Instruction manual

Instruction Manual Roundshot D3 - version 4.05 – May 2013 - © by Seitz Phototechnik AG / Switzerland www.roundshot.ch page 52
Close the aperture as far as possible
Contrary to other digital cameras and digital backs the
optimum sharpness is not achieved at an intermediary f-stop
(such as f=11) but rather when closing the aperture as far as
possible (for example, f=22 or more).
Lens data
Lens settings
(focus, aperture)
4.2 … obtain the best sharpness (continued)
Focus the lens manually and with the Focusing Assistant
Set the approximate distance on the lens first and then use the
Focusing Assistant to fine-tune sharpness. Repeat this process
once all other sharpness enhancements (lens data, rotation
point, distance setting, exposure: TDI Stages) are complete.
Enter accurate lens data
Make sure that the effective focal length in the software is
accurate. For example, the effective focal length for the
80mm Schneider Apo-Digitar L is not 80.0mm but 80.34mm.
Setting the effective focal length precisely is important to:
- Compute and set the exact rotation point
- Calculate the exact horizontal dimensions of the panorama
Distance
setting
Set the same distance in the software as set on the lens
Changing the focusing distance on the lens makes the focal
length vary. Enter the exact focusing distance in the software
(„Distance“). The software computes the new effective focal
length which in turn is needed to obtain the best sharpness.
Exposure:
TDI Stages
Select less TDI Stages if possible
When using fisheye lenses for spherical 180° x 360°
panoramas, the angles at the edge become extreme, so there
is a loss in sharpness in these areas of the image. Limiting TDI
Stages to 1x or 2.5x allows a better alignment and increased
edge sharpness for fisheye lenses. For other lenses it is also
recommendable to use less TDI stages. Use TDI 20x when
necessary (for example for indoor photography).
For a large variety of Schneider and Rodenstock lenses all lens data is known and
the computation of the correct rotation points is possible. For some other medium
format lenses, however, this data is not available and the lens data can be set only
by approximation. In this case it is advisable to use less TDI Stages, thus allowing
better pixel alignment and better sharpness.