A guide to perfect panoramas using nodal shift

May 27, 2015 | Location, Travel | 42 comments

Multiframe panoramas have the added advantage of many more pixels than a standard frame shot taken with a single exposure and as a result lend themselves to the production of large prints.

The pixel dimensions and file sizes from stitched panoramas are considerably bigger than single frame images

The pixel dimensions and file sizes from stitched panoramas are considerably larger than single frame images. This one from my Fuji X-Pro1 with the XF16mm lens is 8322 pixels by 3668 pixels. That is more than 30 million pixels and it would need a 46 million pixel camera with a 3×2 sensor to capture it like the Canon 5Dmk4. But Canon don’t make a lens that will resolve this kind of detail – yet.

By using the latest software like Lightroom 6 (cc) with built in RAW photo merge we can create stunning multi image panoramas. No matter how good the software is it needs great source images to work with. Here is my guide to making great panoramic photographs using Nodal shift.

In days of old, roll film cameras with panoramic proportions 6×17 or even 5″x4″ cameras were used to create negatives large enough to make immensely detailed prints for display. Nowadays we can use carefully shot multiple exposures of a scene taken on a small easy to carry camera and stitch them together however there are problems to overcome.

When you shoot multiframe or sweep panoramas with the camera panned on a standard tripod the side swipe of the lens introduces parallax errors at the image join points. The post production software tries to fudge these irregularities and often delivers panoramas that look great at a distance but suffer at the detail level where the individual frames join.

It doesn’t have to be this way because with the rotation of the camera around the nodal point of the lens such distortions are completely eradicated leaving perfect joins. This even works for the panoramas created in camera with the panorama function.

This scene captured in a woodland near Bristol was stitched from 4 frames.

This scene captured in a woodland near Bristol was stitched from 4 frames. The boats are part of a temporary art installation. Unfortunately the light was poor when I visited the site to test out my nodal shift system. Even the leaves and twigs in the foreground stitched perfectly. The level of micro detail in this 5 frame image is startling.

What is a node?

The node of a lens is its optical centre point. Parallax errors in panoramic pictures can be eliminated by placing the rotation point of the camera at the lens node point. Some lenses have their nodal centre at a point within the front lens group while other lenses seem to have their nodal points near the exit or rear of the lens. Some zooms like the Fuji XF10-24mm have the same nodal point irrespective of focal length selected while other Fuji zooms have nodal points that vary with each focal length setting of the lens. There is absolutely no way to accurately guess a lens nodal point  but there is an easy way to discover it using a tripod, a nodal shift plate and some basic household implements. See my method detailed below.

A Neewer 140mm Nodal shift plate and a Neewer fluid panning device.

A Neewer 140mm Nodal shift plate and the Neewer fluid panning device are okay as budget entry level kit. The Sunwayfoto kit is a better quality all round.

How does the nodal shift plate work?

A nodal shift plate allows the camera and lens to be moved forward or backward to an accurate predetermined position relative the point of rotation so that the unit can rotate about the node of the lens thus eliminating parallax errors in multiframe panoramas.

What bits and bobs do I need to make super high resolution panoramic images?

