Description
PGD TRACKER KIT – for Wildlife Photographers, for Sports Photographers and for ANY Photographers shooting fast moving subjects – easily follow and accurately frame your subject in action with both eyes at a comfortable distance from the camera viewfinder! In addition, the PGD Tracker is also very useful as a visual aid for setting up non-moving targets, as well.
The PGD Tracker kit facilitates keeping fast moving photo subjects in the frame while shooting with telephoto lenses without having to look through the camera’s viewfinder. Tracking a subject is infinitely easier using both eyes while simply keeping the Tracker reticle on the subject!
Optical reflex sights are used with firearms for one basic reason–fast and accurate target acquisition. The same concept works for long focal length photography. It is very difficult to find and keep moving targets in sight when using the viewfinder!
The technical challenge is mounting the sight to the camera in a way that maintains repeatable accuracy. The optical sight must mount to the camera easily and in precisely the same alignment every time!
Photo Gear Designs’ ESM (External Sight Mount) design is the result of an evolution and refinement of a simple but extremely precise design. It is built in the USA using the highest quality structural and UV resistant plastic, machined to very close tolerances on modern CNC equipment. The mount rail is aircraft grade aluminum machined to the minimum necessary dimensions. It is anodized for lifetime reliability. The ESM is very strong and rigid yet weighs only 27 grams!
While testing the ESM we discovered an ideal optical reflex sight with the qualities we desired:
–A large lens for the projected reticle with minimum field of view obstruction v Multiple reticle styles
–Red and Green reticle colors
–Rugged design and good weather resistance
We made additional changes to the design to optimize the sight for our photographic mission and we added our name to it as an ideal match for the ESM mount, resulting in the PGD Tracker Kit! We are not only passionate photographers, we are perfectionists who demand excellence. We are proud to be able to now offer this kit to our fellow photographers!
The PGD Tracker Kit includes:
–One PGD Tracker optimized optical reflex multi reticle sight & One PGD ESM External Sight Mount
–A pre-installed CR2032 battery and one spare
–Two hex wrenches
–One Hi Viz storage pouch v Lens cleaning cloth
Specifications:
–Type: Viewfinder with changeable reticle
–Works with any camera with a flash shoe
–weight: 8.4 oz
–Height-Width-Length: 3″ x 1 ½” x 3 3/16″
–1 year manufacturer’s warranty – Photo Gear Designs
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PGD TRACKER QUICK SETUP
Your Tracker can be set up easily in a matter of minutes. Just follow the steps below.
You will need your camera with lens, the Tracker, the included 3mm hex key, and a tripod.
Find a place where you have a line of sight to a small object that appears approximately 6-12 inches in size from your location. It could be a no parking sign, part of a tree, a bird house, a mailbox, etc.. It should be a great distance away, (hundreds to thousands of feet depending on your lens), so that your cameras center focus point nearly covers the object.
Slide the PGD Tracker into the flash shoe of your camera until it stops. Then tighten the clamp screw knob firmly using fingers only. The Tracker should be securely in place with no perceived looseness.
Turn the PGD Tracker on by rotating the top dial to the green or red #5, the brightest. Set the Tracker reticle to the “dot” style using the toggle switch moved fully left.
Set your tripod to a height that will allow you to easily see through the tracker. Mount your camera on the tripod. Then focus and center on the target object with your lens zoomed to maximum focal length. Lock the ball head.
With the camera center focal point on the target object, raise your eye to look over the top of the Tracker and through the center of the Tracker lens to locate the reticle and see where it is relative to your target object. Adjust the up/down and right/left adjusters with the supplied 3mm hex key so that the reticle dot is on the same spot as your camera center focal point. Use one hand to gently hold the Tracker while you are making adjustments.
Tracker set up is complete! Set your camera focus system to continuous mode and a multiple focus point array. 9-25 points usually works best. Consult your camera manual as every camera has similar but different settings.
You are done! Practice on stationary and slow moving targets, close and far, to get used to shooting with the PGD Tracker. And please note, TURN OFF your PGD Tracker when not in use, and NEVER use the PGD Tracker as a handle to carry your camera. Enjoy!
