This is really neat and I'll probably order them tonight! One feature I'd like to see addressed in V2 would be a "storage" port for the 3/8 inch thread adapter - just a thread in the plate itself that you could screw in that adapter so you don't lose it in your pockets/camera bags constantly.
This is awesome! I was thinking using two ball heads to fix this problem 🤣 but this is a lot more lightweight and practical 😁 Just order the V and Z and can't wait to try them 🤩
Wonderful production! It really takes into account the design of each detail along with the real use on field. Really impressed since it's so minimal but efficient. I might use it one day, thanks for the effort Alyn
Already ordered mine 🙌🏻 Great idea to fill the tracker ballache issue I always have when aiming up. Might start using the tracker all the time now... Cheers Alyn, stay safe 👍🏻
Excellent collaboration Alyn, you used your background engineer knowledge work with company you admire and help them to improve their product what shown how much you love of what you do and how better it could be for everyone ; )
As soon as I saw them on at the MSM site I ordered them. I have the V as the wedge and the Z on the rotator with a panning base instead of a ball head, which keeps the gear a little closer to the exact center of the rotator, reducing the moment of inertia significantly. The Z + panning base is only a little less than the 450 gram ball head I prefer, but again, the camera sits a little closer to the rotating base, which is important. I may replace that with a small leveling base to make quick Milky Way panoramas a little faster workflow. Anyway, thanks so much Alyn for your great idea and kudos to MSM for adopting it because the execution is so well thought out. It's such a great implementation. Clear skies in 2021!
Nice one Alyn, just ordered a Z to use with my MVM if I can actually ever get out to use it! Good luck with the sales mate 👍🏻 All the best Ryan Raymond.
Thanks Alyn. My family got me the MSM tracker last Christmas and haven't had a chance to use it yet. Going up to the Big Bear Lake, CA near me to try Milky Way during the new moon in a few weeks. I ordered the Z & V pack with your discount and get free shipping so worth a shot for more options as I pretty much will be fumbling around figuring things out. Wish me luck.
Just received my two Z mounts. Planning to use one on my macro mounting setup to give camera tilt without the height gain that a ball head would require. If I may Alyn...one small correction. They are indeed a friction based system. The mounts do not "lock" when tightened, but the leverage from the thumb lever seems to allow enough torque on the nut to create good holding strength in the hinge.
Just got mine yesterday. I think it’ll quickly become a valuable asset in my astrophotography arsenal. My only suggestion would be a thin rubber/neoprene type pad where it attaches to my sky guider pro. The 3/8” screw thread bottoms out before the MSMZ plate actually come into contact with the sky guider pro mount plate. Nice work overall Alyn and a reasonable price too.
Just ordered one because i need something compact and light for the MSM alignment. I planned to use a video head but i realized there's too much stuff in my backpack. And this Z mount is way cheaper than an equatorial head so... cannot wait to test it!
I am always looking to be able to do more with my camera support. One thing that’s always been a challenge is getting a camera really low to the ground while still having full control. Even low profile ball heads aren’t really low, but a V platform is.
Just order Z bracket👌 I hope it will have enough payload for my panorama setup. Now i am using Sirui L20s, for leveling my pano setup above tracker, but it is a bit heavy and big. Good work💪
That is amazing, Alyn!! I’ll definitely be getting one of each. I reached out to MSM about solutions for allowing us to photograph in vertical/portrait mode without the camera slipping out of tightness - do these address that challenge?
Z platform is fantastic, you can save some weight by replacing your Ballhead and L Bracket and still be able to put your camera in a vertical orientation. Also, you can use it as a panoramic head for a single row pano with no parallax effect!
That looks great! I have a MiniTrack LX3 and I have problems pointing my camera to certain regions in the sky, so this might be the solution. I thought it was probably too expensive for my tight budget, but I went to the product page anyways and wow, I could get both for the price limit I set myself! Can't wait for them to arrive, but I'm "afraid" they arrive long before the next clear sky...
Still waiting for my order to be shipped. Got a tracking number last week and it's still not shipped. Quite disappointing. I trust you so I'm sure I'll get them one day, but it's frustrating when you get an email saying it's on it's way when it's not...
I wish I had seen the V mount used as a equatorial wedge before I bought the second ballhead for the same purpose. That cuts down on my weight and packing issues even more, not to mention a most stable platform. Oh well, I guess I just have an extra ballhead to put on a spare tripod.
And here I expected to see it priced at $200 like a RRS bracket would be. I'm so impressed that you all market this at a reasonable price for what it is!
