Fisheye vs one-shot. What system works better?

The kind of info needed is

What cameras have you got now
What lenses have you got now
Are you looking for quick turn around
Is the end result going to be used for print or just web
Have you any software now you prefer

Ian

www.NewWorldDesigns.co.uk
CMS Systems, Web Design, 3D Animation
www.QuickTimeVirtualReality.com
Object, Pano, Multinode, QTVR, Flash, Java
www.bullettimephotography.com
Fashion, Vehicles, Product Photography, and much more

Hi Ian,

could I maybe take this question over a bit in another way

I want to start doing panoramas initially in the basic real estate environment, so 'quick and fit for
purpose' type (panoramas not used much by estate agents here in Ireland at present but hoping to
get a few interested) I want to combine that with doing good quality stills and better quality
panoramas for larger houses and premises at the higher end of the market. I also want possibly do
landscape panoramas for sale in print format. From what I gather thereis not likely a 'one size
fits all' solution. Am I right in thinking that or am I going down the right lines?

therefore I am looking at a Coolpix P5100 plus a Kaiden 360 single shot lens for the first level. I am
also upgrading to a D200 (from a Fuji bridge DLSR) and combining it a Sigma 10-20mm. Other lenses to be
added for my general photography.

I guess my questions then are
the 360 can use photowarp to convert the images?
the D200 will need a panoramic head what issues/recommendations?
what is best stitching s/w to use - I would like to try and offer the floor plans and
walkthroughs for high end premises and provide full screen views if possible?
how steep is the learning path likely to be with the s/w packages (once I master the 'nodal point'issue)?

I'm sure there is lots I am missing and will need plenty of practise but any help is appreciated. I have been
scanning the forums and various website but there seems to be good direct assistance here,

thanks
David

David
The two cameras you mentioned offer two interesting choices

For the Nikon Coolpix P5100, there's a kit that includes a Nikon FC-E8 183­° fisheye lens and a rotator specifically for that camera/lens combination. (No nodal point adjustment needed) Depending which version of the rotator you get, you can do 2 or 3 fisheye stitching.

With software like PTGui, RealViz Stitcher Unlimited DS, EasyPano Panoweaver or iPIX Interactive Studio you could get started with real estate virtual tours. These would be full 360° x 360° spherical images.

If you're already getting the Nikon D200, you could consider a Nodal Ninja rotator and either a Sigma 8mm which can produce fully spherical images from 4 shots around plus a zenith or Sigma 4.5mm lens which should be able to do 3 shots around plus a Zenith to do the same thing.

To stitch the Sigma lenses you'd need PTGui, RealViz Stitcher Unlimited or EasyPano Panoweaver.

I've been a real estate tour photographer for several years and I've always thought full spherical images were a superior product than the cylindrical images produced by one-shot systems.

Douglas Aurand
Albuquerque, NM

Thanks Doug. What about the sigma 10-20? seems to be mentioned abit in posts but presumably needs more shots. Have I missed the plot in not aiming to have as few shots as possible (down to two at least but avoid 1 shot?). Just for speed and the type of small general interiors around the suburbs I thought the single shot would be more suited.

Is there a rotator that will suit both cameras, doesn't look like it from pictures on websites due to the support for the fisheye. Maybe I'll go back to the 'Y'junction and have a rethink.

David

David
The Sigma 10-20mm is probably a lot like the Canon 10-22mm I have. Assuming it doesn't produce a curve at the edges, its probably great for wide-angle stills.

In the USA, real estate virtual tours are usually much lower priced than other work like hotels & resorts. The Realtors aren't willing to spend as much for something they're only going to use for 90 days to 6 months. A hotel may use a tour for 5 years (until the next major renovation)so they want higher quality. Keeping the amount of work down is dictated by the price you get paid.

For non-real estate virtual images to be used on the Internet, the Sigma 8mm has been the workhorse lens for a couple of years. For higher resolution, especially for large panoramic prints, the Nikkor 10.5mm is preferred (more shots needed but you get more pixels). Those 2 lenses domoinate higher quality virtual imaging.

The 2 or 3 fisheye capture method championed by iPIX, offers full 360°x 360°images from a lower priced set of equipment, but with a lower level of quality.

The competition in your area can have a lot to do with your choice in systems; one shot, 2-3 shot with the Coolpix P5100 or a dSLR. If your competitors are using one-shot sytems, you'll probably be in a price war if you offer the same.

Either full 360°x 360° option would make you the better quality product. If the competition is selling full 360°x 360° images, you'll be at a disadvantage with the one-shot type of image, but you could compete on price with the less work needed for a one-shot system.

If there is no competition you can probably use any one of the three.

So the answer to you question has more to do with what is going on in your area than the actual equipment.

Douglas Aurand
Albuquerque, NM

Thanks Doug. Equipment arrived today so I'll have a play around for a few days & see. have to seek out the rotators.