Kaidan Tripod Manuale utente
User’s Guide - V1.1 - 12 Jan 2005
KiWi Panoramic Tripod Head
™
KiWi Panoramic Tripod Head Overview
Thank you for purchasing a Kaidan
KiWi™ Panoramic Tripod Head.
This manual is designed to help you
understand how to use your KiWi to
create quality panoramas. This docu-
ment will be revised occasionally and
updated versions can be downloaded
from the KiWi page on the Kaidan
web site.
Kaidan popularized panoramic VR/
QTVR panoramic photography with
our KiWi™ tripod head more than
8 years ago. The new KiWi contin-
ues that tradition with an affordable,
rugged, lightweight and elegant design
that includes an innovative detent
click-stop mechanism (10, 12, 14, 16,
18, 20 stops are standard; 2 through
28 stops optional), handy Click-
Disc storage accessory pouch with
number-of-shots chart, built-in bubble
level and an adjustable camera bracket.
The KiWi is also easily upgradeable
with optional camera brackets to sup-
port fisheye lenses and quick-release
camera mounts.
While the KiWi will be an excellent
choice for many photographers just
getting started in panoramic photog-
raphy, it will also appeal to profes-
sionals who require a compact and
Welcome to the Kaidan KiWi and Panoramic Photography
lightweight travelling companion.
The KiWi is built around a sturdy
and precise Rotator Base with inter-
changable ClickDiscs. There are
interchangeable camera brackets that
slide and lock onto the Rotator Base.
The KiWi makes it easy to capture a
sequence of photos that are stitched
to form a complete panoramic image.
It holds the camera in the optimum
portrait orientation, positions the
camera so that it rotates around the
optical center or nodal point of the
lens and provides a repeatable and ad-
justable click-stop indexing mechanism.
The KiWi is designed to handle a
wide range of digital and film cameras
as well as conventional wide-angle and
fisheye lenses. You'll be able to use
any stitching or panoramic application
available, such as those from Apple,
iSeeMedia, iPIX, VR Toolbox, Realviz,
Panotools and Easypano because the
KiWi is adaptable to handle any situa-
tion, camera, lens or software.
1
The KiWi Family
Compact Camera Bracket & Twin-Axis Adapter
(Optional)
The Compact Camera Bracket and the
Twin-Axis Adapter are designed to support
most digital and film cameras that are equipped
with fisheye lenses, and will also appeal to those
users who desire two independent axes of
adjustment. The two axes of adjustment positions
the lens in such a manner so as not to capture
any more of the Rotator Base than necessary.
When a camera equipped with a circular fisheye
lens is installed on the bracket, only a small
segment of the Rotator Base will appear in
the image. These features are ideal for those
using iPIX software, Panoweaver (www.easypano.
net) and other software applications that use
fisheye images.
Standard Camera Bracket
The Standard Camera Bracket is designed
to support most digital and film cameras in a
portrait orientation. Used primarily to shoot
single-row or cylindrical panoramas, the
Standard Camera Bracket can be adjusted
along the horizontal arm of the Rotator Base
in order to locate the camera in the side-to-
side orientation. There are three slots in the
bracket, that when used with various positioning
aids, provide for the fore-aft adjustment of the
camera's optical center, or nodal point, over the
rotational center of the tripod head.
KiWi Rotator Base & Accessory Pouch
The primary component in the KiWi family is
the Rotator Base. The base uses interchange-
able indexing discs called ClickDiscs that
provide various click-stop positions. The base
contains an integral circular bubble level and ac-
commodates either 1/4” or 3/8” tripod threads.
Included with every KiWi is a convenient Ac-
cessory Pouch. The pouch is used to store your
ClickDiscs, set screw wrench and can also be
used to store memory cards and other small
items. The pouch has a handy "Number of Shots"
chart which will help you determine which disc
to use and how many shots to take.
Introducing the KiWi Components
Optional Quick Release Camera Brackets
The Standard and Twin-Axis Camera Brackets
have optional Quick Release Camera Brackets.
Based on the popular Arca-Swiss standard, the
Quick Release Brackets provide an elegant and
lightweight solution for quick and repeatable
installation and removal. Arca-compatible camera
plates are available for most popular cameras.
