Panorama eXtraLarge

Kodak: End-of-Life'd

2012-01-27T18:53:00.002+08:00

I cant believe that one of the most traditional or historical photography equipment and film companies (Kodak on Wikipedia) is going down the drain (link) and filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The company made photography accesible to the masses in the early years and introduced or invented a couple of fantastic things. To name a few:

1900: The Brownie Camera
1935: Kodachrome
1963: Instamatic Camera
1975: The digital camera (Engineer Steven Sasson)
1986: First Megapixel Sensor

More than a few time Kodak missed the train with their products and the competitors happily overtook.

They just announced the Kodak Polaroid SC1630: A camera based on Android, something I was waiting for. Instead of having a phone with an inferior camera build-in, we would have a (bit) more serious camera based on Android, allowing to use all kind of camera applications, almost unlimited possibilities, not being restricted by a manufacturer's firmware updates.

Let's see who gonna grab the leftovers and patents...

Canon Angle View Finder

2012-01-16T19:02:00.000+08:00

Quite a few times I wished I had screen to tilt or an angle finder for the Canon 5D MKII, but I am not willing to spend 200 U$ on an accessory that I will use only once in the blue moon. Luckily there is some cheap alternative from Seagull, a Chinese company selling a variety of photo equipment (inclusive of a range of large format cameras!). You find the angle view finder with a range of adapters for Canon, Nikon, Sony,.. cameras on ebay for about 50U$. There are different models for 2 to 3x magnification, you can switch from 1x to an alternative magnification factor with a mechanical switch, useful to check focus.

My first impression:

It works.
The adapter is a bit flimsy, you cant easily slide in and out the view finder.
If you dont use an angle view finder permanently you can work with this one.

The items in the box

On a Canon 5D MK II

I dont know about any shop in Singapore selling it off the shelf.

Canon TS-E 17mm shift and tilt lens

2012-01-16T12:00:00.000+08:00

I fancied TS lenses for a long time, even bought a 4x5 to experiment some years back, but thats not exactly the kind of camera you carry around with 2 to 6 exposures. Yes, we can use Photoshop and tilt and warp images, fake miniature scenes, etc. but is not the same as using a TS lens. There are only few in the market and they are all expensive (though you can try a shift adapter for MF lenses on Canon or Nikon DSLR). Finally I got one from DDElectronics in Singapore (almost 400 SGD cheaper than other shops in town !), and just start to enjoy this new lens and learn to create images again in a completely new way. I spare you with technical details, as the web has quite a number of reports, tests and comparisons about this:

I highly recommend to read Peter Hills' introduction about tilt and shift here:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/peterh111/journal/5713153-an-introduction-to-tilt-shift-photography

Drop by the TS-E 17mm Flickr group with plenty of real-life sample images:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canontse17mmf4l/

My first personal impression:

Its a fantastic lens, a prime lens worth every cent.
Crisp sharp.
You can shoot handheld, its a myth a shift lens always requires a tripod and a big screen.
Lot of glass without protection, you will take care of this lens !

A quick comparison to get an idea what it means to shift:

Shifted 10mm, camera leveled
Not shifted but camera tilted up to capture rooftops
Not shifted but camera leveled

Stitching Software 2012

2012-01-15T17:43:00.000+08:00

Some 1.5 years back I visited last time this topic. What are the current stitching software products in the market ?

There is not much movement in terms of new players (rather some disappearing), but the leading (2) existing companies keep their software updated and it is fantastic to see how much they still can improve (at least that ones I use).

From my point of view the important ones remain in 2012:

PTGUI (curr. Version 9.1.2)
Autopano by Kolor (curr. Version 2.6)
Hugin (active opensource project, stable version 2011.4.0 from December 2011)
Microsoft ICE (curr. Version 1.4.4 May 2011)
I am not sure about their strategy, the tool is free as part of their research but the proprietary display software like HDView and Photosynth is based on Silverlight which is shelved by Microsoft for further development)

Others:

Photoshop Panorama Merge Feature
Panorama Factory (Jan 2011, ?)
Easypano (still selling at a unreasonable high price, no further comment)
Realviz (acquired by Autodesk, also expensive)
iSeemMedia (?)
Panavue (?)
Some OEM software bundled with cameras
A list of panoramic software apps for iPhone and Android
(Personally I dont believe in phones making serious panoramic images)

Sideline: Seems, since the history of patent wars (creation of fisheye based panoramas) around IPIX (defunc since 2006) is closed, even the patent is owned by Sony now.

My recommendation: Stick to Hugin and ICE if you want to use something for free, otherwise PTGui and Autopano are great products at a reasonable price, up to you to decide which one you prefer, both offer trial versions.

Gigapan: View from Pinnacles @ Duxton 2

2012-01-15T16:24:00.000+08:00

Another viewpoint.

Gigapan: View from Pinnacles @ Duxton

2012-01-11T19:02:00.004+08:00

Gigapan: Pearl Bank Apartments

2012-01-10T19:02:00.001+08:00

Seen from Pinnacle@Duxton rooftop garden.

Thoughts on Photo Communities

2012-01-09T15:21:00.000+08:00

Photo Communities (flickr, 500px, smugmug,.. just to name a few from 1000's in the web) are always a good way to find inspiration, ideas and exchange with other photographers experiences. I saw dozens of this portals coming and going over the years and the broad market is dominated by a few big ones, the rest are all kind of special and small communities (certain camera brand or topics).

What almost all communities have in common is the noise-factor, it is incredible high. I am not talking about bad images, anyone learning and picking up photographic skills should post his work to get feedback. I am talking about the comments !

Of course, everyone is happy about positive feedback or gets his work praised, but either photographers get dozens of one-liner comments ('perfect, well done, super, great') or NO feedback at all. Just drop by popular images in Flickr and you know what I mean. How can anyone learn or advance in his knowledge and style ? We (human) don't like to be criticized and also are shy or hesitant to tell someone that we dont like his image of (better) how to improve it or maybe just some feedback which is more than "Awesome".

