Landscape photography techniques

[Calson]

Art Wolfe created an amazing image that was comprised of many images of a forest scene shot using the 70-200mm lens at 200mm focal length. This was not something that could be done in any other manner.

Having a head designed for panoramas helps as goes using a quick leveling tripod (as with my Gitzo 2531LVL and Feisol 3472 with the quick level base) and the best head by far is the Arca-Swiss D4 GP (supports a load of up to 66 lbs). With the Z camera's level indicators I can adjust the D4 GP in seconds to have everything perfectly level.

 

[GregT943]

The Sunwayfoto DMP-200R is $39.95. There is no bubble level.
The Neewer 200mm is only $23.99. Amazon link One bubble level.
B&H recommended the CAMVATE Slide Rail for $23.80 BH link. It has Two Bubble Levels.
For the other cheapest in-stock L bracket, B&H only had the "3-Legged-Thing" for $129.99 BH link

Anyone of those rails should be fine. Leofoto has a new 1 piece L bracket for $50. You can order it on B&H special order or from the Leofoto website. Their old 2 piece design was identical to the smallrig L bracket which is also $50. Both work well, just depends on your preference for design.

https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-lpno-z8-l-bracket-for-nikon-z8-camera
https://www.smallrigreseller.com/smallrig-l-bracket-for-nikon-z-8-3942.html

 

[JoelKlein]

Anyone of those rails should be fine. Leofoto has a new 1 piece L bracket for $50. You can order it on B&H special order or from the Leofoto website. Their old 2 piece design was identical to the smallrig L bracket which is also $50. Both work well, just depends on your preference for design.

https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-lpno-z8-l-bracket-for-nikon-z8-camera
https://www.smallrigreseller.com/smallrig-l-bracket-for-nikon-z-8-3942.html

Thanks.
I canceled the B&H L bracket and amazon’d the leofoto.
I then relized the small rig L is loger around the bettery doors. Does that longer design make the Z8 with L fit better in the hands?

-
Regarding a tripod.
I currently have a bigger and heavier
Sirui SR-3004 SR Series Professional Aluminum Tripod
Would a monopod with legs be firm enough for a panorama shot?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1699915-REG

 

[GregT943]

Thanks.
I canceled the B&H L bracket and amazon’d the leofoto.
I then relized the small rig L is loger around the bettery doors. Does that longer design make the Z8 with L fit better in the hands?

-
Regarding a tripod.
I currently have a bigger and heavier
Sirui SR-3004 SR Series Professional Aluminum Tripod
Would a monopod with legs be firm enough for a panorama shot?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1699915-REG

Some people like the longer design better, some don't like the battery door is a little harder to access. It's just personal preference. What ever you think would fits your hands better.

A monopod would be fine for some Panos. I do a lot of panos hand held, so a monopod would work with those shots. I would stick to a tripod for panos that require you to use a nodal rail or have longer shutter speeds.

 

[JoelKlein]

Some people like the longer design better, some don't like the battery door is a little harder to access. It's just personal preference. What ever you think would fits your hands better.

A monopod would be fine for some Panos. I do a lot of panos hand held, so a monopod would work with those shots. I would stick to a tripod for panos that require you to use a nodal rail or have longer shutter speeds.

nodal rail wouldn’t play nice with a leged monopod?

 

[GregT943]

nodal rail wouldn’t play nice with a leged monopod?

If you are using a nodal rail it's because you have foreground objects within your pano image. Any shift or wobble in the position of your camera between shots will create images that were captured from different perspectives and prevent them from being stitched together in post. A monopod just isn't stable enough. When doing panos with foreground objects and a nodal rail you need a stable and level base (tripod). If you are shooting a pano of distant objects, you won't need a nodal rail at all, and then you can use a monopod or even just shoot it hand held.

 

[JoelKlein]

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

This with a Nodel rail, would be unstable?
I’m trying to think of a way to make it lighter.

 

[groob]

I doubt a monopod will work. I also do not think you need a nodal rail. Software is so good these days at stitching panos together that you just need a level camera and ~30% overlap between frames. You should definitely go out and try more panos before spending money on a rail and/or a monopod.