Build a panoramic tripod head

December 17, 2005 @ 2:01AM

Build a panoramic tripod head

By Haje Jan Kamps

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…

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.

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Comments

Anonymous

5 years ago

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

Anonymous

5 years ago

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

Anonymous

4 years ago

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.

Anonymous

3 years ago

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

Cheers

Anonymous

3 years ago

“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.

Anonymous

2 years ago

I made one on the cheap from alumium struts. strong, easy to make and fit for purpose. Under the image there is a link to a discussion on Flickr about pano heads, it got lots of examples and ideas.

Anonymous

2 years ago

I made one on the cheap from alumium struts. strong, easy to make and fit for purpose.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tim_bo/4274521354/

Fred Flinstonne

1 year ago

Would this work with a fish-eye lens which has >180 degree viewing angles. It seems you'd have a view of wood on the right of every shot?

Fred Flinstonne

1 year ago

Oh wait...I get it (I think)...

Is the fisheye lens only 180 in the horizontal view and maybe 120?? in portrait??? So that would mean only the table on the tripod is shown?

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7 months ago

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