Hi mate. I am considering this for use in Australia for astrophotography. I am comparing against the much more expensive ioptron skyguider pro with ipolar. My main concern is getting accurate polar alignment. Do you think with the phone mount for msm that you can get accurate alignment here is the Southern Hemisphere or do I need to spend more and get the ipolar?
I bought the V and Z platform, I like it, very sturdy, light weight and easy to lock. However for Polar alignment and lock it precisely with the laser or the scope is a not that easy. Don't get me wrong, you can still do it, but I think a tilt & pan head would be better suited. I ordered the one from MSM. But still I have great uses for V and Z. They are well made.
Thanks Alyn! I have purchased other Zmounts that use allen key to tighten and it doesn't hold strong enough, allen key no good, maybe Alyn is the key, LOL. Just ordered this from MSM with preorder discount, any idea when they will begin shipping these?
Alyn this looks great. I am using a star adventurer 2i and a manfrotto x pro ball head. Would this work with this or is it only compatible with the MSM tracker? Ps which indexing rotator do you use to simplify overlaps in the dark?
I think I will also use the Z plate with panorama work to create a simple 'shift' platform as I don't have a tilt/shift lens for my mirrorless camera system. It's might be possible to use the Z to create an off center mount and simply rotate it 180 degrees and rotate the camera so I can get two overlapping but identical perspectives with a wide angle lens. Certainly would be significant for near ground elements and architecture.
Hi, ive just bought an omegon LX 2, I only have enough money for one of the platforms, which one would you recommend? And for the base of the tracker or the camera mount?
I’ve just bought a star adventurer pro and I think this would work on there instead of a ball head on the adapter for wide angle Astro shots.... *orders it straight away 😂👍
Thanks so much for this Alyn, just order the Z Platform. Have tried other Z mounts just like you pointed out, have always been puzzled by the absence of a straight forward and robust locking system. Interesting to see it used as an equatorial mount, how easy do you find it to acquire alignment with this versus something like the Benro 3 geared head?
Hi Alyn, I bought both the V and Z platforms on preorder. They make the move shoot move so much easier. One question on Panorama’s - would you do a video on doing one using these as I’m still not sure if I should correct for the rotation after a tracked shot before rotating slightly?
Наука
Well done Alyn, master astro photographer, and now an inventor. Good luck with it all. 🤘🏼👍🏻
Wow, nice price on these! I have a Frankenstein version of this that offers the same functionality, but it's a lot more bulky/heavy.
Just ordered one. Looks very well thought and built, and coming from Alyn, a teacher of many of us, will surely be very useful. Thank you Alyn.
Interesting idea, and nice to see some good engineering Alyn.
This is really neat and I'll probably order them tonight! One feature I'd like to see addressed in V2 would be a "storage" port for the 3/8 inch thread adapter - just a thread in the plate itself that you could screw in that adapter so you don't lose it in your pockets/camera bags constantly.
Great idea thanks!
This is awesome! I was thinking using two ball heads to fix this problem 🤣 but this is a lot more lightweight and practical 😁
Just order the V and Z and can't wait to try them 🤩
Wonderful production! It really takes into account the design of each detail along with the real use on field.
Really impressed since it's so minimal but efficient. I might use it one day, thanks for the effort Alyn
Already ordered mine 🙌🏻
Great idea to fill the tracker ballache issue I always have when aiming up. Might start using the tracker all the time now... Cheers Alyn, stay safe 👍🏻
Fantastic video, Alyn! And these platforms just may be what we all need. Congratulations! 👏🏻
wow, this is amazing! you the man. thanks Alyn
awesome design...and just what a photographer would need...Thanks Alyn
Congrats. Very satisfying to design exactly what you need and see it come to fruition.
Amazing work, Alyn! I have just ordered the V. Have a great day!
Congrats on the new product. Must be exciting. Just ordered the Z one. Thanks.
Good stuff, just what I needed. Just placed my order.
Excellent Alyn had mine delivered before Christmas superb bit of kit 👍
Great solution to a annoying problem! Great work Alyn et al ! Wes, Liverpool, UK.
Thank you Alyn and MSM for your efforts in helping Astro Photography move forward with such a great yet seemingly so simple idea. 🙌🏼
Wow Alyn, this could be revolutionary!
Excellent collaboration Alyn, you used your background engineer knowledge work with company you admire and help them to improve their product what shown how much you love of what you do and how better it could be for everyone ; )
right! i love how he comes up with these ideas and acts on it. the engineers brain is always turned on:)
These will be useful for macro photography too!
Roll on the end of Lockdown! Cant wait to try my Z platform out - huge thanks as always Alyn
Great explanation, now I know what to order. Great implementation and great video. Thank You!!
