Medium Format Pano's

[PeterA]

True - so very true!

 

[Bob]

Sheeesh - thanks for teh tip Bob. Someone shoudl volunteer some help to Arca re writing a user leaflet in English that works! LOL

I just read the German one.
-bob

 

[mwalker]

Guys you have inspired me to try this.. I have a heavy duty CF Gitzo tripod, I can't afford a cube now what would you recommend as a kit? I have a Sony a900 with a CZ 24 -70 or G 70-300. I will purchase APP.

 

[jlm]

mike I have nice acratech ball head i could sell you for $200
http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=7&cat=1&page=1

 

[Dale Allyn]

Guys you have inspired me to try this.. I have a heavy duty CF Gitzo tripod, I can't afford a cube now what would you recommend as a kit? I have a Sony a900 with a CZ 24 -70 or G 70-300. I will purchase APP.

I like the RRS BH-55. The pan base locks very solidly (good for using off-axis or horizontally) because they employ a tension strap design, instead of the common set-screw type of design.

You could get by with a lighter head than the BH-55 also, such as the BH-40 or Arca-Swiss ball head, or Acratech as offered above. I prefer the pan base on the RRS (BH-55 head, but these others are strong enough for you kit in terms of weight.

 

[Bob]

Mike,
If you want to do panos with a BH-55, I would recommend topping it with an RRS PCL-1 pano clamp. I use it on top of my gitzo head in my light-weight setup. If course, it is not as easy to level as the cube, but it is usable. It is important to level the panning element most of all, and a ball head helps with that.
-bob

 

[jlm]

Mike I also have a RRS PCL-1 pano head that I used on the acratech: $175

both are pristine

http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/ite...Cc=PanoComponents&CatName=Panorama Components

 

[Dale Allyn]

I thought about mentioning the PCL-1 also, but not knowing the budget thought I let it trickle into the conversation. I get by without the PCL-1 by taking extra time at setup, but after trying one have planned to add it also. I just tend to take some long hikes at times and my kit is already rather heavy.

The PCL-1 plus an additional dovetail mount allows for a quick setup. Or one can forgo the "normal" RRS clamp and use the PCL-1 as the clamp (rather than the lever clamp or screw-type clamp).

Good call, Bob.

 

[mwalker]

I seems I need a ballhead because the one I have now is the RRS 25 for the M8, and a L- bracket for the camera, ball-head, PCL-1 with dovetail, and a RRS rail to set the nodal point...correct?

 

[carstenw]

For single-row panos, yes. Btw, you only need the rail if you will work with things close up. For landscapes it might not be necessary. For multi-row panos with things close up, you will need the full pano kit, not just a rail.

 

[Bob]

Mike,
You can order the BH-40 or BH-55 with the PCL-1 pre-installed as the top clamp.
I would use a rail usually, since the nodal slide is more an issue in a three dimensional scene. The dovetail piece is needed only if you want to use a regular clamp as well as the pano clamp. I keep my pano clamp mounted all the time.
I don't have a full pano kit, since I don't do VR and prefer to use a wide-ish lens and a portrait orientation to the camera to avoid as much geometric distortion as possible.
-bob

 

[jlm]

mike:

the acractech clamp is completely functional with any of the RRS dovetails. I used it with right angle brackets, camera plates, pano rails and the pan head.

 

[mwalker]

Nodal point RRS rail a necessity or not? CS3 or Auto Pano Pro?

 

[Bob]

You can do without it if your subject is pretty much in one plane and relatively far away.
If your subject contains tree trunks in the mid or fore-ground, for example, then you will find the nodal slide to be beneficial.
-bob

 

[mwalker]

Thanks Bob,
I will be in the forest a lot so done, purchased...slap em down $100...$200

Is there new stitching software in CS4?

 

[Bob]

CS4 can stitch for several cases, but autopano is better IMO.
-bob

 

[woodyspedden]

+1 :thumbup:

Woody

 

[DougDolde]

One of Uptown Sedona. This is an old shot with Contax 645, 140mm and Kodak DCS back. I was never satisfied with the processing until now. About 4 frames stitched in PS CS4 and processed in Nik Silver Efex.

Real big version here: http://www.arizonaconnect.net/big.jpg

 

[JimCollum]

a couple more from the SWD and Aptus75s

both taken with the 135mm lens

3 image horizontal stitch

9 image (full shift in all directions)

 

[Jack]

Jim, I really like the first one, especially due to the subtle pastel sky color --- :thumbs: