NOVOFLEX VR-System III Manual page 8

Tip:
Don't take large charts with you, when you go out for taking pictures, but narrow them down to
the information you really need on location. That is the nodal point distance and the increments
of your favorite lenses. It is very useful to write down this information on a little label and fix it to
the angle bracket or tripod.
You can see my personal label in the illustration on the right.
Please notice: My label only applies for my personal camera-lens-combination, based on my
experience and is not transferable in general. By the way, I mount my camera only in portrait
mode, using a 16-35mm zoom and 50mm prime lens on a fullframe camera.
Step 5:
Set up the nodal point:
Adjust the distance between the rotating axis and the camera with the focusing rack, depending on the lens you are
using. Reuse the settings you've found before (see chapter
Step 6:
Camera settings:
•
For best quality, standardize the exposure in each single frame, meaning choose
manual exposure mode. When it is not possible, because the intensity of light
varies between the single exposures strongly, consider the HDR technique using
autobracketing with your camera.
• The optimal f-stop is located between f8 and f11. In this range you have enough
depth of field and fewer problems with vignetting of the lens (dark corners).
• Place the focus on the main subject of the scene. Then turn off the auto focus
system.
• Use a fixed white balance such as sunny, cloudy etc. (don't use automatic white
balance, otherwise you will have frames with different colors). When taking the
pictures in RAW format you can match the white-balance afterwards also.
•
In the case of longer exposure time, we recommend using a remote release and
- if possible - the mirror lockup or live-view function of your SLR camera. Please
refer to your cameras manual.
Step 7:
Taking the pictures:
Last checkup:
• System leveled to the horizon (veryfy with the spirit level on the panning base)?
• Set panning angle (increment), depending on the focal length?
• Correct values on the lower and upper scale?
• Set fixed white balance (e.g. sunny)?
• Manual exposure mode?
• Correct exposure (f-stop in the middle range, corresponding exposure time)?
• Focused on the main subject of the scene?
• Auto focus system turned off?
"Finding the nodal point", preparatory step
f. length Lever
16-21 8 (16/2)
22-25 10 (30/3)
26-30 12 (36/3)
31-35 15 (30/2)
50 18 (36/2)
Nodalpt. cm
16-35 10,9
50 4,2
My personal label
5).