Pan

AI-generated reference clip

Pan leftPan rightPanoramic

The camera rotates horizontally on a fixed point, like turning your head left or right.

Camera Movement · Easy

Connects two things or follows action across space. Smooth feels like looking around; fast feels urgent.

1Point your body at where the pan ENDS, then twist back to the start.

2Hold 2–3 s, pan at a constant speed, hold 2–3 s at the end.

3If following someone, keep lead room in front of them.

Event

Follow the speaker walking across the stage.

Wedding

Follow the bride walking down the aisle.

Real estate

Slow pan to show how a living room connects to the kitchen.

Needs gear you don't own yet.

Best option

Fluid head with a little drag for smooth starts and stops.

Gimbal in pan-follow mode.

A7 V + 24-70 settings

Keep the 180° shutter (1/50 at 25p): faster shutters make pans stutter.

Pan slowly at wide focal lengths. Fast pans at 24mm judder (the ~7-second rule: take 7 s+ to cross the frame).

Panning back and forth ("hosepiping").

Panning across nothing: always pan from something to something.

Pan with 3 walking people on a tripod, keeping each perfectly framed with lead room.