Panning Head “Made in Italy” Fits Any Slider
Review by Erik Vlietinck
The AutoPan is a universal panning head that allows you to create panoramas, as well as track a subject. The innovative AutoPan works with sliders and dollies and has multiple usage settings, including one where you use the head as a base for a rotating display. The AutoPan can be remote controlled with an upcoming smartphone app.
The AutoPan keeps your camera focused on one point while moving the camera past your subject. It can also create panoramas or rotate freely. The device has a 360° range and is battery powered. It has been designed to work in a horizontal plane.
Three ports sit at the side of the unit: a DC power port to charge the battery, an external sensor port, and a shutter-release port. Operating buttons are at the opposite side of the spring-loaded cable that makes the head move in sync with the motion of the camera. The 3-meter cable is made of a very smooth synthetic material. You’re supposed to attach the cable to either end of the slider (or if you’re using a dolly, either end of the motion path).
The AutoPan has a built-in motor that makes the head rotate. It’s incredibly silent. With two buttons on the unit, you can rotate the head clockwise or counterclockwise to put it in a starting/in-between/end position. There are 10 keyframes to set. The panning motion of the AutoPan is buttery smooth and the sync system is very accurate.
SHOOTOOLS is about to release a smartphone app that will allow you to control the unit via Wi-Fi. You’ll be able to move the head freely, control a DSLR for time-lapse photography, etc. You’ll also be able to control the AutoPan in tandem with external sensors. ■
