Wayne,
The problem with your panorama is that the camera wasn't exactly level and
PhotoVista isn't good enough to remove all the yaw, pitch, and roll
deviations you introduced.
I've straightened the image with PTGUI and Panorama Tools.
Look here for:
1. Warped version:
http://www.skipwilliams.adahost.com/images/Stitched_80mm_r4.jpg
2. Cropped version:
http://www.skipwilliams.adahost.com/images/Stitched_80mm_r4-cropped.jpg
It would be better if the original multiple images were fixed, but I only
had the final output to work with.
BTW, If you can't tell, I REALLY like this tool. If you used it on the
original shots, it would also remove all the barrel distortion too.
The end result is that you can almost duplicate the results of an Xpan with
a 35mm camera with a bit of care and the right tools. It's certainly not as
quick to take or as quick to print though.
Skip
From: w shumaker <rlist@xxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [OM] Rangefinders vs. SLR's
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 11:24:45 -0400
I just purchased an Xpan myself (excellent condition xpan + 45mm can be
had for <$1500). It has a focal plane shutter and feels like a larger
manual focus G2. I got rid of the G2 I had because of the constant
in-out motion of the lens when you depress the shutter and the center
only focus point. I found I would grab the OM-4t over the G2 nearly
every time.
One user report said the Mamiya 7 needs frequent focus calibration??
Remember also that medium format needs to be stopped down more to get
equivalent depth of field. The Xpan view finder is quite bright, but I
would have preferred a bigger focus region. So far (1 roll of film) I
like it. It's interesting switching back to the OM - I noticed how much
I use the whole screen for focus adjust. Seamlessly switching between
24x65mm and 24x36mm is a nice feature. The Mamiya can also do 24x65mm
with film insert.
I got the Xpan because I do a lot of panoramic shots and I have not
been satisfied with the process of stitching. See for example:
http://www.zuik.net/Stitched_80mm_r.jpg Notice how the horizon bows.
Perhaps better software would help. This came from a hand held shots
taken with the 35-80/2.8 lens and stitched with a version of photovista
that comes on a Sony Vaio. See also www.panoguide.com for some of the
issues involved with stitching shots from a rectilinear lens. I will be
headed to St John next week and the thought of stitching panoramas of
waves on beaches did not appeal to me.
The Xpan is a bit hefty and the shutter is smooth, allowing for
hand-holding to lower speeds, but I would not get an Xpan for that
reason. I plan on using the tripod most of the time in order to get the
maximum resolution. My local lab now has a 8000ppi scanner (Topaz ii)
and a 44" wide epson printer. I like big prints. However, I chose the
xpan because I can still scan with my 35mm film scanner and stitch the
two halves together (since no lens correction, etc. is needed). I guess
the next step is a 6x17 plus medium format scanner. (Any body know how
the focus works on a Technorama 617?)
Hand holding rules depend on the resolution one is trying to achieve. A
hand held shot maybe be fine for 4x6 prints, but not a crisp 13x19. I
have also found that physical exertion, such as strenuous hiking,
increases the shakes. So I know my hand holding ability varies all over
the map. I have too many great shots that I cannot blow up because I
was too lazy or time limited to set up the tripod. Luck vs. consistency.
Wayne
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