stalwart
Posts: 55
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 20 Dec 2007
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Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 8:19 GMT
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Hi all
A client has asked if it is possible to take a full spherical pano from a mast, say 15m up in the air. Well, I know it can be done as per the example of the house top-right on this website: www.clearshots.co.uk/360_tours/
This set-up uses a Canon Powershot series of camera that can take pictures remotely with a USB connection to a laptop using Canon’s own Zoom Browser software. The mount atop the mast is remote controlled for 360 panning, and a maximum of 30° tilt. So, it would be possible, with say a Raynox wide-angle converter lens to do a limited FOV, or a number of rows. But, how would you be able to get a decent Zenith or Nadir? Anyone had a go at this set up before?
Stu
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Paul Thomas
Posts: 11
Location: East Sussex, United Kingdom
Registered: 7 Nov 2007
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 9:26 GMT
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Not sure how much this will help but I run a similiar elevated aerial photogrpahy company down here in the South East and use a Canon Powershot G9, (a superb camera in my opinion in it's genre) and fitted with a Canon Wide Angle lens.
I have tried 360 pano's before with mixed results as the mast is not always 100% stable if there is a breeze. Stitching can be a nightmare!
A limited FOV would be possible but Nadir/Zenith would be difficult based on the pan head tilt only giving approx. 30 degrees in total, therefore with 15 degrees +/- An upward shot from the ground and fixed in PhotoShop may work but nadir would be difficult.
With the good weather and light winds we have at the present, I give it another go this week to see what can be done.
Shameless company plug: www.high-aspect-imagery.co.uk
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badders
Posts: 30
Location: East Kilbride, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Dec 2007
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Matt Rogers
[360 Precision]
Posts: 149
Location: Oxford UK, United Kingdom
Registered: 16 Jun 2005
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 10:34 GMT
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As good as can be expected from that lens. I've watched hundreds of people view panoramas and I can't ever remember seeing anyone initially rotating the panorama counter clockwise. Is there any reason the auto-rotation is set to go this way ?
Matt
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stalwart
Posts: 55
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 20 Dec 2007
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 10:43 GMT
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Hi Paul
Thanks for the info - pretty much expected the same answer based on the pan-tilt mount. BTW - nice website, and nice stock marketing pics from Elevated Photos (!)
Stu
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stalwart
Posts: 55
Location: United Kingdom
Registered: 20 Dec 2007
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marcus newey
Posts: 106
Location: somerset, United Kingdom
Registered: 23 Oct 2005
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 11:22 GMT
updated: 7 May 2008 at 11:31 GMT
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I've shot a 360 on my 10m mast. I used a Nikon d200 with 10.5mm fisheye. Mounted the camera in portrait on a NodalNinja2 with slight [~5deg] downward tilt. This was fitted to a hague pan and tilt head on top of the mast. I did a few tests and timed the rotation of the head. shot a frame , rotated the head for 'x' seconds, shot another frame. Divided the 360 into 7 instead of the ususal 6 to give more overlap / tolerance.
Came out pretty good:
www.threesixtyvr.co.uk/tours/manorstables
I could have cloned out the stand and nadir completely but chose to put a cap in instead. Edit: If I'd set up more on the lawn and not so close to the fence getting rid of the stand etc would have been much easier.
I also shot a separate zenith from the ground just before raising the mast.
If you can use a pan head to eliminate parallax errors then stitching will obviously be easier
I have also used a canon G5 on the mast but not for a panorama
PS I also used the guys to keep the mast as stable as possable, even thoughthere was little wind.
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badders
Posts: 30
Location: East Kilbride, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Dec 2007
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 11:49 GMT
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Matt Rogers said: Is there any reason the auto-rotation is set to go this way ?
Matt
I'm left handed....
Andy Baddeley
www.360tacticalvr.co.uk
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 598
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 12:03 GMT
updated: 7 May 2008 at 12:09 GMT
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I am not left handed
www.panoramas.dk/2008/flash/venice-F.html
The way I pan a pano depends on the subject. If the default view has a crowd of people in the left side i would initially pan left. If the interesting view looks like being to right I pan right.
I never use autopanning on QTVR but the fact is that CubicConnector selects pan left if you just book the autopanning selection.
Hans
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badders
Posts: 30
Location: East Kilbride, United Kingdom
Registered: 5 Dec 2007
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Re: Anyone with experience of using Canon Powershot on a mast?
Posted: 7 May 2008 at 12:07 GMT
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Hans Nyberg said: I am not left handed
But I think secretly you wish you were...
Andy Baddeley
www.360tacticalvr.co.uk
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