Will Johnson
Posts: 51
Location:
Registered: 20 Sep 2005
|
Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would help
Posted: 20 Sep 2005 at 14:47 GMT
|
|
I am plannning to start my own virtual tour based small business, I've been planning it for over 2 years. Things look promising (money needed) and I've done some research.
I would need your feedback on my options:
-a Canon 20D camera with 8 mm Sigma fisheye lens, I need a special mount for the lens or maybe something else? I am pretty unfamiliar with some of the terms and meanings in photography....
-Easypano Panoweaver and Tourweaver professinal
-reading the forums I could not figure out what kind of camera brackets, mounts and so on would be needed, or would work best.
I am investing all of my money, beeing a student I would like to have the best choice to save time and energy.
Also I would be interested on what kind of apparell soft I need for one shot 360 degrees image.
I would be grateful for every post.
Thanks you.
Johnson
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
emarts
Posts: 67
Location: United States
Registered: 16 Jun 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would help
Posted: 20 Sep 2005 at 15:15 GMT
|
|
Well, I'm not a pro (but I wanna be some day), but I'll fill you in on what I got and how it's working for me.
First, the camera. Mine is the Canon Digital Rebel with the Sigma 8mm fisheye lens. If you buy the 20D I believe it will work. Check out Sigma's website to be sure and go to dpreview.com for specific camera questions.
I also have Panoweaver/Tourweaver. I have found that that combination is very easy to use. Panoweaver seems to be very forgiving in that your images don't have to be perfect to get a decent pano. Big drawback though is the price. If you are a good learner, you can definitely do better with cheaper software. I tried PTMac and liked it, but I can't get my head around it. I want to spend more time thinking about shooting than building the pano.
Because Panoweaver, Tourweaver and the Sigma lens just about ate up my entire budget, I went cheap on the pano head and bought the King Pano. I think it's just great. Bill provides excellent support and the pano head is surprisingly sturdy. I wish though that there was a way to shoot straight down without dismounting the camera to get an unobstructed shot. Also, a quick connect/release would be nice for easy mounting/dismounting of the camera instead of screws. I'm sure there will be others praising other heads, but I'm quite pleased with this one. Maybe when I start making some money at this, I'll buy something else.
If you want to see samples of my stuff go here: electronicmediaarts.com/panos/samples/
Please keep in mind that I am not a professional photographer and I hope to improve my shooting skills.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
zxcvbnm
Posts: 412
Location:
Registered: 3 May 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 20 Sep 2005 at 18:49 GMT
|
|
I was wondering about the sigma 8mm. Can you do a complete sphere just by going around in portrait or do you have to have a zenith up shot to complete it? Obviously up and down shots are better but compulsory?
Thanks
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Smooth
Posts: 3773
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 20 Sep 2005 at 19:34 GMT
|
|
Using a Sigma 8mm you can shot 4 shots (in rotation) and complete a full sphere. You will need to patch the Zenith and clone or cap the tripod out. (Unless you shoot hand held) Then you have just shadows and feet to worry about! LOL
You can even do a full sphere with as little as 3 shots using the MrotatorC from www.agnos.com but will loose some definition because of the minimal overlap. Still fast shooting and a usable result.
add up and down shots if you like (but not compulsory)
Regards, Smooth 
www.smooth360.com
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Will Johnson
Posts: 51
Location:
Registered: 20 Sep 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 21 Sep 2005 at 9:24 GMT
|
|
Hi there (Smooth), I see that you have a lot of posts and experience in this field. What dou you think about my equipement I am planning to buy?
Canon 20D+Sigma 8mm fisheye lenses, Easyapano Panoweaver and Tourweaver?
What kind of affordable tripods do you think I should use?
Do yo think I could buy something better for the same amount of money?
I am thinking a lot about this things, honestly I am getting more confused reading this amount of opinions..
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Will Johnson
Posts: 51
Location:
Registered: 20 Sep 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 21 Sep 2005 at 9:31 GMT
|
|
As Emart posted: a Canon Rebel would be ok? it has only 6.3 mpixels, Canon 20D has 8.3 but it costs twice as much... what about quality??? Cannot figure it out.
ave
Johnson
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
emarts
Posts: 67
Location: United States
Registered: 16 Jun 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 21 Sep 2005 at 14:23 GMT
|
|
|
Will you be using your camera for other things? I chose Canon for the ability to change lenses. Yes, Canon lenses are expensive, but I don't just shoot panos. The Digital Rebel is a good camera as a first-time DSLR. If all you want to do are panos though, I'm sure there are less expensive alternatives. With any SLR system, you're not buying into the camera, you're buying into the lenses. Decide if you like Canon lenses or Nikon lenses (or another brand) because you'll be using them for a long time.
