Just Bought A Handy Device To Improve Panoramas

Neewer Tripod Leveling Base with Offset Bubble Level (click to enlarge)
Press Photo From the Amazon Web Page

Often times I make panorama images from two or more image files.  One of the reasons is that panoramas give you much more detail and a larger file size when compared to a similar field of view from one image file.  The alternative is to use a wide angle lens then crop one file to the size and shape you desire, which of course, results in a smaller file size and less discernible detail.  

The easy way to make panorama images is to just carefully hold your camera parallel to the horizon, then rotate it from left to right or right to left, overlapping each image by 1/3 to 1/2.  All manual exposure, of course.  You don't want your exposure varying across the images.  If doing a horizontal panorama, it helps to turn your camera to the vertical position as you get more vertical real estate in your final image.    

The difficulty using this method is that one has to be to try to very carefully visually line up each individual image, usually the horizon, to the one before so the stitching software has something reasonable to meld together.  This works pretty well most of the time as the software available, for example Lightroom Classic, Photoshop and Photomatix, are pretty sophisticated (its really magic!) and can make a pretty good panorama.  However, often times, when using software to stitch images, you will see that your final image bows up in the center with a loss of subject matter at each corner due to the imperfect method of making the panorama.  You then have to crop your panorama to make it rectangular once more. (I know Lightroom can "stretch the edges to straighten and fill in the edges of the image but that is not ideal).  This bowing up is due to either you not keeping your camera aligned perfectly or more likely you not rotating your camera at the lens' nodal point.  Nodal point?  What is that? That is another post.

One trick I learned many years ago was to a) stand with your feet at shoulder width facing the end of what will be your panorama then, b) twist your body to the direction of the start of your panorama. That creates a bit of stretch or tension in your waist.  Then, as you move from, say, left to right, the tension releases and it becomes easier and easier with every shot to keep your camera aligned perfectly.

However, the best way to make a panorama is to use a tripod, which is absolutely level so you then can level your tripod/ball head.  However, it is hard to get a tripod absolutely level and if it isn't level, when you rotate the head, your levelness will not be consistent across all of the images, resulting again in your final panorama not lining up perfectly.  There is a solution.

I purchased a Neewer Tripod Leveling Base With Offset Bubble Level to place between my tripod and my ballhead.  The is an image of it at the top of the post and two additional images below.  this device allows you to perfectly level the top of your tripod resulting in much easier and much better panoramic images.  This kind of device would be especially valuable when making videos and panning across a scene.  I paid $45 US for this little device and I'm pretty impressed with it.

Press Photo from Amazon (click to enlarge)

Press Photo from Amazon (click to enlarge)

I have to say that, in the past, everything I have purchased from Neewer has been of very high quality with no failures at all.  This device continues that trend.  The leveling base is made with precision from machined aluminum and is nicely anodized black.  All joints fit snugly and it loosens and tightens perfectly.  My initial assessment is that this is a high quality device.  I haven't used it in the field yet, but will thoroughly test it out and if I find it doesn't work as designed, I'll surely let you know.  Here is an image of it on my smaller Gitzo travel tripod with my old Markins ballhead mounted on it.

Leveling base mounted on my Gitzo
(click to enlarge)

I'll be leaving on an extended road trip to the Rocky Mountains soon and I know I'll want to make some high quality panoramic images with lots of gorgeous detail.  This little device should allow me to accomplish that.

The tilt is 10 degrees in any direction, typically enough to level a tripod that may be a bit out of kilter. The idea is for you not to have to spend a lot of time minutely adjusting each of your tripod so the top is perfectly level each time you set it up to make an image.  

The base comes with two 1/4" to 3/8" tripod bolt adapters so it should fit any tripod and/or ballhead.  It also comes with a hex wrench (Allen wrench) so you can tighten the three bolts which holds your ballhead or fluid head secure to the tripod's top surface.  It does add a bit of weight to my tripod, 2/3 of a pound, but it isn't a unreasonable amount.  My long hiking days are over and I mostly work within a quarter mile of my vehicle when out photographing.  I don't forsee the little extra weight as being problematic.

I know other companies make similar devices but at a much higher price.  Since I don't make that many panoramic images and I don't make videos, I can't see paying $200 to  more than $300 US for one.  This should work well for my purposes.

I'm anxious to get out and try it.  The weather in Virginia is still stifling, 95 F today with a heat index well over 100 F!  On days such as this I stay inside.  The humidity is suffocating.  But I'll get out as soon as this extreme heat breaks and give this little device a run for its money, so to speak.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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