Nrgy
Posts: 6
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Registered: 25 Jan 2013
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Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 3:24 GMT
updated: 25 Feb 2013 at 3:26 GMT
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I recently entered into the world of spherical panoramas, and have invested quite a bit so far into this hobby to do it right. I've learned a lot along the way, and I'm getting very close to being happy with my final image output. However, I would like to take that final step and get the type of clarity I see in the panoramas featured on Regal360.
From what I understand, his latest projects have been using the Nikon 14-24mm lens on a FF body, and I really love the final results.
I am using, however, the Canon 7D and 8mm Samyang/Rokinon fish-eye lens. I have been happy with this lens, as it does produce some nice images, however when comparing to the Regal360 panos in terms of sharpness, it is leaving me wanting more.
Here is a 1600 x 1600 cube face example of my results with the Samyang/Rokinon 8mm, processed with the following:
F8, ISO100, -2,0,+2.
Stitched in PTgui, output blend planes @ 10000 x 5000.
Merged and tonemapped in Photomatix.
Minor post processing and sharpening in PS.
Convert to 1600 x 1600 cube faces @ 80% quality.
Are the results I am getting typical for this lens? And if so, would I in fact benefit from a lens upgrade?
And finally, what lens for a Canon 7D could produce similar results as the Nikon 14-24? There are so many options the more I look! I would like to keep total shots under 12 if possible.
Thanks for any advice and sorry for the long winded first post!
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kasenyee
Posts: 73
Location: Toronto, Canada
Registered: 22 Jun 2012
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 3:31 GMT
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sorry, this isn't an answer to your question, but how do you post photos/pans in here?
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Nrgy
Posts: 6
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Registered: 25 Jan 2013
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 3:36 GMT
updated: 25 Feb 2013 at 3:38 GMT
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I actually use Dropbox from Dropbox.com. I just installed the program onto my computer, drag and drop my photos into the Dropbox folder which stores the files on their servers (2gb free storage), and right click on the image once in the folder to copy the public link and that's it!
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Smooth
Posts: 4011
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 4:46 GMT
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I'd say your images are typical from that lens, but a lot more can be got from them.
Getting a sharp and clear image isn't only as a result of the Camera body and lens used. Knowing how to get the most from it are the secrets. Such as Hyperfocal shooting and post processing. Of course using a longer focal length will yield more resolution and a rectilinear/prime lens should also improve the image sharpness edge to edge over a fisheye along with improved Chromatic Aberration and Vignetting.
Knowing how to improve the weaknesses of the lens and generally improve the results with RAW processing is where skill comes into play.
Then you have the interpolation settings used when converting the images into .jpg cube faces to be shown as an immersive panorama.
It has never been a case of buying equipment to get perfect results. You can't buy your way to the top with "just" hardware. That said, you have options in Canon lenses to give similar or same focal lengths. Samyang 14mm Prime is a good lens at a fair price. Then you have Canon's owm Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L series. Just remember you will be shooting a lot more images to cover your sphere.
Upload a RAW image from your equipment and let others have a got at processing it.
Regards, Smooth 
www.omnipix.com.au
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Nrgy
Posts: 6
Location:
Registered: 25 Jan 2013
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 6:04 GMT
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Yes I completely agree it takes a lot more than just having the right hardware to get the perfect results, but I guess I was just wondering if I'm in a situation where this particular piece of hardware (the lens) might be holding me back. If a different lens would make the process a little less complicated (in regards to clarity) for a novice then I would consider it.
In general, do you believe the longer the focal length the better the image results? For example: 14mm > 10mm > 8mm. Or could say, a high end Canon 8-15mm f/4 L lens at 8mm produce results on par with a quality 14mm?
Like you stated, I wouldn't want to increase my shot count dramatically, considering I only have to take 6 right now for a 360x180. But I could accept doubling this number.
Anyhow, here is a link to a .zip file of 3 RAW bracketed shots. As you can see, the letters on the snowmobiles are soft, which I'm assuming is simply a result of the choice of lens?
dl.dropbox.com/u/45859785/snow_raw.zip
Thanks again for the assistance.
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Smooth
Posts: 4011
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 7:26 GMT
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Without bothering to process your images I can see that the focus is incorrect. Using the writing on the jet ski's it is clear that you haven't achieved the hyperfocal setting.
Before you worry about new equipment you must learn how to get the most from what you have.
Start by learning about Hyperfocal distances for your camera and lens combination. www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
Shooting a series of shots using slightly different focus settings and possibly aperture settings and then compare the results. When you find the correct setting where everything just about has equal focus you can then tape the focus ring into a fixed position.
The question has to be asked: What position are you currently setting your focus ring to?
Typically yes, the longer the focal length is the more resolution, but not necessarily the better image. They are too completely different lenses when comparing the Fisheye 8-15mm and the 14mm prime lens. That's like comparing a Yatch to a Speed Boat. Both good in they own way.
Don't waste you time on anything else until you find the Hyperfocal length and prove you have a crisp in focus image - near to infinity.
Regards, Smooth
www.omnipix.com.au
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Nrgy
Posts: 6
Location:
Registered: 25 Jan 2013
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 9:17 GMT
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Thanks for the link on hyperfocal distances. I must admit with the manual focus I wasn't quite sure where to set it, so I pretty much defaulted to the Infinity setting with all my shots.
I'll work at improving the hyperfocal setting and see if that can produce the results I'm after. I'll post up another RAW shot on here when I think I've achieved the best result that I can...hopefully soon!
Your advice is greatly appreciated. Out of curiosity, what camera/lens do you use? Your panos look great as well!
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Smooth
Posts: 4011
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 9:40 GMT
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Nrgy said: Thanks for the link on hyperfocal distances. I must admit with the manual focus I wasn't quite sure where to set it, so I pretty much defaulted to the Infinity setting with all my shots.
Infinity is never the right setting. Most likely it will be around the 1 to 3 meter mark. But lenses vary in build accuracy.
Nrgy said: Out of curiosity, what camera/lens do you use? Your panos look great as well!
I use a vast variety, but these include the Canon 7D, Sony NEX 5, Canon 5D MKII and Nikon D300s. Lenses include Canon f/2.8 15mm Fisheye, Canon f/4.0 8-15mm Zoom Fisheye, Tokina f/3.5 10-17mm Fisheye, Samyang 8mm, Samyang MFT 7.5mm (Modified to Sony NEX), Sigma 8mm, Madoka 7.5mm, Nikkor f/2.8 10.5mm Fisheye etc to name a few in the collection.
As a tip: Focusing on something 1.2 to 1.5 metres from your focal plane should see a leap in your overall focus quality. But you should continue to do your own tests and search for your hyperfocal setting.
Regards, Smooth
www.omnipix.com.au
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John Houghton
Posts: 3709
Location: Hitchin, United Kingdom
Registered: 17 Jan 2005
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Re: Lens advice for improved sharpness/resolution.
Posted: 25 Feb 2013 at 10:06 GMT
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Don't rely on the scale markings on the focus ring. Set the focus at 1m using live view, and tape the focus ring so that it cannot move. Check by taking some test photos. I think you can get much improved results from your images with better sharpening. You might also increase the cube face size from 1600 to 1910. You don't mention how you convert your equirectangular image to cube faces. If using Pano2VR, take care to select a good interpolator such as lanczos3 instead of the default mitchell.
John
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