Nick
Posts: 9
Location: United States
Registered: 7 Jan 2007
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New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 7 Jan 2007 at 21:59 GMT
updated: 7 Jan 2007 at 22:00 GMT
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Hey all,
So I'm a 3d artist, new to panoramic photography (though not new to photography in any way.)
I just got a Nodal Ninja for Christmas and have begun using it (with quite nice results I might add)
My intent is to eventually graduate to making full spherical High Dynamic Range panoramas for both use in lighting my 3d work using image based modeling techniques.
At the moment, my problem isn't so much an issue with quality panoramas, but really, that it takes far too much time to shoot these HDR panoramas, and in that time, the lighting changes significantly.
I do know that HDR panoramas take a significantly larger amount of time than regular panoramas, however, I do believe my the time, and amount of photos shot could be diminished.
Heres what I'm using at the moment:
Nikon D70
Tokina AF 19-35mm lens (I've been shooting at 19mm)
Nodal Ninja
Tiltall Tripod (I believe thats what it is called, its difficult to read the cursive logo  )
Im shooting:
In the raw format
in portrait mode
using the default number of click stops that came with the nodal ninja (i believe it's every 15 degrees, making for about 24 shots per full row revolution horizontally)
Rotating vertically rows of 30degrees (so Im shooting the middle row, then tilting down -30, then down to -60, then shooting 2 -90 shots, then shooting a row at +30, +60, and one +90 Shot
Obviously this makes for A LOT of photographs! Is there any way I can diminish the number of photographs without using a different lens? As in, what is the optimal amount of photos I should be shooting per row, and how many rows to get the results Im trying to achieve?
Also, if you guys have any critiques on my workflow, then please help me out.
Thank you so much in advance!
Regards,
-Nick
PS: I believe the Nikon D70 has a 1.5 multiplier on it, is this correct?
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 866
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Re: New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 7 Jan 2007 at 23:16 GMT
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With a 19mm you need 3 rows + 1 for zenith and 1 for nadir (handheld) if you want to cover it all.
The rows should be 12 at zero 12 at +45 12 at -45 and 1 at 90 degrees for the zenith.
You may be able to do it with 10 images per row.
Much easier is to get yourself a 10,5mm fisheye and shoot 6 around + 1 for zenith.
Hans
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Nick
Posts: 9
Location: United States
Registered: 7 Jan 2007
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Re: New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 7 Jan 2007 at 23:30 GMT
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Wow thanks so much! How did you figure out those numbers? is there some type of formula or list of numbers for different focal lengths?
My only other follow up question would be that doesn't the multiplier on the D70 (which I believe is 1.5) turn a 19 mm lens into a 28.5 mm lens, and thus there would be different numbers? or is this something different?
Thanks again for your help, this should really speed things up 
Regards,
Nick
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bucko
Posts: 20
Location: United States
Registered: 24 Oct 2005
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Re: New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 8 Jan 2007 at 1:57 GMT
updated: 8 Jan 2007 at 1:59 GMT
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Nick,
See the Lens_Database link below for insights re how many images/rows are required for various focal lengths... Looks like 3 rows of 10 each, shot at 36 degree intervals, plus nadir and zenith
www.vrwave.com/panoramic/photography/lens_databas...
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Nick
Posts: 9
Location: United States
Registered: 7 Jan 2007
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Re: New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 8 Jan 2007 at 3:15 GMT
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Hey thanks so much! Nice site you sent me to, thanks for that as well
Btw, just as an update to everyone:
I realized my analog 17-28mm wide angle lens fits and works with my D70 nikon. Which, when given the multiplier value, acts as a 25.5-42mm lens, giving me a slightly wider view, which is always nice. I just shot a test spherical panorama of my living room with a total of 40 pics, and it seems to have worked out perfectly. I've finished stitching it and am about to render it out now.
Those 40 shots comprised of:
12 shots at 0, 12 shots at -45, 12 shots at +45, 3 nadir shots and one zenith shot.
Do you guys think I could make with even fewer shots and the same lens?
ps: as another question:
Where can I buy different dent plates for my Nodal Ninja?
Thanks,
-Nick
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 866
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Re: New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 8 Jan 2007 at 21:24 GMT
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The easiest way to calculate this is to use a set of dummy images.
Just some small grey jpg.
Load them in PTGui and set the yaw and pitch and the lens data, focal length/multiplier. Open the editor and look at it.
You can now easy see how much overlap you have an how much it covers.
Here is 17mm on a 1.5 sensor at zero +50 -50.
As you can see you have enough with 10 in each row (yaw 36) and actually also at 45 degree you will cover everything down to the rotator.
You only need a zenith shot.
Hans
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Nick
Posts: 9
Location: United States
Registered: 7 Jan 2007
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Re: New to this: How to decrease the number of photos
Posted: 12 Jan 2007 at 4:34 GMT
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Oh man, thankyou so very much for your very specific answer! This is great, because I can narrow it down to only 31 shots now (Which means 93 shots for your run-of-the-mill HDR panorama)
Thanks again,
-nick
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