That what I like on 500px.com, you can click the LIKE button and if you don't have anything useful to say, don't do it !

Something that disturbs me at large on Flickr are the groups for 'masterpieces', the comment section of some images are filled up with invitations to join or submit the image to this and that master group (on invitation only).

Gigapan: Construction Site

2011-12-29T16:01:00.001+08:00

When I created panoramas previously I usually dont exceed 100 MegaPixel because it is good enough for (very) large prints and I rather have a perfect 100 MP version without seams and changing light conditions than a 1GPixel version with all these faults. Until some time back my hardware was also limited and large stitches were not an option. Now any decent desktop PC can easily be equipped with 12 to 16GB RAM and with a Windows or Ubuntu 64 bit version on a recent CPU, you get fast rendering times.

I just made a 550 MPixel (or 0.55 GigaPixel) created from 60 images shot with Canon 5D MK II and 7-200 L IS.

Gigapan: Maximilian Strasse Speyer

2011-05-06T21:41:00.002+08:00

VR Maximilianstrasse Speyer

2011-05-02T14:44:00.004+08:00

Maximilianstrasse Speyer in Germany

VR Wachenheim

2011-05-02T14:37:00.001+08:00

Some more VR's that were sitting unstitched on the shelf. More views from my hometown.

Wachtenburg Wachenheim in Germany

View over Wachenheim Weinstrasse in Germany

Gigapan: Fremantle Harbor

2011-04-23T11:41:00.002+08:00

Lightweight Shooting

2011-04-23T11:37:00.001+08:00

Being on a trip with a car in Australia or New Zealand, I dont mind carrying along heavy lenses like the Canon L 100-400, whatever I dont use I can keep in the boot. But sometimes on walk-abouts I prefer to carry less. I decided to go for 2 more prime lenses. The 50/1.4 and the 100/2, despite not being L lenses they are lightweight, very sharp and worth the "little" (as compared to L lenses) money. Both match very nice with the 5D II.

I can recommend Ken Rockwells reviews:

Performance Observations Stitching Applications

2010-08-24T23:47:00.001+08:00

It does not make much sense to qualify stitching applications by their speed. !! But for the fun of it I compared the render time for 1 project in Autopano Pro and PTGui (both in Windows XP and Ubuntu 10.04 on the same hardware, Core 2 Duo 8300 @ 2,4Ghz).

Source Images:
12 images (Panasonic MDC FZ28, F5, 1/800s, 9.8mm)

Autopano Pro in Ubuntu (native): 3'34
Autopano Pro in Windows (native): 5'09

PTGUI in Ubuntu (Wine): 2'25
PTGUI in Windows (native): 3'05

Result file: ~14.5 MB JPG , ~15659 x 3925

Remarks:

All default settings used.
I also tested a virtual Windows XP in Virtualbox for Ubuntu, but the timing were much longer (using only 1 virtual CPU).
The test above are in no way a re objective reference or whatsoever. It wont give you any advice what product is better based on timings.Is merely showing you you get more performance with Linux ! Most important is stitching quality and ease of use !
When using batch stitching it does not matter if it takes 10 or 12 minutes (or any other time) because you can leave it running over night(s).
For serious large gigapixel projects you need to operate in different scales. To stitch 100's of images in one project you need lots of memory and CPU horsepower if you want to render in reasonable amount of time.

Gigapan: Wachtenburg Wachenheim

2010-08-24T03:39:00.002+08:00

(32 images at 200mm, 5D II, L IS 70-200, NN5)

OEM Panorama Software

2010-08-22T21:30:00.002+08:00

The RAW processing application DPP (Digital Photo Professional) is a pretty good tool to work with your images. It is "free", as it comes bundled with the camera, and can even handle the specific characteristics of Canon lenses. Unfortunately it only works with Windows (and dont run properly with WINE under Linux).

But what I dont get is why Canon still bothers to add the application PhotoStitch !? The software is outdated and can handle only perfect flat images and fails the smallest challenge. It rather turn new photographers away from panorama photography. Canon should have done a OEM deal with some of the serious panorama applications, similar to the Photoshop Light Version that you found earlier bundled with scanners and cameras.

11 images aligned.

Stitching error (ghost problem)

Essential Links for Canon (5D) Cameras and Lenses

2010-08-22T20:57:00.003+08:00

Equipment Update

2010-08-22T03:28:00.001+08:00

Decided to send my Canon 1Ds into retirement. I bought it end 2002, shortly after it was launched and the 11MP was a big deal at that time (with a lot of consumer cameras hovering around 3MP) ! Why not 1 Ds III or a 1Ds IV (going to be launched at Photokina) ? I am not going to spend another fortune which could buy me easily a second hand car. And I found a good alternative, the 5D MK II ! Fullframe is a must, so this is the choice when you want to stay in budget. Btw, no 5D III to be released before next year ! The 1Ds served me well accompanying me to a lot of countries and never failed, except the third-party batteries that collapse now after 2 shots.

It is just amazing to compare the specs and results of 2 Canon cameras being apart 3 generations.

Why not stick completely to the Mamiya ZD (which also runs at 21MP) ?

The Mamiya is an awesome camera together with its wonderful lenses, but the camera can only create stunning results if you use it with a tripod (in my opinion). I still use it, but the 5D is lighter and I have a range of L lenses that are much easier to carry around. The ZD is not for hiking and does not have IS.

VR Marktplatz Neustadt

2010-08-22T00:07:00.006+08:00

Marktplatz Neustadt in Germany

Gigapan: Stadthaus Speyer

2010-08-21T21:53:00.006+08:00

After a while some new highres images and panoramas. Hosted on www.gigapan.org

On Stitching Software

2010-08-18T14:29:00.002+08:00

Over the years I tried to optimize my workflow of creating virtual tour spots from fisheye images as well large regular panoramic views using stitching and graphics editing software.

