this material are manifold: it is totally resistant to moisture, temperature resistant, extremely scratch and break resistant, has a decorative surface, is very easy to machine and does not require expensive surface treatment (such as aluminum) after milling.
For comparison: HPL is about 6 times stiffer than conventional engineering plastics and weighs only half as much as aluminum. An ideal combination!
Incidentally, HPL (similar to wooden tripods) has an excellent damping behavior and vibrates significantly less than metal structures.

This adapter is available as an accessory for the pocketPANO VARIO-S (variant with screw connection) and is simply installed between the camera mount and the swiveling arm. Equipped with its own mm scale, the lateral displacement of the tripod thread with respect to the lens axis can be compensated with mm accuracy.

Properly adjusted, the camera can be tilted up or down without having to turn a clamping screw. This is comfortable, saves time and reduces the risk of recording errors. The clamping screw changes the preload of the igus® iglidur® plain bearing, which ensures a permanently stable friction and thus ensures that the preload does not have to be readjusted even after many shots.

We recommend the variant with screw connection (VARIO-S) for those who want to use their camera without quick-release plate or L-bracket. The screw connection can be used with a variety of cameras, has a large adjustment range and variable stops that ensure a reproducible camera position. For this variant, an optional adapter is available, which allows the use of cameras with laterally displaced tripod thread.
For all users who have permanently mounted an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate (clamping plate) or a compatible L-bracket on their camera, the fastening variant with the quick-release clamp (VARIO-K) is the ideal solution. It should be noted that the additional thickness of the clamp and the plate attached to the camera may exceed the adjustment range of the bottom rail of the nodal point adapter. For large mirrorless cameras, therefore, the larger XL version of the VARIO is better suited. For detailed information look here...

The screw fastening is designed so that the camera rests when screwed on either on its front or back on two round plastic stops. This ensures a repeatable and straight mounting of the camera.
Since each camera has a different housing shape and also the position of the tripod thread varies, the stops can also be attached to different positions. Mostly several variants are possible and you can choose which one you like the most.
Some cameras with an irregular shape may not have a flat contact surface on the camera. Here the use of the movable stops can help. This results in countless possibilities for optimal adaptation to a wide variety of cameras.

To make the adjustment range of the lower rail and thus the dimensions and weight of the VARIO not unnecessarily large, there is the VARIO in two sizes. The VARIO and the VARIO XL differ only in the length of the lower rail. All other components and properties are identical.
The VARIO XL is designed for cameras in which the distance from the bottom of the camera to the optical axis (center of the lens) is so large that it can no longer be compensated with the "normal" VARIO. This occurs in particular when using larger cameras such as the Sony A7 or A9 with the clamping variant of the VARIO (VARIO-K).
Please note: the adjustment range of both variants is the same (25mm). This means that the VARIO XL (especially in the variant with the screw fixing [VARIO-S]) is not suitable for very small cameras. More information about the important dimensions of your camera can be found on the "Supported Cameras" page.
Since you never know exactly which camera you want to use in the future, the corresponding rails of VARIO and VARIO XL can also be purchased separately. This can be exchanged in no time. So you can make a VARIO XL (and vice versa) from your VARIO!

In the lower rotator an Arca-Swiss compatible clamping profile is integrated. With it you can clamp your pocketPANO VARIO nodal point adapter fast, reliable and uncomplicated on any compatible tripod head. For even more flexibility, a standard tripod thread (3/8" UNC) is integrated, which allows direct screwing on a tripod. Who wants to mount his pocketPANO VARIO on a tripod with the small photo thread (1/4" UNC) can use the enclosed adapter.

So that not all your panoramas look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, each pocketPANO VARIO nodal point adapter has an easy-to-read spirit level. With this spirit level you can align your panorama head exactly horizontally.

The adjusting ring with engraved angle scale can be freely rotated by hand. You can use it to take panoramas of a certain width or to easily recognize when you have taken all the pictures for a row.

...you can find in the manual. This is also included with every pocketPANO VARIO panorama head as a printed booklet.

Bastian from phillipreeve.net did a nice review about the pocketPANO VARIO and shows what he does with it. It's written in english and gives independent and additional information!