Hello again!
I know we can stitch a pano with only 2 shots if we are using P5000, FC-E8 and Andrew's Rotator (http://forum.realviz.com/realviz/Discussion-ST/fisheye-rotator-available-sujet_3719_1.htm). But I have seen many people who are taking 3 pictures, do you know why?
I mean, P5000, FC-E8 and UR-E20 are not in the "official" list from Nikon compatibility and I don't know why, if they are at really compatible...
Maybe the FC-E8 loses FOV? and then we can stitch only 2 pictures but it's harder than using a Coolpix 4300?
 
Thanks !
Enrique.

endrip
Even with good 2 fisheye shots, after stitching sometimes the seam can be seen. I used to be able to see a slight "seam shadow" on plain white ceilings when I was shooting with my Coolpix 950/FC-E8.
 
The FC-E8 and FC-E9 usually have a FOV of 183­° producing a 6° overlap. But theres some "falloff" of light at the edges of the circular image.
 
Shooting 3 shots provides a lot more overlap, especially at the horizon, making the seams completely invisible. But 3 fisheyes are a little trickier to get the Zenith to align
 
When I was moving up from the Coolpix I could afford either a Coolpix 5400 or 5700. Both were 5megapixels and the iPIX Rotator for the 5700 would also fit the 8700 when I could buy it later. But for some reason, the 5400 with the FC-E9 has a FOV of 190°. I went with the 5400 and have completely invisible seams.
 
More "Overlap" tends to produce better images. That's why the recommendation with lenses like the Sigma 8mm and Nikkor 10.5mm is to have 33% overlap. The outrageously expensive Coastal Optics 4.88mm lens can do great 2 fisheye stitching with a dSLR camera becasue it has a 185° FOV and very little (if any) falloff at the edges.
 
I couldn't find the seams in the 2 shot P5000 samples Andrew posted, though

Hello Douglas !
I know stitching 3 images will be better than 2. But one more shot is a really difference sometimes.
My doubt was about P5000, because I know Coolpix 4300 will cover 183º (since it is the compatibility list from kodak). But what about the P5000? will it cover 183º too? or it has a lower FOV?
 
Greets !
enrique.

You can use just two shots if you want with the P5000/5100 and the FC-E8 as it does indeed give 183 degree field of view. But you have to take care with where you place the camera to minimise the seam darkening and try to shoot in good balanced lighting.
 
(That's the reason why I use that location for the test shots... ;-)
 
The FC-E8 isn't on the Nikon official compatibility list because it's a "dead" lens. It's no longer in production and there will never be any more made.

OK, thanks Andrew !!!

Hi Enrique-I have used the P5000 and the FC E8.  I took four shots with that setup.  It only took seconds more to shoot and I had no problems with seams in stitching.  
 
Things seemed to go more smoothly with the four shot instead of the two for me.  I spent less time in production because I did not have seam problems.
 
Stephani