  • An L plate for your camera with a lens centre marker. If you already have an L plate without one you might be able to scratch a mark onto the plate in exactly the right position using a scriber. I have a Really Right Stuff L plate for my Fuji X-Pro1 and it is perfect for this application. The L plate I have on my X-T1 is not of the same quality and so I use my X-Pro 1 for all my pano needs.
  • A rotation device. I put this on top of my RRS ball and socket head and I use the head to level the rotator. The camera rotation happens on the level rotator and not at the ball head. This means I don’t have to faff around getting my tripod absolutely level. The rotation device has handy degree markings on it too plus three spirit levels. I bought the Neewer model and to be honest it’s not great. It will do me but there are more expensive models out there and again, you will probably get what you pay for.
  • A nodal plate. This comes in different lengths and my friend Len Martin had done some research to determine the 140mm plate is perfect for the Fuji X system and that was good enough for me. Get a plate that is too long and you will see it in the bottom of the shot. The 140mm plate is out of shot even when using the 10-24mm lens at the 10mm setting and the 14mm lens too. If the plate is too short there won’t be enough travel to correctly offset some of the lenses. Len has the Sunwayfoto plate and it is a better made plate than the Neewer one that I have but they both do the same thing.
  • A tripod. I use a Sirui carbon fibre professional travel tripod and it is excellent. It’s by far the best build quality of all the tripods on display at The Photography Show in the UK and at the CP+ show in Japan. I’d say it’s even better made than my uber expensive carbon fibre Gitzo monopod.
In measuring mode the camera is rigged horizontally. The nodal setting is read on the long scale on the slide. Here it happens to be set at 95mm.

In measuring mode the camera is rigged horizontally. The nodal setting is read on the long scale on the slide. Here you can just make out that it is set at 95mm.

A tape target like this temporarily stuck on the wall of my house is used in the calibration process described below.

A tape target like this one temporarily stuck on the wall of my house is used in the calibration process described below.

How do I determine the nodal points of each of my lenses

(You only ever need to do this exercise once for each lens)

  1. Set up a tripod at 8 meters from a tree or wall in your home, garden, a local park or just about anywhere.
  2. Set a thin stick in a vertical orientation halfway between the tripod and the wall or tree. You can use a bamboo cane, a piece of dowel or improvise like I did. I used a reflector holder arm on a lighting stand. The thinner the stick the better.
  3. Place 150mm of sticky tape horizontally on the back wall or tree at the same height as the tripod. You can use masking tape, silver or white gaffa tape etc. With a black marker pen draw vertical lines on the tape as shown.
  4. Rig the rotator on the ball head and level it. Slide in the nodal plate and lock it off at some arbitrary middle point. Set the Camera with lens attached in landscape orientation and clamp it in the nodal plate. The nodal point of the lens is the same in both the vertical and horizontal orientations. We use horizontal mode for our tests to give more precise measurements.
  5. Set the camera to manual focus and f/11. Set the ISO to 200 and adjust the shutter speed to give a well exposed image. Focus somewhere between the stick and the tape.
  6. Using just the LCD or EVF ensure the stick is bang in the middle on the exact line between the camera and the markings on the white tape. The stick or tripod will need to be moved to ensure accurate centering. Use the zoomed in focus aid facility to help you and if there is insufficient depth of field take a shot and zoom in on the playback. Once the camera, stick and tape are perfectly aligned move onto the next step.
  7. To get the nodal plate position in the right ball-park release the panning lock on the rotator and swing the camera left then right. Does the stick appear to move left or right in relation to the tape? If not go to 8. If yes you will need to move the slider in the rotator. If when you pan the camera left to put the target on the right of frame the stick moves right relative to the tape markings you will need to slide the plate back and visa versa. Adjust the forward and back position until it looks good by eye. You can now move onto fine calibration.
  8. Pan the camera to the dead centre position. Use the focus aid box in the centre position of the screen to assist you. Take a shot. playback the shot and zoom into 100% using the quick view function. Check the stick is still perfectly aligned between the markings. Next pan the camera left so the stick and tape are on the extreme right hand side. Take a shot and press playback. quick zoom in to 100% and scoot the shot over to the right hand side to check that it looks the same as the shot you took in the centre position. If the stick has moved right and there are more lines visible on the left of the target the nodal slider needs to be moved back towards you. Repeat the process until both the centre and right hand pictures match. Once they do pan the camera right so that the target is on the extreme left. Compare all the shots and adjust the plate position as required. After several goes at this you will become mm accurate on the the slider position. Notes: I like to format my card after each series of tests so I know exactly what I’m looking at. With Fuji cameras use jpeg fine setting for these tests. If you use RAW only you won’t be able to zoom in on playback to 100% as Fuji cameras only save 50% sized jpegs embedded with RAW files.
  9. You now know the exact nodal point of your lens. Make a note of the settings and numbers used so you can recall them when you are out on location. I use the notes function on my phone and keep a print out in my camera bag too.
  10. Repeat this process from No.7 for each of your lenses.

