Tech question re panarama's
 

6 shot (all @ 17mm aps-c so 28mm equivalent) panarama taken using a tripod, all taken just by moving the tripod head. Tried several times with two different stitch programmes with three sets of photos 3 & 6 shot pano's.

OK, question why does it 'bend' the metal beam supports nearest the camera?

Is this the effect your after.

Not sure of reason why but most zoom lens have a fair degree of distortion at extreme wide end of there range. Maybe if you correct distortion on the single shots before merging

I have had this problem also. I agree with Rob, you need to correct the single shots first. Try using something like DXO software or Photoshop lens correction - an alternative is to take two rows of shots, one above the other and then crop the middle parts of each shot where there is minimal distortion and then stitch.

It is entirely possible that you can get this effect with originals that are straight and true. In which case the problem may lie with the stitching method which your software chooses. Some programs offer little or no option, some (autopano e.g.) offer four or five; spherical, cylinder, Mercator and ...most suitably for countering distortion, planar interpolation. Just a thought and apologies if you've already trodden this path.

Graham

Rob, yes thats was the result I was after. Not sure if I'm more or less confused, The single shots don't appear to have any distortion?
Graham PS Elements (which I use) does give you options (not Mercator) Auto, Perspective, Cylindrical, spherical, collage and distortion. Is one of those the same ?

Take a shot of a door frame straight on @ 17mm and if the sides are bowed that's your distortion.

I'm not sure if planar is the same as perspective or distortion. The others seem to be the same in both.

Maybe you could post the originals and other members (and I) could put it through our favourite software?