Vixen QHD-33 Ball Head

The Vixen POLARIE is a new camera accessory, that enables you to capture sharp, point-like images of the stars. It has been developed to track the stars and to compensate for the movement of the earth. POLARIE enables you to take atmospheric shots of landscapes and the night sky and can also capture these in sharp images. Extremely simple and compact design for use in every location on earth. If you have ever viewed a romantic, starry sky, you will surely have felt the desire to capture it on film. But if you have tried to do this, you will know that it’s really not all that easy. This is because you need to have multiple exposures of several minutes if you want to photograph the stars. As our earth is always turning on its axis, the stars keep moving as time passes and become long strokes on photographs. Today’s digital technology gives us the option of obtaining shorter exposure times by increasing the sensitivity of the sensor, but, unfortunately, this dramatically increases picture noise and the picture becomes very noisy and ugly. This makes it impossible to take beautiful images of the night sky. For this reason, the Vixen company has developed the Polarie Star Tracker, which eliminates the problem of star migration. When you attach your camera to the Polarie, the device will track in the opposite direction of earth’s rotation and this allows for sharp, point-like images of the starry sky even when using long exposure times. POLARIE is a new and unique camera accessory for photographing the night sky, with perfectly point-like stars being tracked. Using the simplest solution, it makes the experience of photographing the night sky more accessible for everyone. The multi-functional mode dial is adjustable for sky- and landscape-, moon-, sun- and star-tracking. Polar altimeter for a fast focus. Also included: USB connection for external power supply and a built-in compass for quick orientation. Available as optional extra accessories are a polar finder telescope for exact alignment with the celestial pole for long-exposure photography including into the telephoto range, and a tripod. FEATURES Tracking speed: Sidereal, 0.5x sidereal, sun, moon Fine adjustment: F57, 6mm worm wheel with 144 teeth Polar axis: F 40mm, aluminium alloy Drive: High-precision stepper motor: Bearing capacity: approx. 2kg incl. ball head Orientation aperture: Field of vision 8.9° vInclinometer: 0° to 70° Miscellaneous: Built-in compass (removable) Power supply: 2x AA batteries (compatible with alkaline, Ni-MH, Ni-CD batteries) or external power supply compatible with USB mini-B Drive voltage: AA batteries: DC2,4-3.0V, Max. 0.6A External power supply: DC4,4-5,25V, max. 0.3A Operating time: approx. 2 hours with alkaline batteries Approx. 20 hours with external power supply at 20°C with 2 kg load Operating temperature: 0° to 40° Dimensions: 95mm x 137mm x 58mm Weight: 740g without batteries Optional accessories available: Polar finder telescope, M-155 tripod, QPL compass, ball head WHAT’S INCLUDED 1x camera mount