My results look like this:

For this process I used my Neewer 140mm ‘Arca Swiss’ professional rail nodal slide on a Neewer multi-purpose professional quick release fluid panoramic panning base. My X-Pro1 has an RRS L plate and grip.

Fuji XF10-24mm lens @ 24mm on X-Pro1 = 24mm
Fuji XF
10-24mm lens @ 10mm on X-Pro1 = 24mm
Fuji XF14mm lens on X-Pro1 = 55mm
Fuji XF16mm lens on X-Pro1 = 49mm
Fuji XF18-55mm @ 18mm on X-Pro1 = 47mm
Fuji XF18-55mm @ 55mm on X-Pro1 = 74mm
Fuji XF23mm lens on X-Pro1 = 65mm
Fuji XF35mm lens on X-Pro1 = 86mm
Fuji XF50-140mm @ 50mm on X-Pro1 = 5mm
Fuji XF50-140mm @ 140mm on X-Pro1 = 95mm
Fuji XF55-200mm @ 55mm on X-Pro1 = 35mm
Fuji XF55-200mm @ 200mm on X-Pro1 = 80mm
Fuji XF56mm lens on X-Pro1 = 93mm

The settings for each lens were determined using an f/11 aperture and the standard parallax test described above. I set the foreground pole at 4m and the background marker tape at 8m.

When shooting panorama photographs the camera is rigged vertically using the L plate. The frame top right shows the camera rigged so that the axis of the lens is exactly on the centre line of the rotation. This is why it is good to have accurate markings on your L bracket.

When shooting panorama photographs the camera is rigged vertically using the L plate. The frame top left shows the camera rigged so that the axis of the lens is exactly on the centre line of the rotation. This is why it is good to have accurate markings on your L bracket.

How to shoot panoramas:

Set your tripod in the right place at the right height the first time. This is how I was taught to do it at the BBC: I determine the camera position of my shot hand held using the LCD of the camera to preview the picture. Once I have the correct camera position I make a 3D note of where it is. I always use myself as a guide to the height above the ground- shirt pocket height or knee height etc and then I place a leaf or similar object on the ground directly beneath the centre of the camera. I can then accurately rig the tripod in the right place at the correct height the first time.

Level the panoramic panning base using the ball and socket head and lock off the ball head completely. Insert the nodal slider and lock it off at the predetermined position required for the chosen lens. Set the camera upright and in the exact centre of the slider using the centre point marking on the L bracket. Shooting with the camera upright delivers the most pixels in the vertical plane. I can always add more pixels horizontally by shooting more frames over a bigger rotational angle.

Overlap 1/4 of each frame to give the software options at the stitching process. With a precision rotation device you can set the first frame at 0 degrees and then add the required number of degrees for each frame for the corresponding lens that’s being used. Or you can just use elements in the frame to guess. The number of degrees of rotation required for each lens can easily be predetermined and added to your notes.

Pan the camera precisely at the exposure stage, lock it off and let it completely settle before each exposure. I often use 1/4 second or longer to get the optimal detail in my image.

Use between f/4 and f/11 for panoramas and avoid f/16 and above. Some lenses deliver the best overall performance at f/8 or thereabouts. By f/16 iris diffraction is starting to reduce the overall resolution of the lens and no more depth of field advantage can be had.

If applicable switch off optical image stabilisation. You should hear a small clunk when the rotating lens element settles in it’s optimum place of rest.

Wait for gusts of wind to settle if there are grasses or leaves in the shot. Dont dilly dally between frames if there are clouds in shot moving across the sky.

