Equipment Suggestions
Recently purchased the Nikon D200 w/ 18-70mm lens. Should recieve Sigma 8mm lens within a
couple of days with Nikon 10.5mm on order ( Anyone know of a store with one in-stock? ).
I have the Kaidan QuickPan IV System but it's a pain to reset after breaking-it-down for
transport. I like the idea of a 3-shot solution with the Agnos MrotatorCP for SIGMA 8mm
($374), I like the portability and accuracy of the 360 Precision Absolute ($1034) or
versatilty with the 360 Precision Adjuste ($1095) which can use both lenses.
Plan to use 8mm indoors and 10.5mm outdoors to create Virtual Tours and HDR Images.
Software : XP Pro, Photoshop CS2, Capture NX, and have used Stitcher 5.0 (Educational),
but now that I'm ready to purchase a commercial edition, I wonder if PTGUI would be all I
need. Also debating between 3D Vista Real Estate and VRbrochure FX Pro for displaying
virtual tours. I'm not really a web designer, so I like the template options in both but
only VR FX has Flash output at the moment. I've heard rumors of a soon-to-be-released
version of RE with Flash.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Hey Patrick,
When is our next meeting?
I decided to get the Absolute, since I'm running out of room in my camera bag.
This has lead to a new decision to make...a good tripod. Mine is a twelve year
old Velbon that weighs about ten pounds. I looking at the GT2530 Gitzo Series 2,
Mountaineer Reporter but having a hard time spending $500 for a tripod, has it
just been so long since I purchased one that I must now pay the piper? At least
it has a lifetime warranty.
I was also wondering if anyone has ever (while doing virtual tour shoot) been
asked to also shoot portrait or family shots (for extra fee..of course)? I was
thinking of extra gear to have in the bag, just in case...
PEACE
Devlin
Re: Equipment Suggestions
I'm 100% with Patrick, including (and especially) what he said regarding 360 Absolute (I use it with d200 and 10,5mm lens).
Before buying 360 Ajuste, I would consider this option: http://www.kaidan.com/Detail.bok?no=160
Good Luck!
Ricardo - USVP
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Hi Devlin,
I use the Adjuste with D200/10.5 set up and can tell you the ADJUSTE recently had the "Registration Plate" added (This had a locking pin that keeps the camera locked so your Horizon does not move on your panos) It is a huge help and makes precise shooting a breeze just like the absolute. I chose the Adjuste because at this price i want to be able to use any camera with out having to upgrade arms...either way the Precision heads are awesome.....great choice !
Dennis M. Carbo
Re: Equipment Suggestions
I been shooting virtual tours for a Nor-Cal VT company which requires I use my SB-800 flash unit (plan to get 2nd unit for X-mas). I'm glad that I picked the Absolute because of the higher weight compatibility, but would have enjoyed the smaller footprint of the Adjuste.
Anyone have any suggestions for re-chargeable AA batteries?
Thanks, Devlin
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Hi Devlin,
I use SB800 with 5 Sony rechargeable AA 2700mAh batteries. I recharge my batteries with Sony CycleEnergy Battery Charger (BCG-34HRMF).
I can take hundreds shots before recharge, but I allways bring 10 charged batteries in my bag.
Ricardo - USVP
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Thanks Ricardo,
Does that mean you use the extra battery attachment? I haven't tried using it yet, does it make a big difference? I just had a situation where the batteries in my bag were dead (I only had one extra set) and will now carry extra extras.
Devlin
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Devlin
I forgot to charge the batteries overnight too many times, so I just started taking the charger with me to each home and setting it up to charge the spare batteries before assembling the tripod, rotator & camera.
The batteries for the Coolpixes will go from dead to full charge in less time than it takes to shoot a 4 scene real estate tour.
