The next step is to find the Nodal point of
the lens. I will try to make this explanation as simply as I can so here
goes. As light passes through the lens of your camera the image is reversed
so that by the time the image reaches the CCD sensor the image is up side
down. This is because light only travels in straight lines, The point at
which the light crosses over within the lens is the nodal point. We need to
position the camera along the top rail of the bracket so that it rotates
about this point.
If we don’t do this we get what is called parallax error. This is the error
that gives us that big curve in our panoramas and after cropping makes the
end result so thin. So by rotating the camera about the nodal point and on
the centre plain of the lens and using the camera in portrait mode we will
get the tallest image possible.
Parallax error.
Now for a brief explanation of parallax error. Hold your left hand out in
front of you with only your index finger pointing up, now hold your right
hand out in front of you about mid way between your face and your left index
finger, with your right eye closed move your right index finger up so it is
slightly to the right of you left index finger, Now if you alternatively
close your right and left eye your right finger will appear to jump left and
right of your left index finger. That is parallax error.
Right eye closed
Left eye closed