Place people clearly in the central part of one or each of the frames to be stitched and avoid the overlap sections to create stunning figure in the landscape scenes. I start with the frame containing the person then shoot the frames either side once I have the perfect pose without blinks etc.

That’s the technical bit. Now I’m off to shoot some panoramas. Panorama prints look great on walls above sofas or beds. Have fun and stay inspired. Vertical panoramas look good too.

Please ask questions or make comments on the techniques discussed here in the Facebook or comments section below rather than on general Facebook or Twitter timelines. That way we can all benefit from the discussion and replies. Thank you :)

2.

The boats in woods project is called Withdrawn and is a creation by Luke Jerram. They are due to be on display until September.

 

42 Comments

  1. campypix

    Hi Damien:

    Great info. I have had some great success just stitching two large horizontal images together, cropped so it ends up with a 1×3 ratio, but I’ve also had some epic fails, especially with items in the foreground. I shoot with a Sony A7rii and A7riv, 42 and 61MP respectively, so doing two horizontal shots gives me more than enough megapixels to work with. Even with just two shots, however, I run into errors. Your method sounds like just what I need to up my game and shoot consistently You’ve helped me to understand, better than anything else I’ve read, how to adjust for these errors. Thanks!

    And the gear used seems like a simple solution. I’m happy with my 17-year old Manfrotto 190 series tripod, as well as my two Manfrotto heads, a trigger head that’s easy to swing in any direction, and a ballhead I purchased about 12 years ago because it was small and light for travel/hiking. I wasn’t doing much landscape photography then and unfortunately, neither head has a locking pan function. My head was spinning (no pun intended) looking at the high prices of even the Junior Manfrotto Geared head and wondering if I’d still need a leveling base and nodal plate too. Both cost and weight. were discouraging The gear you recommend sounds like a much better solution in terms of both weight and cost.

    Just a few quick questions:

    Does the base for the slider help to level the tripod more easily that using the level on the tripod legs or would you still add a leveling base below it?

    I’ve read that most panos are shot using an L bracket with vertical shots. Is this simply to increase image size or does it make for a better transition than shooting horizontally? Can the nodal shift method be used to simply shoot two or three overlapping horizontal shots instead?

    I often shoot with a 35mm or 20mm lens. The 20mm is a Nikon lens that gives perfectly straight verticals from end to end, provided it is perfectly straight when you shoot, so distortion is very low, but is it too wide and am I better off using a 50mm lens for panos? Is there a benefit to using a longer lens like a 90mm or even a short telephoto to focus on more distant objects and avoid the issues inherent in shooting too many foreground elements?

    Thanks for this informative article. I see you are still responding to comments, so I look forward to learning even more.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Campypix,

      I think you are overcomplicating things. You need a levelling plate just below the rotator and a nodal rail on the rotator. If your foreground is not perfectly aligned then your camera position on the rail is not perfectly set for your lens or there is wind affecting the foreground (if foliage). Go through the process described to get your nodal rail distance perfect for your lens. You can’t do the levelling using the tripod legs, it’s almost impossible. The level bubble has to be at the nodal plate level and you can check it by rotating the nodal plate 360°

      Damien.

      Reply
  2. swaagish

    Hello Damien,I really hope you will get to see this. I hope all is well with you. Thanks for this piece. I came across it after i had issues with this same kind of set-up. I use a Nikon D610. I noticed that my Tripod Head becomes so obviously large at the Nadir. Can you tell why this is so?

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Swaagish, I’ve no idea how your tripod head can change size or what Nadir stands for. So I’m sorry I can’t help you. Damien.

      Reply
  3. Jeffery Jay Lowder

    Hi Damien, thank you so much for writing and publishing this article. This was extremely helpful and exactly what I was looking for.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thank you Jeffery :)

      Reply
  4. Richard Craig

    Hi Damien, great article. I have been taking photographs since about 1976, but I am new to panoramic photography. My question is, if a person doesn’t have a printer big enough to do photos this large, where can they go to get them printed? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Richard,

      Any decent lab like Loxley Colour in the UK will make prints for you. Wallpaper printers can work from digital files too so any size is possible.