Photoshop is my choice to finetune all panoramic works in terms of color temperature, brightness, contrast, and patching. I use PANO2VR to create flash files and do conversion between various formats.

But what is about stitching software ? I use 3 of them (PTGUI, Autopano, MS ICE). Why this ?

With some panorama images I get different results (mostly in the default mode), while sometimes PTGUI can immediately work out a good result with the source images, Autopano cannot handle it and vice versa.


Sample: PTGUI works

Sample: Autpano fails

I guess the algorithm behind the 2 applications are different.

Remarks:

ICE is only suitable for regular (non-fisheye) images. Occasionally its default panorama detection works better.
I tried to migrate completely to Linux (Ubuntu) to enjoy the flexibility and speed of Linux systems. While Pano2VR and Autopano have dedicated Linux versions, Photoshop and PTGui dont. You can run PTGui with WINE (a Windows emulator for applications), but to get Photoshop running with WINE requires more experimenting and might not 100% work.
I also tried to migrate to GIMP, but after working for 15 years with Photoshop (it is around since 1990 with version 1.0) it is hard to re-adjust. It is free to use and it comes with its features close to Photoshop and certainly will satisfy your standard postprocessing needs.

Updates:

2010-08-22:
Check this blog for CS5 with WINE.
MS ICE does not work with WINE 1.3 and Mono.net 2.6.7

Medium Format D goes Panorama

2010-08-16T01:28:00.001+08:00

If you want to mount a medium format camera on a panoramic head, you better have some serious kit that can support weights beyond 2kg. The Nodalninja has no problem to carry my Mamiya ZD plus 105-200 or 24mm lens (which adds up to 3kg). Here some images of this setup. The tripod looks a bit flimsy but it stands like a rock (and it has a reasonable weight) and you dont need to remind me of the dangling shoulder strap which adds to blur !

Mamiya ZD on a Gitzo fibre carbon tripod with NN5

+ 105-210mm lens

+24mm lens

Joined 360Cities

2010-08-15T17:28:00.002+08:00

A great platform with VR's from all over the world. A big community that build up a huge collection of virtual spots that can be explored with Google Earth and Maps. The project run by Jeffrey Martin is already on the road for a couple of years, but really took off lately.

Drop by www.360cities.net for a virtual world trip !

Panorama Gear 2010

2010-08-05T13:53:00.002+08:00

Some panoramas can be shot handheld (usually few images) or using a monopod with bubble level (4 images for 360x180) or using a regular panorama head on a tripod. I was using a Manfrotto VR Head for many years, before I changed this year to a Nodalninja 5.

Main reasons:

Weight and size
The Nodal Ninja is 4 times lighter and can be transported in a small pouch.
Supporting cameras
I use it with the 1Ds and long lenses and a Mamiya ZD, which are impossible to support in portrait mount on the old Manfrotto.
Accuracy
The Nodal Ninja just nicely clicks into position for a fast and reproducible shooting process.
Price
Get the head at their online shop for 499.- U$ with the D16 rotator.

Whats in the box ?

RAW files revisited

2010-08-05T10:34:00.001+08:00

Having a few hundred gigabytes of raw files sitting on various external drives and backup media, nicely organized, made me re-visit some of the RAW files from the last 5 years. Either I never worked with the material or with today's tool you just can much better results.

I just ordered the PANOBOOK 2010 from Autopano and decided to submit some images for the 2011 project.

Shwedagon Pagoda

The Docks

Microsoft ICE

2010-08-04T14:43:00.000+08:00

I played with some 2 years back and I am a bit surprised it is still around, got more functions and it is still free to use. You can download it from
Of course, it is nicely embedded into the Microsoft landscape, it will work only on Windows and requires Silverlight and Photosynth if you want to publish the panorama on PhotoSynth. But you are still free to create panoramas and just save it to your harddisk.

Download it
Install and use it (simple workflow)
Optional download PhotoSynth and publish it

Remarks:

I usually dont like solutions that lock you to a specific framework or product, but ICE is a nice simple application with enough functionality for beginners and it allows to save you work as a separate file.
I dont know why the upload function forces you to upload the un-cropped panorama.

Test Result online:

Software and CPU Evolution (Part 2)

2010-08-04T11:07:00.001+08:00

I digged out a panorama from Zurich in 2001 (earlier blog post). I remember well using Panorama Factory to stitch the 11 images (1600x1200 px, 1.9MP) and it took me more than 1 hour manually adjust the control points to get a OK result (plus a 30min stitching time). Today I took the same images and processed it in Autopano Pro in 25 seconds (incl. of opening the application, images, stitching and saving the panorama).

Stitched 2001

Stitched 2010

Conclusion: We have great tools and crunching powerful CPU's that save valuable time. Lets go out and focus on shooting nice panoramas and dont race for the biggest Gigapixel image only !

Gigapixel Record Hunt

2010-08-04T10:34:00.000+08:00

2 years back there were only few images on gigapan.org with a serious "big" resolution, now with the production release EPIC devices more highres panoramas are out there.
A bit longer breathtaking new super records of high resolution images come up every now and then.

First there was Bryce Canyon National Park with 1.09 GP breaking the 1 GP barrier in 2003
Then came the Harlem 13 GP Project (2006)
Then Yosemite in 17 GP
Then Paris and Dresden followed with 26 GP
Dubai in 45 GP (April 2010)
and now Budapest in 70 GP !!!

Conclusion: We will see more of this kind coming up, and it is amazing at what detail level you can "zoom around" in these images. I recomend reading the technical background of the above projects, as you need serious project preparation, support (maybe some $$$) and serious CPU power. Guess I will stick to the "less-than-10 GP" department.

Remarks:

You find more gigapixel project if you research, some of them based on film (Gigapxl Project). Unfortunately some of the early projects are not online anymore.

