Dr. Croubie....my suggestion would be the latest version of Photoshop Elements for around $100.


I'm using CS3, so I can't speak directly about the latest Elements stitching ability, but I would dare say it's as good as CS3....read Adobe's info on their latest version.


I hand hold (vertical positioning) all my outside panos, keeping a close eye on my lines as I pan. IMO CS3 does an amazing job putting together up to 8 photos...my computer takes a long time stitching over 8 raw pix.


On the finished stitched pic, normally all I need to do is minor straightening of the horizon and cropping of horizontal and vertical lines. Of course there is blending exposures and the other adjustments I like to do.


Here's an example of 7 pix using the 100-400. Great Blue Heron rookery


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/9/8400.GBH-rookery.jpg[/img]


Here's an example of 5 pix using (Neuro's) 24-105. Boston skyline w/Harvard's football stadium in the foreground.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/9/5875.Mt-Auburn-pano-from-tower-copy.jpg[/img]


and finally an example of 3 pix using my 17-55. Relatively large master bedroom


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/9/3060.Seaweed-msbr-ll-copy.jpg[/img]


All photos were hand held, although normally, I use a Nodal Ninja for small interior RE shots.


Good luck


Bill