The plates typically attach to the bottom of your
camera using the tripod mounting thread. Most
plates have 1/4-20 tapped holes to still provide
a way for you to attach the camera to a tripod.
This option is ideal for those photographers who
shoot with multiple cameras or need to remove
the camera from the head for conventional
photography.
2
Rotator Base
Standard Camera
Bracket
Compact Camera Bracket
& Twin-Axis Adapter
Optional
Quick Release Brackets
Accessory
Pouch
KiWi ClickDiscs
Disassembly
1) The Rotator Base
is held together with a
recessed set screw which is
located at the zero degree
position on the barrel. Use
the set screw wrench lo-
cated in the blue accessory
pouch and loosen the set
screw (do not remove) by
turning several revolutions
counter-clockwise.
2) With the set screw
loosened, remove the axle
by pulling up on the knob
which contains the bubble
level.
3) The axle has a thin
plastic washer. This washer
should always go between
the knob of the axle and
the horizontal plate. Leave
the plastic washer on the
axle.
4) You can remove the
ClickDisc from its cavity
in the top of the indexing
barrel by pulling up on the
tab of the ClickDisc.
How to install and remove ClickDisc indexing discs
3
Barrel w/ClickDisc
Installed
Set Screw Wrench in Barrel
Rotator Base Assembly ClickDisc Accessory Pouch with 6
ClickDiscs and Set Screw Wrench
KiWi ClickDiscs
Assembly
1) Install the appropriate
ClickDisc into the cavity on
the top of the barrel. Be sure to
orient the tab of the ClickDisc
into the notch of the barrel.
Push the ClickDisc into posi-
tion.
2) Place the horizontal plate
over the barrel and reinsert the
axle. Make sure that the plastic
washer is on the axle.
3) Push down on the knob of
the axle to compress the as-
sembly and to retract the spring
plunger fully. As you apply pres-
sure on the knob, use the set
screw wrench to tighten and se-
cure the axle in position. There
should be no discernable play
between the barrel and plate.
4) You may find it easier under
certain circumstances to
unscrew and retract the spring
plunger just a bit. It will be
easier to compress the assembly
this way. Be sure to readjust the
plunger afterwards.
How to install and remove ClickDisc indexing discs
4
Barrel w/ClickDisc Installed
Set Screw Wrench in Barrel
Axle w/Plastic
Washer
Horizontal Plate
Barrel
ClickDisc
Set Screw Wrench
KiWi Rotator Base
Tripod threaded bushing adapter
The KiWi comes with a tripod adapt-
er bushing which accommodates both
1/4-20 inch and 3/8-16 inch threaded
tripod mounts.
1/4 inch Tripod
If your tripod has a 1/4 inch threaded
mount, leave the brass bushing in the
center hole in the bottom of the rota-
tor as shown at lower left.
3/8 inch Tripod
If your tripod has 3/8 inch threaded
mount, remove the brass bushing by
unscrewing it in a counterclockwise
direction and screwing it into the
adjacent hole in a clockwise direction
using a coin (or large screwdriver) as
shown at lower right.
Use the spare outer hole to store the
brass bushing when you're using the
3/8 inch thread. That way, you won't
lose the bushing!
5
Adapter
Bushing
1/4-20 Thread with Bushing in cen-
ter position
3/8-16 Thread with Bushing in stor-
age position
Spring Plunger Indexing
How to adjust the spring force and click-stop action.
The KiWi uses a spring plunger
which is threaded into the horizontal
plate. This plunger works with the
ClickDisc to provide a solid and
smooth click-stop action.
The force of the plunger and the feel
of the detent action can be adjusted
by threading the plunger in and out
of the horizontal plate. You can use a
wide-blade screwdriver or a thin coin
to adjust the plunger. The more you
thread the plunger in (clockwise), the
click stops will be more distinct and
firm. As you thread the plunger out
(counter-clockwise) the click stops
will become more gentle.
Do not overtighten the spring plunger.
The plunger body surrounding the
tip should not bottom out or hit
the ClickDisc. If you feel binding
or scratching during rotation, the
plunger is probably too far down. If
there's play in the detent action, then
the plunger is probably not down far
enough.
