Getting parallels

[Himself]

It`s a question that I`d like to find the answer.
How to get the camera parallel with the object. I`m talking table/product photography.
The verticals should be easy: a hot shoe level for the camera a level for the object.
How do we determine whether the sides are parallel? Same question applies when shooting the famous brick test.

[LucisPictor]

With a brick wall you can simply measure it. With a table object that deosn't work as well.

[poilu]

I think I read it in the test procedure of photozone.de
put a mirror at the center of the target
place your dslr to see yourself at the center
you are parallel

[Himself]

[Himself]

Nobody? Anybody?

[poilu]

[Himself]

Wait, just wait and I`ll get back to you.
Unexpectedly of course. Stealth mod(e)

[fuzzywuzzy]

Hopefully you're not shooting on the kitchen table?

If your tabletop is perfectly square, you could use a draftsman's T-square to line things up.

I can't explain in words, does this sketch make sense to anyone but me?



You'd sight the camera using the line of the square, align it to the live view grid or the focusing dots in the finder.

A macro rail or something would probably help make those fine adjustments accurately.

[Himself]

Thanks bud.
It makes sense. And I have a T-square too.
The table doesn't have to be square. Any rectangle should do it.