360x180° Panorama Tutorial - Pt.6: Finding the no-parallax point (aka nodal point)

Part 6.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to adjust / calibrate your panoramic tripod head to find the no-parallax point (also incorrectly referred to as "nodal point") for your lens. This is very important to minimise the stitching errors in your panoramas.

The process can take a little while, but you'll hopefully take away some tips on how to speed it up and reduce the amount of "trial and error" involved.

Don't forget to check out my other panoramic photography related tutorials:

Thanks for your interest and stay tuned!

Florian

PS: For those who need it, I also went through the trouble of adding subtitles to the videos... Click on the [CC] icon to enable them.

[wisep]

Thank you. There are quite a few demonstrations on how to find the nodal point, but yours stands out because of its detailed, yet lucid presentation.

[SimonNewbound]

Simply the best video on the net explaining the parallax point by an exceptional communicator. Bravo, well done and thank you.

[PsytastikTunes]

It took me a long time to finally figure out how to use and create these 360 panos, but upon finding this video it was clear as day! Best tutorial for sure. Take your time and get it right is my best advice. Cheers.

[joseparedes]

Of course, this is the best video available on the web about how to found the focal point .

[AddictedtoProjects]

Thank you so much Florian. Even though this is an older video, it as been incredibly helpful to learn these basic principles that I had been COMPLETELY unaware of! Well done! :)

[zynthypops]

BEST VIDEO IN THE YOUTUBE Explaining no-parallax point

[belowhz]

3:54 is where the important stuff starts on how to align near and far objects to find the nodal point. Thank you for this awesome and clearly explained tutorial!

[BOLL]

I had not heard about the no-parallax point being different for different parts of the lens, this was very good information :D I'm looking to get my panorama head in the next few weeks, exciting times :3

[geoffpedder]

I just got my nodal ninja out after 6 years and i forgot how to set it up. This method is excellent, thanks

[LeeHawkinsPhoto]

Awesome, Florian! I'm going to go use this right now :-) You've made this extremely simple with your explanation and demonstration here.

[RC-Heli]

Great video! I hope you show the stitching process as well!

[johnlaurencepoole]

January 21, 2021 -- This was great. I did not know about the 45 degrees from the center calculations, though I recall a diagram on a web site, it did not sink in. Watching this video filled in the gaps of what I need to know to get my Nikon 8-15 fisheye working on a Ninja3. Thank you very much; I'm now going to see what else you have published regarding panorama photography. I really liked the skewer aligning to a thin line object in the horizon to emphasize the line-up experience.

[ozwoz]

Hi Florian... I know this is a very old post.(both this and your other PTGUI tutorials).. but they saved my bacon setting up for a one-off job I have to do shortly.... I haven't used my ninja and ptgui in about 5 years. ... a BIG thank you... I must have a look at what you are up to now. Cheers :)

[ZackAriasATL]

Thank you so much for making this video! I'm just getting into stitching and finding the nodal point was confusing me. The skewer method is awesome! Thanks!

[PROC]

Thank you so much!! It's clear to understand the nodal point!!!

[saurabhranjan]

Thank you Florian, I have been shooting 360 videos with a similar rig and your video gave a lot of clarity on setting up the nodal point. Thanks again:)

[lukebanfield]

Thanks Florian, great explanation and tutorial!!

[monkeymethods]

Dude! Great video and I admire your dedication and attention to detail!! keep up the good work!!

[pvrjfzz]

the best explanation of the NPP ever!! thank you!!

[SebastianGabarronOrtega]

Fantástico! Estoy aprendiendo mucho con tus vídeos. Gracias por dedicarnos tu tiempo y conocimientos.