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The L-bracket (9) and the upper, blue clamping plate (2) are shiftable along the X- and
Y-axis. Both plates have scales on their sides to mount them in reproducible positions.
To avoid a parallax effect between the single shots, you mount the camera in a specific
position, so that the centre of rotation is in the centre of the entrance pupil of the lens. This
point is also called “nodalpoint”, “no parallax point” or “optical centre”.
How to determine this position is the topic of the next chapter.
Advice
When using a zoom lens, you have to find out the nodal point for each focal length sepa-
rately.
Field use
Step 1
Transport
Common practice is to transport the equipment separated in three parts:
Part 1: Tripod with mounted ball head and lower panning base (10)
•
Part 2: L-bracket (9) with upper panning base (5)
•
Part 3: Camera mounted on clamping plate (2) with spirit level (1)
•
Step 2
Level the lower panning base (10) with the horizon
Set up your tripod and pay attention to a safe stand. You don’t have to align the tripod.
Watch the bubble level on the base and level the system by the ball head beneath.
Step 3
Fix the L-bracket (9) on the quick release of the lower panning base (10)
Use the lower scale on the L-bracket (9) and the value you have found (see last chapter
“Finding the nodal point, preparatory step 2“) to position the clamping plate (9) on the
right spot, which is dependent on the camera you use.
Step 4
Install the blue clamping plate (2) - including premounted camera - into the quick
release of the upper panning base (5)
Use the scale on the blue clamping plate (2) and the value you have found (see last chapter
“Finding the nodal point, preparatory step 3“) to position the clamping plate on the right
spot, which depends on the lens you use.
Step 5
Define the horizontal panning angle “increment“
In each row you rotate the system horizontally with the lower panning base (10) around a
specific angle, which can be set at the blue increment selector knob (13). This angle de-
pends on the wanted overlap, the camera you use (crop factor) and the focal length.
For optimal performance the software needs an overlap of 20-50%. Between each expo-
sure use a fixed panning angle. To estimate the increments, look through the viewfinder
while panning your system through the scene, but it is much more easier to follow the
tables on the next page. The number of shots for a 360 ° rotation (second column in bold)
can be selected directly at the lower increment selector knob (13). Simply move the equip-
ment between two single frames to the next click-stop.
The assembly of the remaining system should always be done from the bottom to
the top
Set up your tripod and pay attention
•
to a safe stand. The tripod can also
stand in a slightly inclined position.
Level the lower panning base (10)
•
with the horizon. Watch the spirit lev-
el on the plate and level the system
by the ball head or leveling device
beneath.
The assembly of the clamping plate
•
QPL-VR PRO in L-shape (9) has to
be done principally
without camera
.
Check the stability after tightening
the lower locking screw (12). Pay at-
tention, that both clamps of the quick
release are grabbing at the profile of
the plate.
The last assembly step is to install the
•
blue clamping plate (2) completely
with the premounted camera into the
quick release of the upper panning
base (5). Check the stability after
tightening the upper locking screw
(7). Pay attention that both clamps of
the quick release are grabbing at the
profile of the plate and make sure,
that the blue angle locking screw (6)
is locked.
10
9
2
12
7
5