Panorama Software advancing

2010-08-02T17:22:00.000+08:00

I remember back 10 years (more or less) with few software applications around to stitch images. That was before Photoshop learned stitching and the time IPIX was running behind Prof. Dersch and his famous Panorama Tools. You had good results only with perfectly setup nodal point on a tripod, not to think of a handheld panorama without sometimes spending hours adjusting control points.
Now, you just throw any overlapping imagery into the actual versions of the software and you get decent results. Just a sample here, a panorama I tried to stitched 3 years back (handheld 7 images, 24mm) and put it into the "forget-it" folder. I took it out again and fed Autopano Pro 2.0.9 with it.
See some details of the result (all auto, stitched in less than 10min) compared with the 2 years old "auto-mode" stitch (the red squares are the detail from the old version):

My Digital Panoramas 2010

2010-08-01T17:14:00.000+08:00

Fact 1: The market for panoramic prints is flat, you get average panoramic images everywhere and less customers are willing to pay a few hundred dollars for a large print (mounted or framed).
Fact 2: Same applies to virtual tours. I stick to existing customers but dont pursue actively new markets. It is not worth competing with 5$ per spot flatrate competition.

Conclusion: I do panoramic images for myself, continue to produce large prints for our house or anyone interested.

Plans: I just go through some unprocessed image material that accumulated over the last 2 years and finish some old projects. I have a Nodal-Ninja panorama-head that fits perfect to my Mamiya ZD to create outstanding resolution with few images. Guess I will restart posting here.

Digital Panorama 2010

2010-08-01T16:18:00.000+08:00

Cameras: Panoramic Photography becomes mainstream, or at least the technology. More cameras are on the market creating panoramic views on the fly. Sony offers the Panorama Sweep mode, that allows literally sweeping over a scene and the camera creates a panoramic view on the spot. The quality is amazing but still cannot compete with "traditionally" stitched images and the camera still stitches discrete images and does not resemble a vertical line scanner. I wont buy one, but stick to my old Kodak V705 for on-the-spot panorama experiments.

(Picture by SHAFT9 on flickr)
See this sample panorama (link) or just serach for "sony nex 5 panorama" on flickr (it shows quite obvious stitching errors.

The result: you see panoramic images more often now, but similar to the flood of images when digital photography conquered the world in shape of mobile phones, it is hard to find outstanding panoramas.

Software: Panorama Stitching software keeps on evolving and we have CPU power and software (PTGui, Autopano,..) that creates panoramic images in much shorter time, even of not so perfect raw images. I re-visit old projects that failed some 2..3 years back in automode of Autopano and now get decent results ! On the expert-end more super-highres panoramas are released. Look at the 26 GigaPixel image of Paris, made of 2346 individual images (Dont think you can shoot that handheld!)

Panobook 2009

2009-10-26T23:18:00.000+08:00

The coffetable book published by Kolor is a yearbook with digital (stitched) images from the AutoPano Pro user community. The book was released earlier this year (they are already working on the 2010 book), 365 images by 221 users from all over the world give enough interesting to browse for quite a while. A nice addition (for 27 Euro, free shipping) to my panorama library. You can order it from Kolor only (www.kolor.com).

On Panorama Software

2009-10-19T23:04:00.000+08:00

Todays' Stitching Software is more powerful than ever before. A very evolutionary process created some tools or features and performance that one would not have expected some years back.

My personal history of software I used over the years (in sequence):

Panoweaver (Windows and Mac, fisheye only)
Panoramafactory (Windows only, flat)
Autopano Pro 1.x (Windows)
PTMac (MAC only, similar to PTGui)
PTGui (Windows and Mac, only reason to stop using it is the missing Linux version)
Autopano Pro 2.0 (Windows, MAC, Linux)

I dont compare the applications with each other because I was using them at different times and each software had its feature(s) that made me using it for a longer period and there was a reason to move on (at that time, it might be different situation today though).

VR/Fisheye based work:
I stopped using Panoweaver and moved to PTMac because PW was not very flexible and only perfectly leveled fisheye shots would turn into a good VR and it was expensive to update to newer versions. I moved on to PTGui because most of my workflow was on Windows not on MAC.

Flat panoramas:
I started with Panoramafactory which was the first (Windows) stitching software I found, that allowed at least a half decent automatic control point creation. It failed with large panoramas (memory problem). I moved on to Autopano Pro because the stitching results were better without major control point cleanup. I started using PTGui because I eventually used it for VR work and it does a really great job, even for very handheld'ish and uneven shots. I still use it on Windows, but I use Autopano Pro now (again) because it runs on Linux (and I am migrating my complete workflow to Linux now).

Today:
I upgraded to Autopano Pro 2.0 (at a update price of 39.- Euro) and started it using the last few days. An amazing improvement of performance and quality since the last time I used 1.4. Thanks to the Autopano Team for creating a tool that runs under Linux. I will post some real life examples and results the new few days. I am currently feeding Autopano Pro with Mamiya ZD files (adding to huge panorama files).

Autopano Pro Website: www.autopano.net

Wachenheim Walkabout

2009-10-15T00:24:00.000+08:00

A visit home again opens the eyes for some unseen and ignored details, plus some "touristic" spots. I brought the Noblex to shoot some film panoramas, but the cold temperature scrambled the film roll while forwarding. So the LX3 worked as a backup, no problems with film.

Panorama on the fly

2009-08-20T10:37:00.000+08:00

The panorama feature is nothing new, lots of consumer camera have at least a panorama assistant or even a in-camera stitch feature, producing more or less good panoramas on the spot, most of the time at a rather low resolution due to the limited camera memory and processing power).
I didnt notice a complete new approach to this by Sony earlier this year (March 09). They released the DSC-HX1, the first camera with a panorama sweep mode, which means basically it creates a panoramic image while panning across a scene. Judge yourself with the review at dpreview.com which comes with details and sample panoramas. As usual I am tempted to play with it, but the price tag is too high for another gadget.

Spontaneous Walkabout

2009-07-20T19:13:00.000+08:00

Just quitting some meaningless seminar early today and I was right in the mood to shoot some pictures. Lucky enough the trusty LX3 is always around.

