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.
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 👍🏻
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 🤩
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 ; )
I keep coming back to many of Alyns videos to further my knowledge and sometimes just to chill... But I am always left saddened by his passing :( Have been researching nomad setup options and can not believe I wasn't aware that I could pull on the Z/V mount handles to re-orient their position... I've hurt my fingers so many times trying to get the grip/ leverage in awkward angles... 🤣💩🙈
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.
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
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!
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 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 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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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...
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!
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.
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?
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💪
Hello Alyn, this might be a dumb question, so apologies! You are talking about correcting the rotation of the v/z mount when it reaches a certain point. I presume you only do that when you have stopped shooting a particular sequence, as if you move it back to centre, you would be changing your composition. Thank you
When doing a panorama you change your composition every shot. After a while, the rotation from the star tracker causes the platform to no longer be level with the horizon so you can easily reposition it so that it stays level
@@AlynWallace Thank you very much, I was not thinking of it in the context of a panorama! Hopefully, I will get to try the move shoot move soon. I have had it for 5 days, and not a clear night sky yet!!
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.
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?
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?
Tried to set up my camera for the first time on the MSM and immediately found an issue in having the camera be level espectially if pointing N... Wish I had seen these plates when I initially ordered the MSM ordered 1 of each and can't wait to test em out. It will be so nice to have a star tracker that I don't have to counter weight. I love my iOptron but it's such a pain to lug into landscape photo locations with its counter weight and all
Depends what kit you already have. You'll need a ballhead to go on top of the MSM. Then if you're just doing wide angle stuff a ballhead underneath as well along with the laser kit. But if you want to do telephoto easy deep space targets then it would be worth getting the polar scope and wedge.
@@AlynWallace cheers Alyn, I've got a couple of ballheads so just the laser kit. Sticking to wide angle as I'm scared to start on the path of deep space as I know I'd end up remortgaging my house! I guess the MSM can handle a 135mm but not something like a 100-400?
Hi, I read in several reviews that if you want to use a focal length above 50mm, don't buy it. I have a 75mm 1.2 lens for astrophotography. And my question is, won't it really handle a 75mm lens for Orion or the Milky Way? :) Thank you
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 😂👍
NEED ADVICE: Is Move-Shoot-Move an ok device to use for taking deep sky images of Orion nebula and other deep sky objects at 85mm focal length? I'm interested into getting into deep space astrophotos and don't want to spend unnecessary money if a device like MSM is adequate for getting good images.
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?
Very sturdy. Very little movement compared to when I was using a ball head. The micro bubble levels are a waste of time however, shows centre even when on significant slope
These basically replace a ball head below and above the MSM tracker, Right!!! I have two Z arriving. Can you do a video with a tripod (no ball head) with a leveling center post (faster leveling) with a arca swiss plate then a Z or V plate then the MSM tracker then a Z or V plate but then for multi level panos the L frame pano assembly. I currently just use a fluid head with center leveling and do a 180 deg two level, using a 20mm just 5 shots across and 2 horizontal and 5s a shot maybe a minute total. Yes the stars move (or earth) like the moon and sun their diameters every +/- two minutes. The galactic center season starts here at the 30 deg Feb 11th for a cold early morning so daytime practice is on going. With all you use when out, you are a mule for sure, congrats on the inventions and sales. May travel this year be easier!!!!
How you do tighten this to the MSM without turning the whole motor assembly , just got mine and I want it snug and tight but it wants to turn the whole device around
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.
Well done Alyn, master astro photographer, and now an inventor. Good luck with it all. 🤘🏼👍🏻
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.
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!
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 👍🏻
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 🤩
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:)
I keep coming back to many of Alyns videos to further my knowledge and sometimes just to chill... But I am always left saddened by his passing :(
Have been researching nomad setup options and can not believe I wasn't aware that I could pull on the Z/V mount handles to re-orient their position... I've hurt my fingers so many times trying to get the grip/ leverage in awkward angles... 🤣💩🙈
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.
Great solution to a annoying problem! Great work Alyn et al ! Wes, Liverpool, UK.
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
awesome design...and just what a photographer would need...Thanks Alyn
I bought the z platform and is great. From the hinges, levers, adapters & levels this product is genius!
Thank you Alyn and MSM for your efforts in helping Astro Photography move forward with such a great yet seemingly so simple idea. 🙌🏼
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.
Interesting idea, and nice to see some good engineering Alyn.
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
So nice to see a company take ideas directly from photographers 👍
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!
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.
Fantastic video, Alyn! And these platforms just may be what we all need. Congratulations! 👏🏻
Placed an order for one... help make using mounted binoculars a bit more balanced when observing near the zenith!
These will be useful for macro photography too!
Ordered the Z version Alyn. Looks like a great bit of kit that has been designed someone who knows what’s needed. 👍
Wow Alyn, this could be revolutionary!
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 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.
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.
Amazing work, Alyn! I have just ordered the V. Have a great day!
Excellent Alyn had mine delivered before Christmas superb bit of kit 👍
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
Congrats on the new product. Must be exciting. Just ordered the Z one. Thanks.
Roll on the end of Lockdown! Cant wait to try my Z platform out - huge thanks as always Alyn
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.
Congrats. Very satisfying to design exactly what you need and see it come to fruition.
wow, this is amazing! you the man. thanks Alyn
Very smart design Alyn! Great product. I have ordered 2 Z!
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 :)
Good stuff, just what I needed. Just placed my order.
Mine came today thank you and I like the AW logo on it too. Nice touch
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.
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 👍🏻
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...
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!
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!
This guy gave us so much!! RIP
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 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!