      Depending upon your printer it may take a roll of paper via an attachment. My previous Epson ink jet model was one of those. It could print fabulous panoramas.

      Damien.

      Kind regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  5. Charles

    Thanks for this great information. I’m guessing the distance from tripod mount center to flange face may be different for different bodies. Wondering if you happen to know what that distance is for the X-Pro1? I would like to build a database of no-parallax points for XF lenses measured to focal plane, with a table of offsets for different bodies. For example, my X-T3 has a tripod mount center to flange face of 19mm. The XF flange to focal plane distance is 17.7mm, making the offset 1.3mm.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Charles,

      Use this system to find out the settings for each combination. It’s actually quite straightforward and no rulers are necessary.

      Kind regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  6. Ryan

    Would the nodal point setting for fujifilm 16 1.4 on xt3 still be 49mm? Thanks

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Ryan,

      It’s actually very quick to check using this method. Each make of rail seems to have arbitrary markings so don’t rely on my values.

      Damien.

      Reply
  7. Phil Mc Gowan.

    Many thanks Damien. Have since used this method to calculate the Nodal Points on my Fuji Lenses and found it very useful. Rgds.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thanks for the feedback Phil :)

      Reply
  8. Phil MC Gowan

    Hi Damien. Fantastic article, very informative. May I ask what Sirui tripod and ball head you’re using. PS Ross McCelvey mentioned you during a recent visit to our camera club. Rgds.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Phil,

      Thank you. Back then I was using a compact Sirui. I’m not sure on the model number. It worked okay. I now use a Novo T20 with my Fujifilm GFX50s. I’ve got a Benro ball head with a RRS lever lock. It’s a bit mix and match. I prefer this set up to the Sirui. It’s not perfect but it will do for now for sure. I went to the photography show at the NEC two years ago and I bought the best tripod I could find. That was the Novo. I’d not heard of them before. The Rollei came a close second on my list but was twice the price and the Gitzo was way down the list. I was surprised because I love my Gitzo monopod. The centre column lock on the Gitzo tripod was not well engineered at all.

      Kindest regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
  9. havalynii

    Great post! Any thoughts on a nodal rail versus a shift lens like the Panasonic 35mm shift 2.8? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Havalynii,

      For panoramas I prefer nodal rail unless the image circle of the T/S lens is far bigger than the camera format. I can get away with a 6×7 format lens on a TS adapter on my GFX for panoramas… But for the price of a nodal rail (cheaper than a new lens) I can use my regular lens.

      The choice is yours,

      Damien

      Reply
      • Anthony

        The issue isn’t really about cost. There are some factors that you’re missing out (also in your article).

        Here are some problems with nodal panoramas that are solved by tilt-shift:

        – a nodal panorama has the inherent distortion of a fisheye lens, but how pronounced that is depends on how many frames are used. But it’s even observable in a two or three shot pano.

        – to get extremely deep depth of field with everything in focus will require focus stacking and that’s not always possible e.g. with waves or when plants blow in the wind.

        Shift photography using a medium format lens on e.g. full-frame, APS-C or MFT solves the fisheye distortion by moving the sensor left and right (for horizontal panos). Basically with the lens fixed on the tripod its the camera that shifts so that the perspective changes (removing fisheye).

        Tilt becomes useful when creating panos with huge DoF because by angling the plane of focus upwards (e.g. for mountains or downwards e.g. for valleys) increases the DoF dramatically.

        Given there are high quality medium format lenses that are available for very little money, I’d argue price isn’t the issue. It really comes down to three factors:

        – The weight and bulk you’re prepared to carry as MF lenses and the Tilt and Shift adapters are big and heavy.
        – They’re fiddly to use and it takes time to setup properly.
        – Steep learning curve.

