UKC

http://www.vrway.com/vrmag_issue_23_hotlist_fullscreen/fullscreen/VR0000084...

Can it be done with a digital compact and a tripod?

In reply to Mudflap: link didnt work for me but if its a 360 panorama youre describing most of them are done with lots of fisheye shots shoved into software like Panorama Tools. Cant imagine rectilinear photos would work, but I could well be wrong.

In reply to Mudflap: Er....So short tranlation, as far as I know, no

I do a similar thing as part of my work, (for virtual tours etc). You can do it easily with a compact, if you get a spherical panoramic head. (I use the manfrotto 303sph which is excellent). If you're willing to limit yourself to cylindric panoramics you can make your own head for a couple of pounds.

one thing, i use a fisheye - depending on the widest focal length your camera goes to it might take a lot more shots.

In reply to Mudflap: Yes, it's quite easy, and the software is free. If you just want a web-resolution VR panorama, then you can just use any old digital compact + normal tripod. I did a couple for the Edge climbing wall years ago.

If you want really high quality (especially for printing) it is easier with a specialist panoramic tripod head.

Cheers

In reply to Nick Smith - UKC: Hmmm. I just looked at the
Trafalgar Square image? THAT don't look stitched to me...

If it is, then it's seriously good editing.

TTG

In reply to Mudflap:

I used to take iPix photos, you need a 8mm lens and the software but the results are better than the qtvr box approach, it creates two hemispheres which are stitched together. But this approach is not free.

http://www.ipix.com/

also I dont think this photo was taken with a tripod.

Light is the biggest factore with stitching sequences together, variations in the amount of light can affect sky tones etc and so more pictures take can assist with light gradient changes.

In reply to Mudflap:

That pic is v impressive. Looks like a time consuming project taking one of those pics.
how many pics would one take to do that kind of thing?

In reply to Mudflap:
here is a fairly good low down on a piece of kit and the technique .
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/michaeliu/cameras/s...

In reply to Mudflap:


The manfrotto 303sph panoramic head looks great but gods holy trousers at around £400 is more than I want to pay.

Are there other alternatives?

What software do people use?

I use a mac. ptmac and cubicconverter have been suggested.

I want to take my existing throwaway digital compact (Canon A640) into the mountains with as little extra kit as possible and create spherical panoramas of sufficent quality to display on a webpage.

In reply to Mudflap:
there are lost of cheaper alternatives and always ebay
there is a manual version also.
I use a mac or pc and gimpshop(photoshop like, but opensource), and do ok their are some good tutorials available if you just look around the net.
http://www.sean.co.uk/a/webdesign/3d/3dpanorama/index.shtm

gimp tutorial
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7295