Mine came today thank you and I like the AW logo on it too. Nice touch
Just ordered both. Great idea and just what’s needed. 👍
Something I really needed. Thank you.
Great explanations, something I was waiting for. My platform is already on the way 🤓
Very smart design Alyn! Great product. I have ordered 2 Z!
Thanks Alyn, I would like to see this kit in action in the field as well. Hope to see your video about this soon. Cheers
Bought the Z, realized how good it is, ordered a second one. ;)
Very high quality. I didn't expect this to be honest. Good work to you and your team.
Brilliant!! Ordered Mine
Looking forward to mine coming Alyn, ordered on Thursday 😀
Genius, well done 🤘🏻
Looks very helpful. Couldn't decide so I ordered both.
Ordered the Z version Alyn. Looks like a great bit of kit that has been designed someone who knows what’s needed. 👍
As soon as I saw them on at the MSM site I ordered them. I have the V as the wedge and the Z on the rotator with a panning base instead of a ball head, which keeps the gear a little closer to the exact center of the rotator, reducing the moment of inertia significantly. The Z + panning base is only a little less than the 450 gram ball head I prefer, but again, the camera sits a little closer to the rotating base, which is important. I may replace that with a small leveling base to make quick Milky Way panoramas a little faster workflow. Anyway, thanks so much Alyn for your great idea and kudos to MSM for adopting it because the execution is so well thought out. It's such a great implementation. Clear skies in 2021!
You are amazing!!! MSM is on my list ....thank you!!!
So nice to see a company take ideas directly from photographers 👍
Just ordered one. This is something that I was looking for.
Thank you Alyn
Very good design. Thumbs up!
Really good gear Alyn 👏👍
Great idea Alyn, have put in my order for a Z.
Nice one Alyn, just ordered a Z to use with my MVM if I can actually ever get out to use it! Good luck with the sales mate 👍🏻 All the best Ryan Raymond.
Got mine! Just need the clear skies now 👍🏻
I bought the z platform and is great. From the hinges, levers, adapters & levels this product is genius!
Thanks Alyn. My family got me the MSM tracker last Christmas and haven't had a chance to use it yet. Going up to the Big Bear Lake, CA near me to try Milky Way during the new moon in a few weeks. I ordered the Z & V pack with your discount and get free shipping so worth a shot for more options as I pretty much will be fumbling around figuring things out. Wish me luck.
it looks like great! i have just ordered both V and Z!
Excellent design Alyn. Going to order the Z now 🙂 Cheers
I just got my Z mount the other day, Great idea and well made
Love it, order placed!
Nice Overview of The Star Tracker Alyn👍🔭
Placed an order for one... help make using mounted binoculars a bit more balanced when observing near the zenith!
Excellent idea - gonna get one or both of these... nice one
Niiice!! Mine will arrive next week, along with the MSM tracker!! 🤩🤩
Just ordered 2 x Z platforms, one for son and one for me. Awesome thanks
Just received my two Z mounts. Planning to use one on my macro mounting setup to give camera tilt without the height gain that a ball head would require. If I may Alyn...one small correction. They are indeed a friction based system. The mounts do not "lock" when tightened, but the leverage from the thumb lever seems to allow enough torque on the nut to create good holding strength in the hinge.
Super useful Alyn ... cheers neighbour
Just got mine yesterday. I think it’ll quickly become a valuable asset in my astrophotography arsenal. My only suggestion would be a thin rubber/neoprene type pad where it attaches to my sky guider pro. The 3/8” screw thread bottoms out before the MSMZ plate actually come into contact with the sky guider pro mount plate. Nice work overall Alyn and a reasonable price too.
I had this very same issue last year, what a game changer piece of equipment, I'll definitely be buying this!
Edit: Just pre-ordered mine!
THANKYOU...
Just what I've been looking for and a reasonable price(one of each for less than £52 delivered). Hope they're as sturdy as the look, thanks Alyn!
BRILLIANT 👍🏻
Super cool!
InstaBlaster.
Brilliant idea!! Well done son.
Just ordered one because i need something compact and light for the MSM alignment. I planned to use a video head but i realized there's too much stuff in my backpack. And this Z mount is way cheaper than an equatorial head so... cannot wait to test it!
love innovation, freedom
I am always looking to be able to do more with my camera support. One thing that’s always been a challenge is getting a camera really low to the ground while still having full control. Even low profile ball heads aren’t really low, but a V platform is.
Can’t wait to get my Z platform... this solves so many problems.
Just order Z bracket👌 I hope it will have enough payload for my panorama setup. Now i am using Sirui L20s, for leveling my pano setup above tracker, but it is a bit heavy and big. Good work💪
Love this stuff Alyn! Ordering mine now 😁 Diolch yn fawr
Can't wait to get my Z.