Update Summer 2009

2009-07-19T14:36:00.000+08:00

It has been a while since my last blog entry ! Didnt do much VR or large panoramas recently besides small commercial projects. The VR market is dead, with some folks offering one 1 VR spot for the price of 1 Mug of beer. I focus more on independent projects are just having fun. Will upload some of the backlog'd uncprocessed raw material soon.
My recent project with Whelock Properties in Singapore (link):

Panorama Photography Generation Y (Z?)

2009-02-15T09:48:00.000+08:00

Here we go.. Digital Panoramas are no longer a big deal. Even 7 year old kids can do it now with the help by Micorosofot..

GIGAPAN production release

2009-02-07T23:21:00.001+08:00

Have been a slow in producing panoramas lately and missed the fact that Gigapan Systems released their ex-prototype now as full production model with the name EPIC with only slight design changes (guessing from the look), also announced a EPIC 100 supposingly able to carry small DSLRS (D30 and others). Link to Gigapan Systems.

Picture copyright by Gigapan Systems

Aljunied Walkabout

2009-02-07T23:13:00.001+08:00

Nice to see that some areas are not cleaned up yet and reflect a bit the old at look-and-feel of Singapore shophouses. In times of recession the pace of modernization should reduce hopefully.Walking the streets of Geylang and Aljunied with the LX3 in dynamic BW mode. The Panasonic is my mainly used camera at the moment.

VR with Mamiya ZD

2009-01-04T12:55:00.000+08:00

A while ago I evaluated the user of the Mamiya ZD wich the 24mm lens (link) over the Canon 1Ds Sigma 8mm combo.

Facts 1Ds with Sigma 8mm:
3 or 4 images (4.062 x 2.704 pixel), fisheye
Resulting in a 5.000 x 2.500 equirectangular image.
Pro:
Full 360x180 degree coverage with 3 images.
Can be shot using monopod.
Con:
Lower resolution and image quality due to fisheye

Facts Mamiya ZD with ULD Sekor 24mm:
6 fullframe fishey images with 4.008 x 5.336 pixel each results

Resulting in a 16.500 x 5.200 equirectangular image.
Pro:
Crisp result, high resolution and quality image.
Con:
Requires shooting using tripod.
Does not cover zenith and nadir. Requires a sturdy panorama head with this gear, maybe Nodalninja 5, to shot up and down.

Sample: Stitched with PTGui 8.0.2 and converted to Flash with Pano2VR 2.2 beta4. Crop and Touchup Photoshop CS3.

Link to VR (flash based) version

Sydney 16:9 Walkabout (II)

2008-12-15T12:22:00.000+08:00

Part 2 of the bw walkabout. Some more verticals will follow.

Lunapark at night

2008-12-10T22:38:00.000+08:00

At the last night in Sydney we did one more outing to a rather touristic spot, Luna Park (Wikipedia link) at Milsons Point nearby the Harbor Bridge (Wikipedia link). I let the Mamyia ZD run versus the LX3 and challenged them with this blue hour/night condition. Here the results of the Panasonic Lumix LX3. Quite convincing results, little noise for this small camera at night, specifically the dynamic bw mode, which I hardly touched in PS. ZD results will follow.

Sydney 16:9 Walkabout

2008-12-01T19:05:00.000+08:00

Exploring the city centre of Sydney with the Panasonic LX3 and looking for my favorite subjects: Walls, old facades, decay, doors, signs.

Panoramic backlog

2008-11-25T09:51:00.000+08:00

I do regular harddisk housekeeping and backing up my files, both raw and processed, and always during these exercise I come across unprocessed or "unseen" images. So while copying some more images to the safe (?) DVD I stumble upon the handheld LX panos from September made in Neustadt (Germany). Yes, handheld panoramas are possible, even with wide angle lenses (in this case 24mm), it takes some practive and might not be perfect though. The buildings in the old town of Neustadt are not perfectly straight either, but the manual shooting increased slightly the obliqueness.
Just realized, this blog turns 100 ! Nice occasion and dedicated to my home place ! I am happy to be persistent enough to write more or less regularly and enlight readers with my panoramic endeavors and experiments.

16:9 Walkabout

2008-11-17T19:38:00.000+08:00

Occasionally it is my pleasure to go around with a simple (or rather small) camera and enjoy lightweight and tourist-alike snapping away. The Panasonic is a perfect companion if you want to leave your DSLR stuff at home. And the dynamic bw mode with some curve adjustment is just nice to enjoy simple digital photography from time to time.

GIGAPAN Chinese Garden

2008-11-06T10:41:00.000+08:00

Another GIGAPAN made with the modified gigapan systems head and the Panasonic Lumix FZ28. 96 images stitched with PTGui to a 14.200 x 17.300 pixel image (245MP). Not sure if it reveals much more details than 4 Canon 1Ds images stitched together. Maybe I will compare for this sake.

See the complete GIGAPAN here (link)

Panorama Tripod a shoestring II

2008-11-06T09:10:00.001+08:00

To follow up on the description of the simple mini panorama tripod, here some results:
LX3 @24mm (ISO80), F5, 1/250s (Shot in 16:9 format by mistake), 30 degree between the 7 images covering roughly 180 degree.
Resulting in a 10.300 x 3.600 pixel image. (below smaller jpg version)
LX3 @60mm (ISO80), F5, 1/250s (Shot in 16:9 format by mistake), 20 degree between the 17 images covering roughly 180 degree.
Resulting in a 19.000 x 3.800 pixel image. (below smaller jpg version and 100% crop)

Conclusion:
I am happy with the results for a 270g (tripod only, LX3 comes at another 275g) light tripod that fits into my daily bag.
It needs some finetuning for the nodal point for closer subjects, I used the pre-made holes in the L-shape bracket. All you need is a drilling machine.

