Nodal point on DA* Lenses.

noahpurdy · 04-12-2010, 01:09 PM

Does the green stripe closes to the mount on the DA* lenses signify the nodal point? Or would the nodal point be different on each lens?

SOldBear · 04-12-2010, 01:10 PM

I don't know the answer, but am curious: does it matter? why?

Thanks.

noahpurdy · 04-12-2010, 01:29 PM

When shooting panoramas to eliminate parallax problems you need to rotate the camera on it's nodal point.

amoringello · 04-12-2010, 01:42 PM

The nodal point generally changes with the focal length on zoom lenses, so the green line likely means nothing. Just from a *VERY* rough non-scientific test/guess by placing the lens on a stationary pivot of some sort, the nodal point appears to be a bit in front of the green line (for the 16-50 at 16mm).

SOldBear · 04-12-2010, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by noahpurdy

When shooting panoramas to eliminate parallax problems you need to rotate the camera on it's nodal point.

Yup. Makes perfect sense. Thanks.

Now you know how much I shoot panoramas.

RioRico · 04-12-2010, 02:25 PM

From Wikipedia:

The nodal points are widely misunderstood in photography, where it is commonly asserted that the light rays "intersect" at "the nodal point", that the iris diaphragm of the lens is located there, and that this is the correct pivot point for panoramic photography, so as to avoid parallax error. These claims are all false, and generally arise from confusion about the optics of camera lenses, as well as confusion between the nodal points and the other cardinal points of the system. The correct pivot point for panoramic photography can be shown to be the centre of the system's entrance pupil.

And see the citations.

Ari · 04-12-2010, 02:30 PM

Whatever you want to call it, it's the point where you will least likely have problems with stitching vertical panoramas (horizontal ones, and landscape panoramas are not necessarily so fussy). And you need to find the nodal point (or focal point, or entrance pupil) for each lens's particular focal length. But this will only be a major problem if you are shooting interior panoramas. Outside, I wouldn't worry so much.

**GingerBeer** · 04-12-2010, 11:36 PM

Very interesting. I have only really tried one vertical panorama so far (but I just let Microsoft ICE do all the work anyway).

04-12-2010, 01:09 PM	#1
noahpurdy Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 479	*Nodal point on DA Lenses.** Does the green stripe closes to the mount on the DA* lenses signify the nodal point? Or would the nodal point be different on each lens?

04-12-2010, 02:25 PM	#6
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	From Wikipedia: The nodal points are widely misunderstood in photography, where it is commonly asserted that the light rays "intersect" at "the nodal point", that the iris diaphragm of the lens is located there, and that this is the correct pivot point for panoramic photography, so as to avoid parallax error. These claims are all false, and generally arise from confusion about the optics of camera lenses, as well as confusion between the nodal points and the other cardinal points of the system. The correct pivot point for panoramic photography can be shown to be the centre of the system's entrance pupil. And see the citations.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why only center point focusing for manual lenses?	LightBug	Pentax DSLR Discussion	19	01-01-2010 04:33 AM
Time for a Nodal Ninga?	interested_observer	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	12	12-28-2009 09:23 AM
Setting up focal point for manual lenses. consider crop factor?	D4rknezz	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	09-23-2009 01:00 PM
SEL focus point with Pentax-M lenses	IsaacSteiner	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	02-25-2009 07:21 AM
Nodal Points	HGMonaro	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	06-06-2007 04:07 AM

04-12-2010, 01:10 PM	#2
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	I don't know the answer, but am curious: does it matter? why? Thanks.

04-12-2010, 01:29 PM	#3
noahpurdy Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 479 Original Poster	When shooting panoramas to eliminate parallax problems you need to rotate the camera on it's nodal point.

04-12-2010, 01:42 PM	#4
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	The nodal point generally changes with the focal length on zoom lenses, so the green line likely means nothing. Just from a VERY rough non-scientific test/guess by placing the lens on a stationary pivot of some sort, the nodal point appears to be a bit in front of the green line (for the 16-50 at 16mm).

04-12-2010, 01:44 PM	#5
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by noahpurdy When shooting panoramas to eliminate parallax problems you need to rotate the camera on it's nodal point. Yup. Makes perfect sense. Thanks. Now you know how much I shoot panoramas.

04-12-2010, 02:30 PM	#7
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	Whatever you want to call it, it's the point where you will least likely have problems with stitching vertical panoramas (horizontal ones, and landscape panoramas are not necessarily so fussy). And you need to find the nodal point (or focal point, or entrance pupil) for each lens's particular focal length. But this will only be a major problem if you are shooting interior panoramas. Outside, I wouldn't worry so much.

04-12-2010, 11:36 PM	#8
GingerBeer Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 126	Very interesting. I have only really tried one vertical panorama so far (but I just let Microsoft ICE do all the work anyway).