Sinar Pan Tilt head from China - Impressed

[nbagno]

Not being able to find a decent Sinar PT head, I decided to order one of the copies from ebay. Obviously I can't comment on long term durability, but from my initial trials on my P2 it really seems to be well made. Loaded up the camera with my largest lens, put on the reflex magnifier and tilted the camera on the head and it locks down tight and solid. Can't ask for much more than that. I also bought a new bellows and a replacement for one of the dried out levels and they are all well made and fit like an OEM part.

[peter schrager]

seller name? does it really say Sinar on the head?? just curious?/

[nbagno]

luland66 The listing picture doesn't say Sinar, but the one I got did. Catlabs also lists these on their web site for a few dollars more.

[Bernice Loui]

Curious, possible to get a picture of the bottom of this pan-tilt head clone? The design and construction of the base is different than the Sinar. Sinar base is made of steel and has adjustments for part tolerances and gap. This clone appears to be made of brass with no adjustments.

Is the tilt locking handle made of plastic or some kind of metal and could the locked angle of the handle be adjusted?


Bernice

[nbagno]

Not sure what adjustment you're talking about, but here's a couple more pictures. There are alignment screws on top. The tilt locking handle is metal and you can adjust the angle by pulling the handle and turning it.

[Bernice Loui]

Thank you much for posting. These are precisely the images needed for a comparison.

The Sinar Pan Tilt has a steel base top with aluminum bottom to reduce weight. The steel top is to provide strength and durability, the aluminum bottom is to reduce weight. The top of the base has three gap adjusting screws to minimize play in the base rotation and could compensate for wear. Steel top has 3/8"-16 tripod mount threads for durability.


The made in China clone has a brass rotational base with no adjustment. Rotational base play-tolerances are dependent on machine tolerances when produced.

The Sinar Pan Tilt fine thread clamp screw is pinned to the cast aluminum handle. Very durable and parts can be replaced-repaired if ever needed. The clamp plate is made of aluminum to reduce weight with a pressed in brass nut for durability. That brass nut is pressed in to the aluminum cap and replaceable if needed.

The made in China clone has a spring loaded hex drive handle which can wear the hex drive handle and hex threaded clamp rod over time and tighten-loosening cycles. No idea what material is used for the clamp nut or how that mechanical design is done. Some pictures could resolve this question.




Position of the Sinar Pan Tilt clamping handle can be adjusted. Discussed in this previous thread, post# 12.
https://www.largeformatphotography.i...ad#post1489188


Bernice

Not sure what adjustment you're talking about, but here's a couple more pictures. There are alignment screws on top. The tilt locking handle is metal and you can adjust the angle by pulling the handle and turning it.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

How difficult is it to change those dried out levels?

[nbagno]

How difficult is it to change those dried out levels?

Took about a minute, at least for the one I replaced.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

what is involved?

[Peter De Smidt]

Remove the two small screws. Slide the old level out. Slide the new one in. Replace screws. Calibrate level using another level. Tighten screws.