Panoramic Heads

No matter how good the merge software, you will be better off using a head which allows you to pivot the lens+camera about the nodal point of the lens, to reduce the amount of 'distortion' caused in the taking of the images when simply pivoted about the focal plane, for example

Wilt wrote in post #5962719
No, in the past, panoramic heads were used for FILM images which where then added together as composite frames that held multiple images

OK, new things to learn, thank you very much

mattograph wrote in post #5962729
I am not an expert, but the new photomerge in elements 6 is fantastic. I have only played with the tutorials, but it seemed so much easier than before.

I can't say that the pan head isn't worth it, though -- not my area of expertise.

In fact i keep myself with Photoshop CS2/CS3, i can use PSE 5 or 6 but i don't like to get confused using many editing photos softwares, and photoshop is the most powerful anyway.

Wilt wrote in post #5962781
No matter how good the merge software, you will be better off using a head which allows you to pivot the lens+camera about the nodal point of the lens, to reduce the amount of 'distortion' caused in the taking of the images when simply pivoted about the focal plane, for example

In fact thats what i was thinking about, i don't have many opportunity to go back to shoot some shots to get them right if i can't produce good enough panos from softwares, so that i am looking to do it right in fields before i try using any software, sorry for those many questions but i will travel later this year so i want to be full ready and i don't want to miss any chance or do mistakes because i don't have all right enough tools to use so then no way to go back travel for another trials.

Wilt wrote in post #5962781
No matter how good the merge software, you will be better off using a head which allows you to pivot the lens+camera about the nodal point of the lens, to reduce the amount of 'distortion' caused in the taking of the images when simply pivoted about the focal plane, for example

Oh great. Something else to buy!

A friend of mine swears by Panorama Factory

http://www.panoramafac​tory.com/

I did a trial test on two hand held shots taken with a digital P&S where I was not even intending on a panorama shot, and it stitched them together quite impressively!

mattograph wrote in post #5962866
Oh great. Something else to buy!

I don't like our fearless leader and the job he is doing, but I am helping to stimulate the economy by getting others to spend their tax rebates!

Wilt wrote in post #5962904
I don't like our fearless leader and the job he is doing, but I am helping to stimulate the economy by getting others to spend their tax rebates!

Unfortunately for me, I spent my tax rebate last october!

mattograph wrote in post #5962946
Unfortunately for me, I spent my tax rebate last october!

A good photographic product should be able to convince you to spend your tax rebate more than once!

Wilt wrote in post #5962962
A good photographic product should be able to convince you to spend your tax rebate more than once!

Please check my new sig!!!

mattograph wrote in post #5962980
Please check my new sig!!!

Members here should do the same in their sigs

mattograph wrote in post #5962980
Please check my new sig!!!

You honor me, sir!

I'm using Nodal Ninja with PTGui to stitch 360x180 panos. The NN3 is small and is good for a 5d w/ 15mm fisheye. I can use the 17-40 on it too, but I don't get the ability to tilt camera up 90 degrees to shoot the zenith (or sky shot).

The NN5 can handle bodies up to the 1D size, and even 70-200s (& large format cameras for that matter).

NN3 runs about 200, NN5 is around 400 i think.

JakPot wrote in post #5963189
I'm using Nodal Ninja with PTGui to stitch 360x180 panos. The NN3 is small and is good for a 5d w/ 15mm fisheye. I can use the 17-40 on it too, but I don't get the ability to tilt camera up 90 degrees to shoot the zenith (or sky shot).

The NN5 can handle bodies up to the 1D size, and even 70-200s (& large format cameras for that matter).

NN3 runs about 200, NN5 is around 400 i think.

I saw that product from NN, looks interesting but i cant decide yet.

For software: You might want to check this out as well: Click.

RRS makes a real nice pano setup.