        So you’re the kind of photographer with a fast flow technique (snap, snap, snap) then this isn’t for you. It’s more for the serious landscape photographer wanting ultimate image quality.

        Nodal is great but tilt-shift is better.

        Reply
        • Anthony

          Oops, it’s the sensor that needs to stay in a fixed position and it’s the lens shifts left and right of the central nodal point to remove the fisheye effect.

          Reply
          • Damien

            Hi Anthony,

            Thanks for this insight. Since I wrote the original post I’ve tried using a Pentax 67 40mm on a Kipon shift adapter to create panoramas on my GFX but the resolution of the original lens was not up to modern standards. It is still an interesting topic though.

            Kind regards,

            Damien

  10. Bendek Maartmann-Moe

    This is valuable information, saving many of us a lot of time – thank you for your effort and for sharing!

    Anyone have data for the 23/2 WR ?
    Are the listed mm (millimetres) from the sensor plane or from the flange?

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Bendek,

      You will have to do your own testing because each make of rail and quick release plate will be different. It takes a few minutes to measure your own lens offsets and there is a lot of learning to be done in the process.

      I’m glad this helps,

      Damien.

      Reply
  11. David

    Hi, just come across this article and have just started playing with panoramas with my XT-2. Really helpful advice and thanks for so much detail. One question though. Do any of the L brackets described allow the use of a 2.5mm cable release when mounted in portrait orientation? Guess I could use the threaded release if not.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi David.

      Thank you for your kind words. I’m not sure about 2.5mm remote leads. I use the self timer set to 2 seconds if I’m doing exposures longer than 1/15th.

      Kindest regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
      • David

        Thanks Damien,

        Yes, should have thought of that option too. Got a few bits arriving this week so hoping to have chance to play before the snow goes!

        Missed you at your GFX demo day in Sheffield recently. Need to keep an eye out for some more around the Yorkshire area. Currently trying to maximise my use of my XT-2 but love your work and hope to be able to make future events.

        Thanks,

        David

        Reply
        • Damien

          Hi David,

          Have fun. I hope to be in the North of England at some point in 2018. You can always join me on one of my adventures or workshops abroad. Details are here.

          Stay inspired,

          Damien.

          Reply
  12. Lars Moller

    Damien, first of all thanks for a very useful article. I just bought a Sunwayfoto DMP -140R nodal slider to be used with mu Fuji X-T1 and XF23mm lense. Based on inputs in the comments to this article, the nodal point for this camera and lens configuration would be 64 mm using your Neewer slider.

    However, on the Sunwayfoto slider, the scale starts at 45 mm (not 0) goes down to 0 mm and the continues to 35 mm closest to the camera. Does this mean that my nodal point setting on this slider should be at 19 mm behind the center (64 mm minus the 45 mm from the front to the zero line)?

    Best Regards
    Lars Moller, Dubai

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Lars,

      I’m sorry I dont know the Sunwayfoto slider very well. You will need to do your own tests. I’ve given you a method that works. Don’t forget to zoom into 100% using focus assist to see the detail of lateral movement.

      Cheers,

      Damien.

      Reply
  13. Joseph kushner

    Are the nodal point settings same for xt1 and xt2? Your nodal slider settings for xt1 was very helpful. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Joseph,

      I guess so as the camera depth is less than 1mm different between the X-T1 and X-T2.

      Kind regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  14. Rich Lewis

    Hi Damien,

    I just want to say a HUGE thank you for this post. I came across it a while ago but only just got around to buying the kit and doing the measurements for my lenses. My only issue with your instructions was that an 8m distance was far too long, especially for the widest lenses where I could barely make out the tape let alone the markings on it! I ended up working at about 4m, with a cane placed halfway between tripod and wall. My measurements with the same Neewer nodal plate but on an X-T1 are below, in case anyone finds them of use, including suitable rotations to overlap the frames.