Excellent design Alyn. Going to order the Z now 🙂 Cheers
Ordered a V platform ! Perfect to replace a syrp tilt platform which is sooo expensive.
I have been searching for something like this. Perfect! How do I then connect the Z tracker to my camera with a L bracket?
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?
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💪
Just ordered 2 x Z platforms, one for son and one for me. Awesome thanks
Can’t wait to get my Z platform... this solves so many problems.
Great idea Alyn, have put in my order for a Z.
Nice Overview of The Star Tracker Alyn👍🔭
Looks very helpful. Couldn't decide so I ordered both.
Hello Alyn, this might be a dumb question, so apologies! You are talking about correcting the rotation of the v/z mount when it reaches a certain point. I presume you only do that when you have stopped shooting a particular sequence, as if you move it back to centre, you would be changing your composition. Thank you
When doing a panorama you change your composition every shot. After a while, the rotation from the star tracker causes the platform to no longer be level with the horizon so you can easily reposition it so that it stays level
@@AlynWallace Thank you very much, I was not thinking of it in the context of a panorama! Hopefully, I will get to try the move shoot move soon. I have had it for 5 days, and not a clear night sky yet!!
Just ordered one. This is something that I was looking for.
Looking forward to mine coming Alyn, ordered on Thursday 😀
Great explanation, now I know what to order. Great implementation and great video. Thank You!!
Just ordered both. Great idea and just what’s needed. 👍
There is also another location for arcaswiss plate on MSM. Solves that problem partially.
BRILLIANT 👍🏻
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
I just got my Z mount the other day, Great idea and 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?
Really good gear Alyn 👏👍
Have you taken a look at the Sigma 100-400 DG DN OS? That's a native E-Mount for less than $1000. Thought it'd fit the theme of your channel.
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?
Nice job. Just ordered one because it's cheaper for me to buy than to make it. FYI the large thread is pronounced three eighths not three over eight.
can we use it with star adventurer alyn? thank you for this innovation.
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
it looks like great! i have just ordered both V and Z!
Tried to set up my camera for the first time on the MSM and immediately found an issue in having the camera be level espectially if pointing N... Wish I had seen these plates when I initially ordered the MSM ordered 1 of each and can't wait to test em out. It will be so nice to have a star tracker that I don't have to counter weight. I love my iOptron but it's such a pain to lug into landscape photo locations with its counter weight and all
Niiice!! Mine will arrive next week, along with the MSM tracker!! 🤩🤩
Great explanations, something I was waiting for. My platform is already on the way 🤓
Take my money, just take it all... I'm ordering all the things!
instead of a wedge i would go for a z platform i suppose. seems like a cool solution as a ball head as well👍
These look great 👍 planning to buy a MSM once lockdown lifts, which is the best MSM kit for use in the UK?
Depends what kit you already have. You'll need a ballhead to go on top of the MSM. Then if you're just doing wide angle stuff a ballhead underneath as well along with the laser kit. But if you want to do telephoto easy deep space targets then it would be worth getting the polar scope and wedge.
@@AlynWallace cheers Alyn, I've got a couple of ballheads so just the laser kit. Sticking to wide angle as I'm scared to start on the path of deep space as I know I'd end up remortgaging my house!
I guess the MSM can handle a 135mm but not something like a 100-400?
Hi, I read in several reviews that if you want to use a focal length above 50mm, don't buy it. I have a 75mm 1.2 lens for astrophotography. And my question is, won't it really handle a 75mm lens for Orion or the Milky Way? :) Thank you
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 😂👍
Something I really needed. Thank you.
NEED ADVICE:
Is Move-Shoot-Move an ok device to use for taking deep sky images of Orion nebula and other deep sky objects at 85mm focal length?
I'm interested into getting into deep space astrophotos and don't want to spend unnecessary money if a device like MSM is adequate for getting good images.
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?
Very good design. Thumbs up!
Damn, I've just ordered the laser and hot shoe mount from MSM and was swithering about buying the Z but decided against it.
Very sturdy. Very little movement compared to when I was using a ball head. The micro bubble levels are a waste of time however, shows centre even when on significant slope
So do you do the polar alignment through the camera, not using a laser pointer?
Try a 3 way tip-tilt head like the Bogen 3025. It's much sturdier than a ball + Z bracket, and can be found on Fleabay for around twenty bucks.
The bogen 3025 is big, chunky and will inevitably clash with gear and tracker with those huge knobs. But similar principle yes
You are amazing!!! MSM is on my list ....thank you!!!
These basically replace a ball head below and above the MSM tracker, Right!!! I have two Z arriving. Can you do a video with a tripod (no ball head) with a leveling center post (faster leveling) with a arca swiss plate then a Z or V plate then the MSM tracker then a Z or V plate but then for multi level panos the L frame pano assembly. I currently just use a fluid head with center leveling and do a 180 deg two level, using a 20mm just 5 shots across and 2 horizontal and 5s a shot maybe a minute total. Yes the stars move (or earth) like the moon and sun their diameters every +/- two minutes. The galactic center season starts here at the 30 deg Feb 11th for a cold early morning so daytime practice is on going. With all you use when out, you are a mule for sure, congrats on the inventions and sales. May travel this year be easier!!!!
How you do tighten this to the MSM without turning the whole motor assembly , just got mine and I want it snug and tight but it wants to turn the whole device around
Do you recommend a V & Z or two Zs? Also, is the ball head necessary if using Z platform?
What happened to that space station flying over the moon shot? I can't find it anymore...
Thank you Alyn
Brilliant idea!! Well done son.
Excellent idea - gonna get one or both of these... nice one