Panorama Tripod a shoestring

2008-11-01T19:34:00.000+08:00

Occasionally I bring only a small camera along on shirt trips. The Panasonic LX3 or FZ28 deliver pretty good quality RAW images without carrying my 1Ds or ZD. Sometimes I create handheld panoramas and wish I had a tripod with a panoramahead at hand. I tried to create the lightest and smallest pano-tripod with parts I have in my repository.
Lets take table tripod (0$, came for free with another small camera), a L-shape bracket from the DIY-shop, 2 tripod screws and a Novoflex Panohead (for about 100$) from Ebay.
Yes, it is not perfect, it is not perfectly mounted over the nodal point, but with the FZ28 starting at 28mm it is pretty OK. Will upload some result files later.
The whole set can be disassembled and fits into my notebook bag and comes along any short business trips. And I even can do night panoramas now.

Panasonic LX3 Review

2008-10-17T08:43:00.001+08:00

I am not very good in reviewing cameras in a professional and technical exact fashion. I know how to choose a good camera with the features I need and usually check a couple of online reviews before deciding to buy. There are myriad of testsites, but let me tell you 95% of them are crap, they just try to get you on the site with links to online shops selling the camera, sometimes you find the same text on several of these "test portals"..rubbish. Two I regularly visit is dpreview.com (link) and luminous-landscape.com (link), the latter one is pretty independent, has less reviews, but feels more serious than the standard review approach in dpreview, anyway judege by yourself.

I want the highlight the Panasonic LX3 review (link) which confirms that this is a real great camera and belong into the pocket of any photographer who wants to do crips shots out there while not carrying around a DSLR ! I wonder whats the big deal about the Leica D-Lux 4, which is the exact same camera whith a red dot and a 200S$ difference in price.

Lumix FZ28 goes gigapan

2008-10-15T21:20:00.000+08:00

Managed to mount a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 on the gigapan head with the help of a little homemade support bracket from the DIY shop. Not the final version, but a start.

GIGAPAN Tips and Tricks (Part 2)

2008-10-12T21:59:00.000+08:00

This topic does not apply specifically to images created with the Gigapan system, but to all stitching practice in general. The gigapan gives you more control over the process than for example handheld shot panoramas or using a panohead without dents.

I am a perfectionist when it comes to stitching images. I dislike (creating or printing) panoramas where you can see obvious seams or moving subjects that show up half (usually referred to as ghosts).

Preconditions:
a) All images are shot with same camera settings (whitebalance, aperture, speed). Optional usage of RAW.
b) The more overlap the better (to some extend only!). I recommend somewhere 30..45%. This you set during the Gigapan Setup (FOV setting) or manually while shooting with non-gigapan gear.
c) The more images (or the higher the cameras resolution) you want to stitch the longer it will take, resp. require more memory in order to get results in a realistic timeframe. I am not sure what are the limitations of running Gigapan Stitcher under Windows 32.
d) Set the "Kepp projected images" option in the Gigapan Stitcher Options screen (see Img.1)

Img.1

Retouch/Post Processing:
With plenty of overlap I created the 2 images (detail crop img.2) of the same spot with the scene itself changing. The stitcher cannot take care of moving subjects like people or cars. You can se the result in img. 3 (upper part). To remove the ghost appearance you load the warped images with the overlapping scenes from the data/projected folder (applies only to gigapan stitcher) into Photoshop. If you use PTGui save the resulting panorama file either as image with all layers or save the layers as separate files. Now you copy and paste parts of the scene to repair from the warped images into the stitched "big" file (use 50% transparency to match the non-moving subjects like flagpole, etc.) and use the layer tools to reveal or hide the parts to repair. I find this as a very efficient and fast way to repair the ghosts and its way better than cloning and stamping subjects, background patterns or copy-n-paste-mirror-resize bodyparts. See he result in img.3 or goto gigapan.org (link) to see the fullsize version.

Tips for Photoshop:
(Big panoramas require lots of memory for a decent working speed.)
- Use Windows 64 with lot of real memory (not always an option due to availability)
- Terminate any other non-essential programs or services.
- Switch off the copy to clipboard function (see PS options/settings).
- Assign 75..80% of memory to PS (see PS options/settings).
- Reduce the PS history to 2 or max 3, worst case to 1 (see PS options/settings).
- Do a regular EDIT/PURGE/ALL to relief memory (seems to work for me).
- Be patient.

Img.2

Img.3

2008-10-12T21:18:00.001+08:00

Here the links to the highres versions of the german panoramas at gigapan.org (select link !):

Bad Duerkheim (link)

Speyer, Kaiserstatuen (link)

Speyer, Dom (link)

handheld panorama

2008-10-11T00:13:00.000+08:00

While playing with the bw mode I also did some panorama. Handheld, 24mm, 7 images. Stitched in PTGui resulting in 10.000 x 3.000 pixel

monochrome Digital

2008-10-10T23:50:00.000+08:00

Professional DSLR dont have a monochrome (or any other special effect) mode. If you convert you really want to do that in PS with the maximum of control and flexibility. The monochrome mode you find in consumer camera is pure crap and you use it one time only (after buying the camera and playing with all menus!).
But the LX3 is the first camera that changed my opeinion about this. The (dynamic) bw mode is really coming close to "real" bw and its fun to use it. The below samples are all shot in ISO100, 16:9, JPG fine and dynamic bw mode.

Hacking your camera: Remote Trigger

2008-10-09T16:34:00.001+08:00

I am still working on my panorama-rig with 10 cameras. To be frank, all the equipment is still sitting in the drawer collecting box with 1 opened camera and a soldering iron beside it.
Anyway, I found some "free" info on creating a remote trigger:
Wiley is publishing a book "Hacking Digital Cameras" (link). Check out the free pdf prevew chapter, it contains exactly what we are looking for !