6
Spring Plunger
Standard Camera Bracket - Camera Mounting
Mounting your camera on the Standard Camera Bracket
To mount your camera, first select the
appropriate slot in the bracket that
will best locate the tripod mount-
ing thread on your camera. You may
need to reposition the camera knob.
To remove the knob simply slide it
along the slot to the end that has the
threaded hole. Unscrew the knob out
of the threaded hole, being careful not
to crossthread. Replace the knob into
the appropriate slot by reversing the
procedure. The camera knob is a two
piece design, with an inner and outer
knob. Before installing the camera
knob in the Standard Camera
Bracket, turn the inner knob clock-
wise into the outer knob until it won’t
turn anymore. Next, install the knob
into the appropriate slot then into the
tripod mounting hole of your camera.
Turn the inner knob into the camera
until it bottoms out, then turn the
outer knob clockwise until the camera
is tight on the bracket.
The Standard Camera Bracket
comes with two camera positioning
aids. There is a flat camera shoe and
a right-angle lug that slide and lock
along any of the three slots. These
are used as aids to keep your camera
perpendicular and also serve as a
placeholder for you to re-attach your
camera in the same location. Slide
these adjusters into the best spot on
your camera to ensure a square and
secure mounting.
The Standard Camera Bracket
also has an innovative DiamondGrip
surface on the camera mounting side.
This special friction surface will help
to hold your camera's base securely to
the bracket without slippage.
The left-right adjustment to center
your lens over the pivot point is ac-
complished by loosening the purple
knob and sliding the bracket. Be sure
to tighten the knob to lock the brack-
et in place. The fore-aft adjustment is
made by loosening the camera knob
and sliding the camera along the slot.
7
Camera Shoe
Camera Lug
Camera Knob
Left-Right
Adjustment Knob
DiamondGrip
Surface
Camera
Shoe
Compact Camera Bracket & Twin-Axis Adapter (Optional)
Mounting your camera on the Twin-Axis Camera Bracket
The Compact Camera Bracket
is offered as an optional choice when
purchasing a KiWi. You can also
purchase it separately. When used
with Twin Axis Adapter, it provides
two separate axes of adjustment. This
makes it easier to slide the camera
into the proper position in order to
locate the nodal point over the axis
of rotation. There are two sliding and
locking adjustments with purple lock-
ing knobs.
This bracket is also the best choice
for those who use fisheye lenses. Since
the camera's optical axis is inline with
the main horizontal plate, the only
part of the tripod head which appears
in the shot with a circular fisheye lens
is a small semicircular portion of the
base.
The Compact Camera Bracket has
three threaded holes for the Camera
Knob. Use the hole that is most ap-
propriate for your particular camera.
The modular construction of the
makes it easy to loosen the adjust-
ment axes and quickly remove the
various elements. There are conve-
nient measurement scales in both axes
to ease reassembly.
An optional Arca-style Quick Release
plate is available as an option for the
Compact Camera Bracket. It can be
purchased with the bracket or pur-
chased and installed at any time.
You can also purchase the Twin-Axis
Adapter separately and use it with
the Standard Camera Bracket (as
shown below). This provides additional
mounting surface area and the use of
lugs and shoes to help retain the cam-
era. This is a better choice for those
not using a quick-release plate.
8
Quick Release Camera Mounts (Optional)
Arca Swiss Style Quick Release Plates
Both the Standard Camera Bracket
and the Compact Camera Bracket can
be ordered or upgraded with a Quick
Release Mount.
These mounts are simply bolted on
the respective bracket and make it
easy to remove and replace your
camera in seconds.
The Standard and Compact Cam-
era Brackets have optional Quick
Release Camera Brackets. Based on
the popular Arca-Swiss standard, the
Quick Release Brackets provide an
elegant and lightweight solution for
quick and repeatable installation and
removal. Arca-compatible camera
plates are available for most popular
cameras. The plates typically attach
to the bottom of your camera using
the tripod mounting thread. Most
plates have 1/4-20 tapped holes to still
provide a way for you to attach the
camera to a tripod. This option is ideal
for those photographers who shoot
with multiple cameras or need to
remove the camera from the head for
conventional photography.
9
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