    Cheers, Rich

    LENS — NODAL DISTANCE — ROTATION

    Samyang 12mm f/2 — 45mm — 45deg (n=8)
    Fujinon 16mmF1.4 — 49mm — 36deg (n=10)
    Fujinon 23mmF1.4 — 64mm — 24deg (n=15)
    Fujinon 35mmF1.4 — 85mm — 15deg (n=24)
    Fujinon 56mmF1.2 — 89mm — 10deg (n=36)
    Fujinon 90mmF2 — 40mm — 5deg (n=72)

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thanks Rich,

      Maybe I forgot to mention using the focus magnification x10 function in camera for greater accuracy.

      Cheers,

      Damien.

      Reply
  15. Khürt Williams

    You article was informative and detailed. It looks like you got good results.

    However, your method for determining the nodal points of each of your lenses seems too involved (time) and too complicated. My head started spinning half-way through reading this. Then I started to think about how many lenses you did this for and … I lost interest.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Kurt,

      Thanks for you kind comments. For your info it took 4 days for Amazon to deliver the nodal shift rail and just 45 minutes to do all the measuring. Now I have all the settings on my phone. Measure once and use forever ;) Learning photography has taken me 39 years and I’m happy to say I’m still motivated to pursue excellence. It’s how I roll.

      Find the motivation, the inspiration and the magic of photography will reward you.

      Cheers, Damien.

      Reply
  16. Paul Richardson

    Don’t know if you got my previous question… I’m looking at the Sunway panning clamps, and there are several. It’s hard to know which would be the proper one for mirrorless (Fuji). Any advice?

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Paul,

      I’d go for the 140mm nodal shift plate and choose whatever panning clamp that fits your tripod head. If in doubt give the UK importer a ring. I’m sure they can advise you. I don’t own a Sunway panning clamp so I’ve no idea what model to advise you to get.

      I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.

      Kind regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
  17. Storm Halvorsen

    I actually prefer using a pan and tilt head with a nodal rail over a ball head with a panning device and nodal rail. Especially for multi row panoramas. Nothing pans smoother than a pan and tilt head, without small accidental movements to the tripod. And you can tilt up or down to a new row of shots without disturbing the levelling. If you use the same tripod for everything however, the ball head setup is probably a good idea. I stitch everything nowadays so I have a tripod with center column levelling and the pan and tilt head with the rail straight onto it.

    In any case you see a lot of people with these incredibly elaborate rigs with gears in all directions when the important part is the nodal rail, as you point out.

    I may try your method for calibrating the rail positions more accurately. Thanks! Myself I just panned the head back and forth sideways while in live view, zoomed in and pointed at a some foreground object with out of focus light blobs behind it. When they stopped moving I locked in. It has worked pretty good but I do get some occational stitching errors on objects really close and to the side.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Storm,

      Thanks for your contribution and comments.The centre column leveling device is a must when using pan and tilt heads but I agree that the system you decide is ideal if not just a bit heavier.

      Best regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
  18. Rich hart

    You can tell the entry point into the lens as it is usually indicated by a colored ring. There are special tripod heads that turn the camera around this point. Take a look at nodal ninja that are cost effective and offer full sphericals. Some actually hold onto the lens. Lightroom claims to stitch perfectly, however it fails at spherical images. There are fun things in the new version of Lightroom, unfortunately they are not set-up for batch production as its original purpose.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Rich,

      The Fuji optics don’t have a coloured ring hence me writing this piece. Plus the nodal point shifts with zoom lenses so that method is not ideal. My complete kit cost less than £50 to add nodal panning to my repertoire and the plate plus the super smooth panning device lives in the front pocket of my camera bag. I’ll take a look at the newest Lightroom soon but I don’t expect to be batching panoramas. I like to take time with each one to process the tones etc before moving onto the next.

      Good fun :) Damien.

      Reply

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