How Do I get the Nodal point over the center of my pod?

[unclokie]

I am trying to learn how to take good panos and I have had some trouble lining up photos after taking them. I think the problem is in my not setting the lens (nodal point) over the pod correctly. There seems to be different ammounts of magnification at the seams when I go to stitch them. How should I be setting up my camera, lens, focusing rail to get this right?
Thanks,
Otis

[jdkeck]

Here is something to read, http://195.103.97.176/303SPH/ . I have some other references that I can send tomorrow.

You may want to get this moved to the "talk about photography" forum.

Jeff

[Beeclose]

This is what You need. EW.http://gregwired.com/pano/Pano.htm

[Scottes]

Finding the Nodal Point (from Really Right Stuff - http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/pano/) The "MPR-CL" is their pano head.
# Find two vertical objects; one near, one far. Position your equipment so that these two objects are lined up in the viewfinder.
# Level your equipment.
# Mount and center your camera on the MPR-CL.
# Start out by positioning the approximate center of your lens over the axis of rotation.
# Now pan left.
# If the rear object appears to shift to the left, then you are ahead of the nodal point. Slide the MPR-CL forward and try again.
# If the rear object appears to shift to the right, you are behind the nodal point. Slide the MPR-CL back and try again.
# When the optical center of the lens is directly over the axis of rotation, the rear object will not appear to move relative to the front object.
# Record your results so that your setup can be re-created.

The pictures in this link may help, too. http://www.edb.utexas.edu/teachnet/QTVR/NodalPoint.htm

[PhotosGuy]

Just in case you missed it, be sure to set the exposure & focus on "M", too.

[ScottE]

I believe some people just use a long release plate designed for telephoto lenses. This is mounted on the camera at right angle so that it projects out under the front of the camera. The long release plate can be slid through the release clamp until the nodal point of the lens is over the centre of the tripod head and then the release clamp is tightened.

I haven't tried it myself, but a friend told me he used this method.