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Will Johnson
Posts: 51
Location:
Registered: 20 Sep 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 21 Sep 2005 at 17:36 GMT
|
|
I checked the Canon Digital Rebel, it costs half as much, but I would wanna buy the Canon 20D because of its features not mentioning the 8.2 megapixels. I would rarely use it for personal use, although I could make some pretty godd pictures with it, I think..
Maybe use it within my website, my focus is on panoramic images that can be made with the best quality within this price range. (A total cost of 3000 USD, camera, lenses, software, tripod and panohead.)
On the other hand I would like to use it for a long time, and I would like my equipment to be at least good, not professional. The lenses, Sigma 8mm can be fitted to the camera, and I`ve read that they work good together.
But you know, informations that can be found on the internet can be one sided, that is why I would like to know the opinion of people who are experienced in panoramic photography.
Johnson
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Smooth
Posts: 3773
Location: Mount Panorama, Australia
Registered: 21 Jul 2004
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 21 Sep 2005 at 18:59 GMT
|
|
Hi Johnson,
Mate, there are basically two popular choices when it comes down to it.
Canon or Nikon as far as cameras go.
Sigma 8mm and Nikkor 10.5mm Fisheye lenses.
Both combination are excellent choices!
You must way up what you wish to achieve with your equipment. Because both will shoot panorama's and beautiful still shots.
If I was to buy a new Canon in your price bracket I would go for the Canon 20D over the 350D. That said, the 350D/Rebel XT is a great camera. Both are 8.2 megapixels cameras. You connect a Sigma 8mm Fisheye and you can shoot nice panoramas with as little as 4 shots at 90°.
Now the Nikkor/Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye is a superior lens to the Sigma 8mm (and both can fit the Nikon camera) but the 10.5mm requires a minimum of 6 shots and of course a Nikon Camera (Barring the adaptor rings available) In your price range this limits you to the Nikon D70s a 6.1 megapixel camera.
Both the above systems would fit the Agnos MrotatorTCP panohead and you could use this head with all types of lenses making very universal and adaptable. View more on their website www.agnos.com
I would suggest one of many Manfrotto - Gitzo - Velbon brand tripods. Look for something stable and quality with three stage locking legs and make sure it has a removable pan head (which almost all do) Personally I currently use a Velbon Sherpa 600 and I find it very good. I use mine in conjunction with a Manfrotto #222 pistol grip tilt leveller.
So there is my point of view for you to ponder!
I like the Canon Camera, but I'm jealous over the Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye.
Good luck.
Regards, Smooth
www.smooth360.com
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Will Johnson
Posts: 51
Location:
Registered: 20 Sep 2005
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 22 Sep 2005 at 12:08 GMT
|
|
Are there differences between shooting with fisheye lenses and single shot 360 degrees pictures?
The 360 degrees shots are practical, but they offer the same quality as fisheye lenses?
I have seen the Kaidan 360 One Shot hardware, there are similar products on the market, it seemed ok, nevertheless you shot events and so on with one click..
What do you think?
Johnson
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
Algenon
Posts: 135
Location: Australia
Registered: 29 Jun 2004
|
Re: Questions regarding a full equipment that I could use, I have a perspective, although I would he
Posted: 22 Sep 2005 at 12:26 GMT
|
|
Hi Johnson,
you state at the outset that you are unfamiliar with some of the terms of photography. Which means you are probably not a photographer. If you are planning on shooting virtual tours (real estate?) for a web interface, then I strongly suggest the Kaidan 360 one-shot. These are more than good enough for the real estate market.
Once you get into stitching with fish-eye lenses you will need a whole new set of skills, plus a solid bank balance to purchase the overpriced pano heads, and other add-ons.
So keep it simple and spend your resources on the business.
Kind regards ........... Algenon
|
|
alert moderator
|
|
back to threads list |
this thread is closed