That is amazing, Alyn!! I’ll definitely be getting one of each.
I reached out to MSM about solutions for allowing us to photograph in vertical/portrait mode without the camera slipping out of tightness - do these address that challenge?
Z platform is fantastic, you can save some weight by replacing your Ballhead and L Bracket and still be able to put your camera in a vertical orientation. Also, you can use it as a panoramic head for a single row pano with no parallax effect!
That looks great! I have a MiniTrack LX3 and I have problems pointing my camera to certain regions in the sky, so this might be the solution. I thought it was probably too expensive for my tight budget, but I went to the product page anyways and wow, I could get both for the price limit I set myself! Can't wait for them to arrive, but I'm "afraid" they arrive long before the next clear sky...
Still waiting for my order to be shipped. Got a tracking number last week and it's still not shipped. Quite disappointing. I trust you so I'm sure I'll get them one day, but it's frustrating when you get an email saying it's on it's way when it's not...
Glad someone finally realized there is a problem and designed a commercially available solution. I had to design and have one made from metal myself.
I wish I had seen the V mount used as a equatorial wedge before I bought the second ballhead for the same purpose. That cuts down on my weight and packing issues even more, not to mention a most stable platform. Oh well, I guess I just have an extra ballhead to put on a spare tripod.
Excellent
I have been searching for something like this. Perfect! How do I then connect the Z tracker to my camera with a L bracket?
Take my money, just take it all... I'm ordering all the things!
Ordered a V platform ! Perfect to replace a syrp tilt platform which is sooo expensive.
And here I expected to see it priced at $200 like a RRS bracket would be. I'm so impressed that you all market this at a reasonable price for what it is!
Making astrophotography easier and more accessible comes before profit. Glad you think the price is reasonable :)
Hi mate. I am considering this for use in Australia for astrophotography. I am comparing against the much more expensive ioptron skyguider pro with ipolar. My main concern is getting accurate polar alignment. Do you think with the phone mount for msm that you can get accurate alignment here is the Southern Hemisphere or do I need to spend more and get the ipolar?
Thanks alyn, small little question, when you have the Platform leveled, do you still need to level your tripod?
I bought the V and Z platform, I like it, very sturdy, light weight and easy to lock. However for Polar alignment and lock it precisely with the laser or the scope is a not that easy. Don't get me wrong, you can still do it, but I think a tilt & pan head would be better suited. I ordered the one from MSM. But still I have great uses for V and Z. They are well made.
i wish you have 100k subssss
Thanks Alyn! I have purchased other Zmounts that use allen key to tighten and it doesn't hold strong enough, allen key no good, maybe Alyn is the key, LOL. Just ordered this from MSM with preorder discount, any idea when they will begin shipping these?
Nice!!
Alyn this looks great. I am using a star adventurer 2i and a manfrotto x pro ball head. Would this work with this or is it only compatible with the MSM tracker? Ps which indexing rotator do you use to simplify overlaps in the dark?
Well well well, guess I'm gonna be watching this tonight!
I think I will also use the Z plate with panorama work to create a simple 'shift' platform as I don't have a tilt/shift lens for my mirrorless camera system. It's might be possible to use the Z to create an off center mount and simply rotate it 180 degrees and rotate the camera so I can get two overlapping but identical perspectives with a wide angle lens. Certainly would be significant for near ground elements and architecture.
Interesting! I look forward to the results
Hi, ive just bought an omegon LX 2, I only have enough money for one of the platforms, which one would you recommend? And for the base of the tracker or the camera mount?
So do you do the polar alignment through the camera, not using a laser pointer?
I’ve just bought a star adventurer pro and I think this would work on there instead of a ball head on the adapter for wide angle Astro shots.... *orders it straight away 😂👍
can we use it with star adventurer alyn? thank you for this innovation.
There is also another location for arcaswiss plate on MSM. Solves that problem partially.
Thanks so much for this Alyn, just order the Z Platform. Have tried other Z mounts just like you pointed out, have always been puzzled by the absence of a straight forward and robust locking system. Interesting to see it used as an equatorial mount, how easy do you find it to acquire alignment with this versus something like the Benro 3 geared head?
Alignment with the geared head will be easier and more precise but with a steady hand the V and Z are great
instead of a wedge i would go for a z platform i suppose. seems like a cool solution as a ball head as well👍
Hi Alyn, I bought both the V and Z platforms on preorder. They make the move shoot move so much easier. One question on Panorama’s - would you do a video on doing one using these as I’m still not sure if I should correct for the rotation after a tracked shot before rotating slightly?
It's on my list to do in the next 1-2 months
Nice