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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
iOptron Ball Head Top Plate

iOptron Ball Head Top Plate

par iOptron
UGC IOP-3308
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
Égalisation de prix!
  • Adapts Vixen-Style Dovetail Bars to Photographic Ball Heads
  • Enables Mounting of Small Telescopes or Lenses on Camera Tripods
  • Creates a Lightweight, Portable Astrophotography Platform
  • Ideal for Wide-Field Imaging and Grab-and-Go Setups
En rupture temporaire
Alerte de retour en stock
Info disponibilité
Admissible à la livraison GRATUITE aux USA pour les commandes de plus de 350$.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Ball Head Top Plate

    The Ball Head Top Plate is a simple, effective adapter designed to mount astronomical equipment onto standard photographic ball heads. This plate features a dovetail saddle, allowing you to attach small telescopes, telephoto lenses, or guide scopes that use a Vixen-style mounting bar directly to your existing camera tripod. It serves as the crucial link between your photographic support system and your astronomical optics.

    Mount Astronomical Optics on Your Photographic Ball Head

    This dovetail plate unlocks the astronomical potential of your heavy-duty camera tripod and ball head. By providing a secure Vixen-style saddle, it allows you to bypass the need for a dedicated astronomical mount for casual, wide-field observing or imaging. This creates an ultra-portable, grab-and-go setup perfect for travel or quick sessions.

    While a photographic ball head does not offer the precise tracking of an equatorial mount, it is more than sufficient for untracked wide-field astrophotography of constellations or the Milky Way. It's also an excellent solution for mounting a small guide scope or a spotting scope for terrestrial viewing.

  • What is the primary purpose of the Ball Head Top Plate?

    The Ball Head Top Plate is an adapter that allows you to attach a telescope or other optic with a Vixen-style dovetail bar to a standard photographic ball head. It bridges the gap between astronomy-specific mounting hardware and general photography equipment.

    How does the Ball Head Top Plate attach to a ball head?

    Typically, such plates attach to a ball head's quick-release clamp (like an Arca-Swiss style plate would) or via standard threaded sockets (like 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16) on the underside of the plate. This allows for direct and secure mounting to most photographic heads.

    What kind of equipment can I mount with this Ball Head Top Plate?

    This plate is ideal for lightweight equipment, such as:

    • Small, short-focal-length refractor telescopes
    • Telephoto camera lenses fitted with a dovetail bar
    • Guide scopes or finderscopes
    • Spotting scopes for terrestrial observation

    Can I use the Ball Head Top Plate for long-exposure astrophotography of the Orion Nebula (M42)?

    No, not for long exposures. A photographic ball head does not track the sky's rotation. For capturing details in deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42), you would need an equatorial mount or a star tracker. This plate is best suited for untracked, wide-angle shots of the sky or for visual use.

    Is the Ball Head Top Plate a good solution for mounting a William Optics RedCat 51?

    Yes, this is an excellent use case. A small, wide-field telescope like the RedCat 51 is a perfect match for the Ball Head Top Plate when mounted on a sturdy photo tripod. This combination creates a highly portable setup for wide-field imaging, especially when paired with a separate, compact star tracker.

    What are the limitations of using a Ball Head Top Plate for astronomy?

    The main limitation is the stability and functionality of the ball head itself. Ball heads are not designed for the fine, smooth adjustments needed to center astronomical objects at high magnification and they do not provide any form of tracking to counteract Earth's rotation. It is a solution for low-power, wide-field applications only.

  • Compatibility Mounts optics with Vixen-style dovetail bars to photographic ball heads

  • For warranty information, please contact the manufacturer or our customer support team.