Using a Panorama Head
to Create Seamless Panoramic Images

With a panorama head, you can position your camera so that when you turn it around you avoid the problem of parallax. Parallax makes it difficult or impossible for your software to position the pictures in a way that makes it feasible to stitch the pictures together.

To experience parallax simply hold your finger and up and move your head from side to side while maintaining your gaze on the finger and the objects just beyond it. It will look as though your finger is moving as you turn your head. This effect is called parallax. It is minimized with objects a long way away such as you see in panoramics of mountain ranges. But with objects closer to the camera, it becomes more pronounced.

A wide-angle lens can help to minimize parallax since everything will look further away but foreground objects often intrude even if it's just the actual ground you are standing on. Long focal length lenses also exaggerate parallax. Your images will show this parallax effect unless the camera turns about a central point (known as the the no-parallax-point or nodal point) where there is no parallax.

The only certain way around this problem is to use a panorama head to get the positioning correct and also to make shooting the scene systematic. It will eliminate parallax entirely and makes stitching together of images a simple task.

The position of no-parallax changes depending on the focal length irrespective of which camera you are using. When you first get your panorama head you need to set the nodal point. This needs to be done along two axes in order to determine the centre of rotation. It is not difficult to do, however, for many people, including me, seeing something done is easier than reading instructions so I've included this excellent video which demonstrates clearly how simple it is.

If you are going to buy a panorama head, the main concern is the weight of your camera. The lower priced ones are only suitable for point-and-shoot cameras whereas if you have an SLR or a heavy, medium format camera you will need to invest more money in a head that can support the extra weight.

There is a wide range of heads available depending on your camera and budget. Below you'll find my recommended top three panorama heads currently available within the light-weight, medium- and heavy-weight ranges (mouse-over the links to see the prices) but for a fuller selection of panorama heads click here.

Light-Weight

The Panamatic PMTC-1 by LensPen is an inexpensive, light-weight gadget which can be screwed into a ball-head tripod and with a camera attached will allow you to take a shot every 30 degrees, considered the optimal setting for panorama photography. It is only suitable for compact cameras. If you have a DSLR you need something more robust.

Medium-Weight

The Manfrotto 3025 3D Junior supports up to 6.7 lbs and is more robust than the Panamatic PMTC-1 Head and suitable for supporting a DSLR. Although inexpensive, it is nonetheless very sturdy and built to last. This head has been on the market for a long time as it is so dependable but it is still quite basic and there are no levelling bubbles. However, at the price it is a very good buy.

Heavy-Weight

The Manfrotto 300N QTVR allows you to take sequential constant-angle shots around a single axis, for accurate and easy-to-stitch panoramic compositions. It has a safety cable to prevent it from being separated from the head and getting lost; a secondary locking screw which stops unwanted or accidental rotation of the head when heavy or off-center equipment makes it less balanced or when the head is used for non-horizontal rotation; and can utilise small incrememts of 5 degree angle positions ( 72 pictures). Maximum load capacity is up to 31 lbs.

Click here to visit the panoramic pics gallery and get inspired!