wwp@yahoogroups.com:
Re: Lenses, MultiRow, PTGui
Marc Buchalter 2008-May-13 16:13:00
Thanks Rick:
As a newbie I appreciate the extensive answer. I would much rather have a rich I quality detailed photo than an easy one. I also enjoy the time I spend getting to a high quality product.
I am going to take the rest of my questions to the PanotoolsNG. The moderators have very graciously directed me to that NG for technical discussions. I have some questions about PtGui and I will post them there.
--- On Mon, 5/12/08, Rick Drew <#removed#> wrote:
From: Rick Drew <#removed#>
Subject: Lenses, MultiRow, PTGui
To: #removed#
Date: Monday, May 12, 2008, 1:34 PM
Well, I did a multi-row with a 18mm lens, took a ton photos, and ran it
through PTgui on my old PC.
http://geoimages. berkeley. edu/worldwidepan orama/wwp1205/ html/RichardCDre w.ht
ml
Stitched flawlessly on the first attempt - and that was with a lot of
overlap. I could have shot about 40% fewer images. Take a look at the image
complexity - winter trees with overlapping branches.
I shoot a lot of multi-rows - the key was getting the tripod head and camera
set up correctly (and now I have to do it again with my new 40D.)
I use the 303SPH for multi-rows and have never had a bad stitch. If the
camera is not in the correct position (Nodal Point - or whatever you want to
call it :) )you WILL have a lot of manual work. But you can avoid all of
that by spending some extra time locking in that nodal point.
For most web work, the fisheye is fine. But if you want a lot of detail,
great print quality, etc., then a six shot fisheye pano is marginal at best
(unless you pop for a $6,000 fisheye.) Fr example, I have a bunch of images
on some stock photography sites. Out of 12 wide angle / panos shot with my
fisheye, only one was accepted - and that was because it was an unusual
subject. The rest were rejected because the focus was too soft and there
was too much CA. Out of the 5 wide-angle / panos shot with my 18mm Canon
lens, all were accepted.
CS3 is ok for simple stitching, but you really, really need PTGui. It
stitches flawless panos almost every time - again, with the correctly setup
tripod head / camera.
I use CS3 for simple panos, never multi-row. It does an incredible job with
blending and hand-held panos. I sometimes shoot on the fly with my little
pocket camera (If I'm on Moguls or a DD ski run, the DSLR stays at the
bottom of the hill!)
As long as your pano head has stops for the number of shots needs, I'd try
the lens you already have. Download the demo version of PTGui and see how it
does. All you'll do is spend a little time - not money!
Rick Drew