Douglas Aurand
Albuquerque, NM
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Has anyone had any experiences with Duracell CEF90NC 30 Minute Charger or Energizer 15-Minute Battery Charger vs. say Sony's BCG-34HE4 Super-Quick Worldwide Battery Charger which takes 4 hours to recharge. I like the thought of quick recharges but do not want to put super hot batteries into my flash either. With the price difference only about $10, I could use help deciding.
Thanks, Devlin
Re: Equipment Suggestions
In general the faster you charge a battery the less time the charge lasts
When i was serving my apprenticeship i was always taught, think of charging batteries as filling a bucket with water, you can use a fireman's hose, which fills it in seconds, but will splash everywhere and once you turn off the power only half the bucket is full.
Or you can trickle charge it over night, and when you turn off the power, it is full to the rim, but takes much longer to fill up.
Many high end chargers have auto power settings, so they will boost it for a few mins in case you need it quick, then steps down a level and charges slower and so on. So the longer you leave it the longer it lasts.
Of course what i just explained isn't precisely the way it works, but close enough for most people to visualize and understand.
Regards
Ian
www.NewWorldDesigns.co.uk
CMS Systems, Web Design, 3D Animation
www.QuickTimeVirtualReality.com
Object, Pano, Multinode, QTVR, Flash, Java
Re: Equipment Suggestions
i'm using a Gitzo 1258 LVL tripod, (Gitzo GT-2540LVL is the current equiv model - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475941-REG/Gitzo_GT2540LVL_GT2540L... )
the built in leveling column is perfect for pano's, no more need for a seperate leveling platform in between the tripod & pano head, definitely a must-have feature in my eyes -
i've been using a kaidan QP IV spherical head, a sharp white grease pencil marking the arm positions + kirk photo QR plate allows for good repeatability, but i am hearing good things about the nodal ninja with nikon D200 + nikkor 10.5 fisheye, nodal ninja weighs only .5 kilo, vs + 2 kilos for the kaidan QP 4, + 3 kilos for the QP Pro, and costs $200 vs + $1000 for the 360precision adjuste - whether it produces acceptable (to me) results vs my kaidan remains to be seen...
the current realviz stitcher (5.5.4) does a great job on the 10.5 fisheye images without prior defishing, never tried PTGUI
sam
- - - - - -
Sam Rohn :: Location Scout :: New York City :: http://www.nylocations.com/
Re: Equipment Suggestions
At the beginning of this post, i noticed the mention of VRbrochure FX. I purchased it and found after becoming quite proficient with it, that it is cumbersome and won't render flash slideshows unless the images are named in order.
Just an FYI. Now i have put together web page templates which i can modify for a client as required.
Jake
Re: Equipment Suggestions
Hi Devlin!
Wat, is everyone on holiday or something? I see posts languishing out here... :P
Your post sounds a bit like you're answering your own questions a little bit...? Far be it from me to tell you where to spend your money, but:
I've had great success this year using PTGui. It has its quirks like any other software, but the support is good and there's an active forum and user base.
I'm not familiar with the other software/template options you mention, but imagine other folks here might have an opinion.
I use the 360P "Absolute" (I prefer to think of it as "Classic") with my 5D/15mm, and it's rock solid and easy to use. If the Adjuste is similarly made, it'd be a good head to own. That said, the less expensive Agnos might do you just as good -- if possible, try before you buy. If you shoot a lot of 3-shot panos, maybe the Agnos would pay for itself quickly and you could subsidize a more flexible option with it.
At any rate, I still use my Kaidan spherical head when shooting with lenses other than my 15mm, and it does fine; I keep a list of the settings for different camera bodies/lenses in my gear bag, and also a sharp pencil to remark lines on the head itself. Not perfect, but then I'm not expecting the 100% accuracy of the 360P -- and my pencil marks are dialed in pretty close. :) My Kaidan head's about 5 years old, so it may be time to look for an upgrade.
Cheers,
Patrick Cheatham
--
CheathamLane | spinControl:VR
Berkeley, California
VR Photography
Web, Flash & QuickTime Development