Canon Camera Hack

2008-10-09T14:32:00.001+08:00

I came across some websites with in-detail information about hacking Canon cameras. Not all, but some models allow changing the firmware in a temporary fashion, means it is non-destructive and reversible. Some pretty cool new functions you get out of an el-cheapo consumer cam. RAW, timelapse, scripting, to name a few.
Unfortunately I dont have one of the supported cameras and I fear if I buy one, it wont support because of a different firmware version.
Why is it interesting for us ? Because we can turn a camera with full-auto only into a manual camera ! (please note I am not 100% sure about this)

Links:
Lifehacker.com (link)
CHDK Wiki (link)

Closing Remark: This "hacking" function seems to be a support function backdoor that found its way into public. X-Files: Maybe it was leaked intentionally to make the camera more hip to the tech geeks ?

New Stitching application

2008-10-08T15:21:00.000+08:00

During the last few years a couple of image stitching applications appeared on the scene and most of them matured well, means upgrades with faster performance, more functionality, better results and so on. Just to name a few (at leats these ones I ever used):

Panorama Factory (link)
Autopano Pro (link)
PTGui (link)
Hugin (link)

Today I prefer to work with PTGui with a truckload of manual functionality, as well superb results in auto-mode.

Btw, the Gigapan system is "shipped" with a stitcher as well. (link)

Microsoft Research just launched another new stitcher (ICE, Image Composite Editor) in the neighborhood of Deepzoom Composer and co. I just gave it a try and the results are pretty good. I will continue to test.

Some more info (link)
Download (link)

Update In-Camera-Stitch Cameras

2008-10-02T23:40:00.000+08:00

Just stumpled upon two brands who are offering consumer cameras with (in camera) panorama-mode. Even starting at 35mm is not that exciting like the 24mm of the Kodak, but still worth looking at:
- Praktica luxmedia 8403 (link)
- Rollei XS-8 (link)

GIGAPAN Tips and Tricks (Part 1)

2008-10-02T23:18:00.000+08:00

Check if the camera fits into the GIGAPAN camera bracket, the Panasonic LX3 almost doesnt fit. Check the list of tested cameras here (link)
Use a camera that allows manual override, at least with a exposure lock, otherwise dont waste your time. Results are disappointing (due to the camera producing different exposed pictures, not the fault of the gigapan system).
You might want to look out for a camera that supports RAW to get some extra control on color, exposure and detail(?).
Best result with these camera settings: manual exposure, manual or fix whitebalance (aka sun, cloud,..), fix focus.
Dont use digital zoom ! It is not going to increase the resolution ! Switch it off.
The more overlap you have between the images, the higher the chance you can patchwork (in PS or GIMP) some of the moving and most probably half objects.

First GIGAPAN

2008-09-25T20:12:00.000+08:00

Finally I get my hands dirty with the GIGAPAN head. I brought it from Singapore (after it was shipped from US) back to Germany to spend some time experimenting with it. I share some first hands-on experience with it. Ultimately I will compare the GIGAPAN setup with stitched images from 1Ds and Mamyia ZD and a spherical scanner (even complete different league of equipment!). I will look into usability in the field.

Technical Data:
- Camera New Panasonic LX3 (10 MP, jpeg high). Manual settings, fix white balance. Manual focus.
- 25 images in 3 rows and 5 columns
- Setup and shooting in less than 5min. Finding a spot 30min.
- Stitched with Gigapan Stitcher 12.619 x 4.687 pixel (59.1MP) in roughly 10min.
- Photoshop to crop and slight curve adjustments.

Conclusion:
- The setup of the head is fast. The one-time (per camera) setup you better do at home and get comfortable with the settings of both camera and GIGAPAN
head.
- The total shooting time depends on the camera, (How fast can it store the image data ? Does it run out of buffer after 10 or so shots ?), the size of FOV and the area you want to cover. The more you can zoom in (with the lens), the smaller the FOV the more pictures you have to take.
You should experiment with the settings, especially with the break in seconds between the shots before you go out and start shooting.
I tried with the (slower) BenQ camera and the GIGAPAN head was triggering faster than the camera can digest, ending up single shots got lost.

Options:
- Shooting in RAW, would give a bit more control later on color temperature, maybe a slightly (?) higher level of detail. But most cameras cannot shoot continously in RAW without the need to clear the buffer to the memory after a number of shots (the same time you cant do anything but wait). Note there is no "data" connection between head and camera. The head does nothing but moving the camera and triggering mechanically.
- Stitch with PTGUI to achieve more flexibility, eg. stitch to PSD format with individual layers, provided you have enough memory and CPU power.
I will upload the result in original size to gigapan.org once I am back to my office with fast broadband connection. So this is a downsized preview only.
I will add more test results and feedback as I proceed testing. Stay tuned.

Gigapan out of the box

2008-09-16T23:01:00.000+08:00

In less than a week after ordering my beta-tester set of the Charmed Labs (link) Gigapan head arrived. Under the Gigpan-Systems (link) label they started the production of this automatic panohead for consumer sized cameras. The results are currently on an own website (link).

My first impression:
smaller and lighter than expected
no prototype look-and-feel
easy to setup and use,
fun,looking forward to experiment with it

I will use it with a Panasonic LX3.
You need to wait for my first results and in-deep test, since I am just packing for Germany for 3 weeks.

The picture show the unpacking ceremony and the test setup with el-cheapo Benq cam.

New Panorama Engine on the way

2008-09-10T15:54:00.000+08:00

For quite some time panorama photographers already working on multirow panoramas with highres equipment and/or large computing setups to process the huge amount of images/data (check out the Harlem 13 Gigapixel Panorama at link). If you do a manual multirow you are challenged, if your go for more than 3 rows because I find it not easy to manually adjust the (panoramic) head accordingly. There are a number of automated solutions out there, most of them in beta state or homebrew stuff. If you followed the Gigapan (link) project you saw their prototype more than one year ago. Finally they ship the first batch of panoheads. Since I am registred as beta user, I ordered (its not free) my tripod head today. Looking forward to work with it. I will keep you updated.

