0 - 360 LENS

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I never thought about bringing this up before. I use this lens at work as part of an emergency management project. I have been using it for about three years now. Here is a link to the site: One-Shot Virtual Tours, 360 degree panoramas! Amazing Virtual Tour lens.

This is a lens that is used for 360 degree virtual tours. I remember doing it the hard way with 12 to 15 shots [FONT='Trebuchet MS','sans-serif']stitched[/FONT] together. If you would like to see a sample I did for a local developer, here is another link. I didn't use HDR in this one, but it does work well with this lens. Russell Holmes Photography, Inc. Virtual Tour

I don't use this with my DSLR though. I use it with a P & S Canon G6. The main reason it the swivel LCD Screen. As the camera points directly at the ceiling or sky, you have to crawl under the tripod to see what you are shooting if you don't have the swivel LCD.

Just thought some of you may be interested.

[Rense]

Originally Posted by FocusingOnFlorida

The main reason it the swivel LCD Screen. As the camera points directly at the ceiling or sky, you have to crawl under the tripod to see what you are shooting if you don't have the swivel LCD.

I'm confused: you need a Swivel LCD to see the sky/ceiling?

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Originally Posted by Rense

I'm confused: you need a Swivel LCD to see the sky/ceiling?

No, the camera points straight up. Hold on. I will set it up and show you. Wait I can't. I lent the camera out and it won't be back til Tuesday. Let me think for a minute.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

OK, Here is an accidental shot of the setup. It is a tight crop from a mirror. If I didn't have the swivel LCD, I would need to crawl under the tripod and try to see through the view finder. I will post a photo of what the original photo comes out like.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Here is an image out of the camera. I have reduced the resolution for posting here. You see, You shoot toward the ceiling or sky and get a shot of the surrounding area.

[Rense]

ah, now I know what you mean: in the LCD you can see the total setup!

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Yes, the lens and camera are pointing up and the mirrored lens will enable the camera to capture up to 115 degree vertical view and a 360 degree horizontal view in one photo. It really is a time saver for this type of photography.

I started with and older camera and had to crawl under the camera for each shot. It was still difficult to see if the photo was in focus. I have since come up with a work flow so that 100 percent of the photos are in focus. The HDR was just another way to get more out of the photo.