Cardinal point (optics)#Nodal points

As nodes ( engl. nodal point from node " node " ) or nodal points of an imaging optical system is defined as the points on the optical axis at which the light rays entering at the same angle to the optical axis in the system as it leave, apparently running (front nodal point ) or from which they seemingly go out (rear nodal point ). Located in front of and behind the optical system, a medium with the same refractive index, the nodal points coincide with the main points together ( these are the points of intersection of the principal planes with the optical axis).

The relevant for panoramic photography pivot point usually does not coincide with a nodal point together, but with the position of the entrance pupil of a lens that matches only in a special case ( a single thin lens without additional aperture) with two nodal points (see also the entrance pupil # panoramic photography).

Nodalpunktadapter

A panoramic tripod head allows it, such as a camera or a lens (or both together ) around an arbitrary axis to rotate ( within the mechanical limits of the adapter ) - for example, around the center of the entrance pupil or to one of the two nodal points. Using a panoramic tripod head and a collimator can be the nodal points of a lens determined.

Nodalpunktadapter are mainly used in the creation of panoramas from single images. The adapter is adjusted so that the axis of rotation with a diameter of the entrance pupil is coincident (and not with one of the nodal points, and not to the image plane ).