The POLARIE U is an ultra-compact automatic star tracking device that can be easily transported.In addition to the functions of conventional star trackers, which track a camera for a long exposures, accurately tracking the regular movement of celestial objects, the POLARIE U has a speed adjustment function, which allows it to be used as a panning mount too for time lapse photography.Using a smartphone, you can control the shutter release intervals of the images. Through the communication between the smartphone and the POLARIE U Star Tracker, you can control the exposures and take beautiful, sharp pictures of the stars and the Milky Way without getting any star trailing.The Star Tracker is very small and light weight, making it ideal for mobile use or air travel.The Vixen POLARIE U Star Tracker in detail:Star-scape photography (stars and landscape).A silhouetted landscape on earth is photographed together with the starry sky. The beauty of a landscape and the starry sky can be shown together on one photo. POLARIE U opens up a wonderful foreign world of star-scape photography and makes this possible for both beginners and advanced photographers.Conventional telescopic astrophotography photographs a relatively narrow area of the sky. Star-scape photography mainly uses a wide-angle lens and takes impressive photos in which stars, and other celestial targets such as the majestic Milky Way and landscapes are combined. The possibilities of the compositions are endless and a completely new kind of landscape photography opens up.Weight reduction of more than 20% and improved load capacity.The structure of the original POLARIE has been completely changed. The distance between the two bearings that support the rotating shaft is about four times the distance of the previous model. This leads to a higher load capacity despite the weight reduction of 20%. The maximum load capacity is 2.5 kg (approx. 2.5 kg at 10 cm from the centre of rotation) when used for wide-field astrophotography. The maximum load capacity is increased to 6.5 kg (approx. 6.5 kg at 10 cm from the centre of rotation) when a POLARIE Multi mounting block (optional) and a dovetail slide rail DD (optional) are combined. In addition, used in vertical configuration, the POLARIE U can reach a load capacity of 10 kg (approx. 10 kg 10 cm from the centre of rotation) for time-lapse photography and is therefore suitable for heavy camera equipment.Settings via SmartphoneCommunication between tracker and smartphone via the Vixen Polarie U App enables various settings via smartphones or tablet. For star/landscape photography, the speed is selected in user-defined mode, and for time-lapse photography, settings for interval time, exposure, and rotation speed can also be easily programmed.Five different speeds:Star-scape photography (half star speed). This setting is intended for displaying a landscape together with the starry sky. The stars are not tracked exactly, but slower in order not to blur the landscape in the foreground. This way you get beautiful images of the landscape and the starry sky.Wide Field Astrophotography (Star Speed)When this mode is selected, the POLARIE U follows the stars at the same speed as the daily movement of the stars. In this mode, widefield long time exposures of comets, nebulae, star clusters and the Milky Way are made and tracked precisely.Solar Tracking (solar speed)For recording solar eclipses over a long period of time.Moon Tracking (moon speed)For recording lunar eclipses over a long period of time.Custom ModeThis allows you to set the POLARIE U to the desired tracking speed. The initial setting is four times the star speed. If you want to change the setting for a different speed, a smartphone or other wifi device and application software are required.Shoot-Move-Shoot ModeIt is possible to stop the movement of the camera during the exposure and restart it after the end of the exposure. It is also equipped with a camera connector (shutter release) that controls the camera shutter during shooting with SMS or interval shooting. If the camera in use is connected with the cable release, the settings can be easily adjusted using a smartphone. A Wi-Fi connection is required when using this feature. An additional cable is required to connect the camera and POLARIE U together.Autoguider portCommercially available autoguiders can be used with the POLARIE U (Usable only in R.A.).  An important new feature over the original Polarie - attach a small Guidescope, or Off Axis Guider and autoguiding camera to your main camera and use the standard ST-4 protocol port to guide the Polarie U in Right Ascension, ensuring absolute accuracy of tracking (requires additional separate computer, or standalone guider). FEATURES    Speeds: Sidereal rate, 0.5X star speed, sun, moon. North / South hemisphere compatible    Operating System: Android 4.4 and over or iOS 9.9 and over Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g    Worm gear: RA gear rim with 144 teeth (58.4 mm Al alloy)    Screw: 9.8 mm brass    RA and DC axis: 40mm, aluminium alloy    Motor drive: electric motor drive with impulse motor (stepper motor)    Load capacity: 2.5 kg standard, 6.5 kg with special accessories, 10 kg with fast motion    Wi-Fi function for Smartphone    Direction finder tube: 8.9 degree field of view without magnification.    Power supply: USB Type-C or 4x AA batteries    Dimensions: 88.5mm x 72mm x 110.5mm    Weight: 575gSCOPE OF DELIVERY    POLARIE U Star Tracker    Attachable direction finder

Are you looking for a robust and lightweight video tripod for on the go? The Bresser TR-688V combines mobility, precision, and ease of use – everything you need for razor-sharp images and smooth video recordings. This lightweight video tripod is designed for anyone who needs both stability and flexibility while on the move. With a maximum working height of 171 cm, individually adjustable tripod legs, and a smooth-operating 2-way video head, this tripod is the ideal companion for both amateur and advanced users. Perfect for on-location shoots Thanks to its low weight of just 2 kg and compact transport length of approx. 70 cm, the Bresser TR-688V is easy to take along on hikes, outdoor shoots, or trekking tours. The sturdy handle provides additional carrying comfort, and the hook under the center column allows you to hang a counterweight or camera bag for added stability. Professional functionality The quick-release plate and stepless height adjustment from 63.5 to 171 cm make it easy to work quickly and vibration-free. Ideal for video recordings, but also suitable for photography or use with a lighter spotting scope. Thanks to the 2-way panhead, you can position your camera precisely and follow movements smoothly – ideal for dynamic shots or tracking subjects. FEATURES Suitable for video and photo, also for lighter spotting scopes 2-way panhead for smooth horizontal and vertical movements Load capacity: up to 3 kg Stepless height adjustment: 63.5 – 171 cm Individually adjustable tripod legs with quick-release clamps Folds down compactly to just 70 cm Weight: approx. 2 kg INCLUDED IN DELIVERY Bresser TR-688V tripod with 2-way video head Quick-release plate Carrying bag with shoulder strap