Build a panoramic tripod head

There’s some amazing software out there for panoramic photography: They warp, stitch and blend sequences of photos so that they look like one big, seamless panoramic photo.

To get the full benefit out of this software, however, you need a good tripod - and panoramic tripod heads are ridiculously expensive. Unless, of course, you build one yourself…

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The problem with panoramic photography is the parallax, or, the apparent change in the direction of an object, caused by a change in observational position that provides a new line of sight.

To fix this, you need to get the camera to rotate about a specific point that is forward of the screw socket in your camera.

A fellow photographer who goes by the name of Arodrix has created a tutorial, explaining how you can build a panoramic tripod head for next to no money - even if you have no plans of doing any panoramic photography, it’s worth having a read of the article, as the sheer simplicity and simple inginuity is inspiring to DIY photographers everywhere.



5 Responses to “Build a panoramic tripod head”

  1. John Barnier Says:

    Hi,

    I just looked over your great explanation on building a panoramic tripod head. Very informative and the photos were extremely well done. I’m a professional photographer and I really appreciate seeing such good image samples!

    Thanks again,
    John Barnier

  2. Stefan Says:

    Inspired by your pano head I came up with this slightly improved version (Not much more expensive)
    http://www.stockholmviews.com/diyphotogear/pano_head.html

    You can also find a diy 6×17 project at my site + a diy GPS hack for the nikon GPS enabled DSLR cameras like the D200.

    regards/Stefan

  3. Disposable Wedding Cameras | Disposable Cameras Says:

    I am slightly concerned about making my own. It looks like it shouldn’t be too hard, but that is not the first time I have started a project saying that….. Well, the projects are still not done….. I am going to give it a shot, because I know I can’t afford to buy one.

  4. Venkat Says:

    Would this work for compact cameras too? The Sony H series?
    Just wondering. This looks like a nice weekend project.

    Cheers

  5. Tampa Wedding Says:

    “To fix this, you need to get the camera to rotate about a specific point that is forward of the screw socket in your camera.”
    This was the point I was missing when I tried to build one. I would get a different perspective. Thanks for the advice, I wish I would have found this article a little earlier and it would have saved me a lot of headaches.

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