I'm using a Nikon 5400 with an FC-E9.  When I shoot circular fisheye images in manual mode, my camera zooms all the way out making the circle about 50% of the available screen.  Why does it do this?  Wouldn't I be better off if I could adjust it to use as much of the CCD as possible while still being a circle?

Thanks!

While taking portrait images (long side up) you camera might be trying to maximize the image width and not necessarily the image height.  This will take advantage of your sensor surface area.

And yes, you could always deselect the Fisheye lens option in the Lens type selection menu.  Then zoom in to maximize the full image height.  It is important to remember to use that exact same zoom factor in all the remaining images in the series.  Also, you would need to take more images because the left and right side of the image circle will be truncated.

Try 4 or 6 images in your full panorama then use PW 4 for stitching.  PW3 will only stitch 3 images.

Dave

Once the zoom is set,  do not tinker with it.  It should keep the same zoom level as long as the camera is kept turned on.  Once turned off and on again, the camera zoom might change. 

Idea is that you zoom in just until the top of the circle image reaches the top of the frame..... then leave it and take your images.  You should be able to look at your cameras EXIF picture info and tell what focal length mm your zooms are for each image.

Dave

Hi,

Thanks for all the suggestions.

My problem is that for some reason in "M"anual mode, my camera will not allow me to use the zoom function at all.  As soon as I turn it off automatic mode, the camera zooms out all the way and it cannot be adjusted.  This makes the circle quite small.  I would think it would make sense to make it as large as possible (without losing any of it).  I do have fisheye selected for lens.  I just don't know why the camera locks out the zoom in manual mode.

The camera does NOT lock the zoom in manual mode. The zoom is locked once you select (F1) Fisheye 1 mode.

Zooming on the fisheye lens DOES alter the nodal point somewhat and this can cause stitching problems unless you reset your cameras position for correct nodal point adjustment.

It is recommended you follow the correct procedure.

If you must go against the grain you will need to set the lens setting to "Normal" not F1.

Regards, Smooth

Smooth,

Do you think using zoom will make any difference in the quality of the final image?

Gen. Lee

Your camera probably is in the locked full zoom out because you have the Fisheye lens selected in the LENS menu item. 

In the lens menu item select "Normal".  With the fisheye lens mounted to the camera put the camera on "REC"ord "M"anual you can zoom in or out and your EXIF information will record the focal length used with each image.

Sort of like having a Zoom-able fisheye lens.

When taking a panorama, once you zoom into fill the viewfinder/LCD,  do not turn the camera off... and take all 4 or 6 images needed to get at least 30 - 50% overlap between image pairs.

Depending of the shape of your circle images, use PW4 to stitch 4 or full frame or 4 or 6 drum type.   No guarantee this will stitch properly.

Dave