Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
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Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 at 16:39 GMT
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Greetings All,
I have been reading posts for some time now and I am ready to jump in.
I work for a home builder and we would like to create virtual tours for rooms in some of the homes we built. Here is what I have:
Nikon D5100
Nodal Ninja 3
Pano 2 VR
Tripod
What I want to get is a good fish eye lens (sigma?) so I only need to take a few pictures. Also, the best stitching software (ptgui?).
I am not looking for ceiling and floor shots just simple horizontal motion.
User friendly is also helpful in case I need to have another employee put the pictures together.
So, where do I go from here, Lens? Software?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Frank
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hindenhaag
Posts: 729
Location: Netherlands
Registered: 7 Mar 2010
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 at 17:29 GMT
updated: 15 Sep 2011 at 17:34 GMT
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Hi Franklin,
I would go for Nikkor 10.5 for best possible optical quality. Similar price to Sigma 8/f3.5. Takes 2 more shots around - 6/4 - than Sigma, but this is done on the fly on NN3 and in rooms without bracketing and moving people, cars, etc.
For Stitching software my favorite as for most of us is PTGuiPro. Take Pro version to get masking function etc. www.PTGui.com You can download a trial.
Pano2VR is The Add On for PTGuiPro.
If you have some time I'll send a set of pics D5100 10.5, Sigma 8mm/f3.5, Samyang 8mm/f3.5 begin next week if you like.
You need a, for the best wireless, remote control.
I use this one:
www.hahnel.ie/index.cfm?page=dslrremotecontrols&i...
Fits for D5100 as well though it is not mentioned. I tested it. There are others as well, check Phottix, but you always have to check if the remote stops with the bracketing set and does not go on shooting.
If you like, tell me what lens you have chosen for, I'll send the settings for NN3 and links how to test them with your own equipment.
Feel free to ask,
Heinz
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mediavets
Posts: 1980
Location: Isleham, Cambs., United Kingdom
Registered: 8 Feb 2008
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 at 18:42 GMT
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Franklin Jackson said: So, where do I go from here, Lens? Software?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Frank
You can't really go wrong with the Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye for real estate interiors. The alternative is probably the Sigma 8mm f3.5.
I use Autopano Giga for stitching and Panotour Pro for creating tours, both from Kolor:
www.kolor.com/
Andrew
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
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Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
Location:
Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 at 18:45 GMT
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Andrew,
Thank you for the message. I was set on PTGui, but I will take a look at Autopano Giga right away.
Thank you,
Franklin
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Trausti - FFC
Posts: 57
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Registered: 20 Aug 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 15 Sep 2011 at 20:24 GMT
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The world's most complete panorama creation software is of course FFC+FPP, providing you with the ability to make some of the best panorama creations ever done, without any hand-coding:
flashificator.com
For stitching... nothing beats PTgui.
Trausti
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sou-kei-ka
Posts: 1
Location: shanghai, China
Registered: 21 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 21 Sep 2011 at 9:49 GMT
updated: 21 Sep 2011 at 9:51 GMT
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About the camera ,I can advise you nothing .But about the soft,I advice Easypano's.I'm using its Panoweaver7.4 and Tourweaver6.5,I think they can give anything I want to get about panorama.
www.easypano.com/jp
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
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Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 21 Sep 2011 at 14:07 GMT
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Thank you all so much for the help. I have decided to buy the Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye (as soon as I get the money approved for it). I am holding on the software since there seem to be a number of recommendations.
Does anyone have some samples of a Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye with a D5100 or any Nikon camera for that matter?
I really want to test how each software would work out with the proposed setup.
Thank you all again.
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Tactus 360
Posts: 1245
Location: Tynset, Norway
Registered: 2 Sep 2010
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 21 Sep 2011 at 15:04 GMT
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The 10,5 mm Nikkor is an excellent choice. All the 360 images on tactus360.com/examples.html were taken with that in combination with either a D200 or a D300s.
The only drawback, which you might not encounter away from a Nikon setup, is the slight over saturation, which often needs correcting. I use DXO to take care of that.
Jon
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Hans Nyberg
Posts: 2791
Location: Denmark
Registered: 28 Aug 2005
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
Location:
Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 27 Sep 2011 at 14:57 GMT
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Greetings all.
Thank you for all your help. I finally pulled the trigger and the Nikkor 10.5 is headed my way. So with that here is my setup:
Nikon 5100
Nikkor 10.5 Fisheye
Nodal Ninja 3
Tripod
Pano2VR
I still need to get a wireless remote and software. I am thinking I am going to start a thread specific to the software since there is much debate.
I will post again once I have my software in hand.
Thank you all again very much.
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
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Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 15:57 GMT
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Greetings All.
I finally purchased PTGui Pro. So far my tests have gone well. Two items I would love some help on.
1. Is there a general recommended manual camera setting for taking in home panorama / vr pictures? If I have to give the camera (Nikon 5100) to another person in the office, I would love to have the settings all setup ahead of time.
2. Are there any templates / setups available for PTGui for my 5100 with the 10.5 Nikkor?
3. Anything I can do regarding blank walls? In some of my tests I have had issues when dealing with large blank walls. Anyone have some recommended techniques / tips for getting blank wall images to merge properly?
Thank you all so much for all the help. I anticipate I am very close to my goal.
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hindenhaag
Posts: 729
Location: Netherlands
Registered: 7 Mar 2010
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 18:05 GMT
updated: 10 Jan 2012 at 18:08 GMT
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Franklin,
1. You have to set WB, Aperture - prefered F8, F11, Focus, and Shutter speed to manual.
You can only make a choice for shutter speed when you are on location. You can not pre set it. You have to teach the person to do it who is using the camera. Similar with WB.
2. I will try to make one for you next week. I do not think there is one already.
3. You have to stick some post.it stickers or something similar on the white wall spread nicely in horizontal and vertical. That will help you.
www.panoguide.com/forums/qna/7858/
Nice to get to know you are close to it.
Regards,
Heinz
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
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Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 11 Jan 2012 at 19:49 GMT
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Greetings Heinz.
Thank you for the message.
If you can send me a template that would be fantastic. Thank you very much.
I am going to experiment with the post-it notes method.
Thank you again.
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Franklin Jackson
Posts: 11
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Registered: 15 Sep 2011
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Re: Newbie just starting out. Which Lens? Which Software? Tours
Posted: 24 Jan 2012 at 16:24 GMT
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Greetings Heinz,
Thanks so much for all your help. Was just checking in with you to see if you happened to have a template for the 5100?
I greatly appreciate all the help.
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