Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace

Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace

$45.00
$39.00
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Specification:

Max load: 4kg
Item weight:

Z Platform, 220 gram

V Platform, 175 gram

Material:  Aluminum Alloy


Hi Friends,

 

For months we have been refining a new product designed together with professional landscape astrophotographer, Alyn Wallace (website). Now, we're ready for pre-order.

Below is a quick review of the journey, we hope you enjoy:

On the 14th June 2020, MSM ambassador Alyn Wallace told us that he has an idea for a new star tracker platform to solve the following problems:

Check what our users say:

 

The Problem:

- When at latitudes close to the equator it becomes very difficult to use the ball head on top of a star tracker.

-It’s also difficult to do panoramas, regardless of latitude.

The Solution

Adding a “Star Tracker Platform” so that the ball head becomes level. The angle can be adjusted and locked into place and the platform can also be rotated. The platform is a perfect match for the Move Shoot Move rotator but also works with any star tracker..

Later, we researched all the possible alternative solutions, practicing and using, finally came to the first version as below:

1st Version, mainly verifying the mechanism to lock the angled platform and also the rotating base.

 

2nd Version, Enlarged the center rotation section.

3rd version,

- Wrapped the rotating disc to prevent dust entering.

- Changed screw to handle.

4th Version,

Added more space for the bottom handle, so we can operate with gloves.

And Finally, the final 5th Version, with some minor improvements to launch the production.

Below is the performance of the MSM Platform

Below is the performance of OTHERS 

Wait a moment, it may take around 10s to load all gifs.

Work as a tripod head

 Alyn Wallace Z platform

 

V or Z? Which Should You Buy? 
The V and Z platforms both solve the problem of having your ballhead at an awkward angle when on a star tracker. So what's the difference? 

The V platform is for those who want to save weight. If you're already using a heavy setup you may not have much room to add weight on top of the MSM which has a payload of 3kg.

The Z platform has the added benefit of being able to be used to replace the ball head on a tripod when not using a star tracker at all. You can also use the Z platform as a table-top tripod. So it's an exchange of versatility for a little added weight.

  

Customer Reviews

Based on 251 reviews
89%
(224)
10%
(25)
1%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
N
Norman Whitehead (North Vancouver, CA)
Handy gadget

This platform is great for aiming a camera anywhere from a star tracker; much lighter than a ballhead.

D
David García Sánchez (Mostoles, ES)
Placa Z

Buen material y acabado ahora a ponerla en práctica para hacer panos

A
Alan Broomby (Canberra, AU)
Z/V platform

I bought both of these, great quality and works amazing with my tracker, though they both have many other uses. Thanks for a great product.

M
Mark Kuznitz
Really useful product

I purchased both the Z and V Platforms and have found really good used for both. The Z platform came with an undersize 3/8-16 screw hole on the base and had to be replaced. I would like to see a better quality 3/8-16 to 1/4-20 adapter come with the product.

K
KONSTANTINOS KATSALIS (Thessaloniki, GR)
Multiple Uses Z/V Platform

Very good quality, strong and tight, can hold a relatively heavy camera and lens. I really liked it. And also great delivery time!

D
Darryl Robertson (Prospect, CA)
Z Mount for night photography

I use the Z mount on a sky tracker for night photography. It is important to keep the camera and lens centre balanced and the ability to rotate the mount solves that issue (a ball head can't do that). I was surprised at how small and light the Z mount is but it is rock solid and performs extremely well.

A
Adrien Ledoux (Gravesend, GB)
Good small tracker but the pointer could be more precise

Didn’t have that much time to try the tracker but I found it a bit hit and miss to use the pointer to star align. I have to admit that the process of pointing at the North Star is so much more fun than using a polar scope, especially that I have some strong public light in my garden that makes it nearly impossible to use a polar scope.
I like the fact that I can take it in my bag for any trip and it does not make space, I would love to see a version where I can easily use my 100:400mm.

F
Fernando Santano Núñez

Multiple Uses Z/V Platform, designed with Professional Photographer Alyn Wallace

J
John (Santa Clara, US)
Very Sturdy Products

If someone showed me an MSM V or Z platform, I would have to assume it cost a lot because it is so well machined. But it does not cost much at all.

C
C Taylor (Salem, US)
Alyn Wallace Z Platform

Solid and well built with great adjustability. Reasonably priced and better quality than other manufacturer's offerings of similar design.

123
NL
Dutch