Time for Worldwide Panorama again

2008-09-10T15:40:00.000+08:00

The next event "COLOR" is about to start next week from 18. to 23. September 2008 during the upcoming equinox. Exactly at that time I will be back home in Germany for a couple of weeks. Looking forward to do my first "home" contribution after 7 contributions made somewhere in AsiaPac. Still need to work on this topic. (link)

Kandooma Getaway day 3

2008-09-09T14:15:00.000+08:00

This island is 35 hectares! After 20min you return to the same spot going along the beach. The island a bit deserted in a off-peak period with 30 people around. On the third day I start feeling like the chap in the Castaway movie ! Wonder how you feel without the luxurious stuff around you.

Kandooma paranormal

2008-09-07T15:59:00.000+08:00

Awesome ! A last minute trip to Maldives, only planned 2 days in advance while getting some extra good price. I didnt expect this level of comfort with plamsa tv, ocean view (actually in the ocean), wireless and Ipod docking station. So this is "live" panorama. I brought the snapsnap V705 and the 1Ds, so some decent panos are in the pipeline. Here some stitch-on-the-spot with Kodak V705.
Incase you want to drop by: www.kandooma-maldives.com

Gigapan Marina Keppelbay

2008-08-09T18:42:00.000+08:00

A recent short fieldtrip brought me to Labrador Nature Reserve Park. A handheld shot showing Marina Keppelbay, Reflections at Keppelbay, Sentosa Gateway and more.
Canon 1Ds with 24-105 L IS @ 105, 25 images
125MPixel, 32.500 x 3.800 pixel

Singapore greens spots disappearing

2008-08-08T09:19:00.001+08:00

More and more green spots, or little areas of grass in midst of the city, that provide some air and space to breathe, are disappearing. The city, in an attempt to become the ultimate metropole, is busy filling up all these "gaps" with concrete, steel and glass shopping-centre cum condo to compete with Hong Kong. Specifically I liked this green area around Rochor Road, in front of Parkview Square (wikipedia link). It was unchanged since I came to Singapore in 2002, but now finally URA decided to cash in this prime area.

Singapore Graffity is alive

2008-08-08T09:13:00.000+08:00

..sometimes. I love it as an urban art form, even I dont really need to have it on everything like in Europe (buses,cars,trains,windows,..). But in Singapore there is such a lack of it (due to heavy fines), that its a delight to see some at least occasionally. Wonder how long it takes before they remove it.

Panoramic Vivocity

2008-08-02T11:06:00.000+08:00

Biggest Shopping Mall (as per area) in Singapore and maybe in SE Asia. The usual look and feel, but the architectural features are more curved, round or organic, as the expert says.
Nice location, at the back side you can loiter around outside while having a beer at Brotzeit (german restaurant/pub) and enjoy the view to Sentosa Island, which is nothing more than a big construction site at the moment, thanks to the upcoming casinos, uhm.. Integrated Resort.

Advertising Imagery

2008-08-01T11:18:00.000+08:00

Slightly off-topic, but I need to share this with you. It always amuses me the kind of works of photography (mixed with some Photoshop) is displayed in advertising or on the box of a product. I wonder sometimes if someone earns money or just get fired with something like this. I bought a 30$ ladder and it was shrinkwrapped including a this true piece of art:
Besides the description "Famlly Stair cnse" which most probably means "Family Staircase" (which also doesnt really match the product), the image striked me in particular !
A ladder arranged in photoshop together with a globe on a green field. What do they want to tell us with this ? This ladder is bigger than earth ? You can climb on top of the globe ? You will feel like being at a green field together with your new staircase and a globe ?
We will not find out ....
Btw, I would love to appreciate the IP of this work and mention the copyright, but the product is not showing one sign who is producing the ladder and this awful picture. In case you know, let me know.

Panoramic Berlin II

2008-07-12T17:35:00.000+08:00

Some remaining shots before I left Berlin. Great City, a lot to see and great summer time atmosphere. Check out these V705 pans from the S-Bahn, Der Reichstag and Potsdamer Platz.

Worldwide Panorama 06-2008 online !

2008-07-12T16:07:00.000+08:00

The 19th worldwidepanorama event and the second for this year is online. Please visit at geoimiges.berkeley.edu/worldwidepanorama/wwp608. My contribution covers the Henderson Waves in Southern Singapore. (link)

Panoramic Berlin

2008-07-02T17:52:00.000+08:00

A short biz trip brought me to Berlin, the german capital. Have not been here for some years, it changed quite a lot, specifically the eastern part of the city and the area around the "wall". I brought only the Kodak V705 along, but regretting that I dont carry the bigger equipment to make some nice panos. Anyway not much time to explore, maybe next time. Here some shots around the new Central Station and the government buildings.

Going anaglyph !

2008-06-21T19:21:00.000+08:00

I was always amazed by this 50 (?) old way of looking at pictures and movies and creating a sense of depth by cheating eyes and brain with the 2 merged images with the "red/cyan" look. I am not elaborating on how and when it was invented or how it exactly it works, but will experiment with the technique and plan to experiment in the panorama field with this. Lets start small with a simple 2 camera setup, 15 cents red/cyan glasses and some photoshop work. I bought a box with 100 paper red/cyan glasses, so my local readers, let me know and you can have one (terms and condition apply, haha).

Upgrading to Nodalninja

2008-06-21T19:12:00.000+08:00

I am waiting for the latest Nodalninja model, No.5. It seems this is gonna be a sturdy panorama VR head capable to take heavy equipment, and I will use it with Mamiya ZD to produce some serious highres images. Anyway, the version with the upper rotator is not released yet, so I can spend some time on other experiments in the meantime. Check out the gear at www.nodalninja.com.

Extreme PanoRig

2008-06-05T21:11:00.001+08:00

My very own panorama rig project collects dust since half a year, but it is certainly not off. I also will continue to play with 360 degree video with the one-shot lens setup and the videocam, but in case you want to see some serious stuff, then you should have a look at 2k360 by Paradise FX (link). Dont forget to download the demo movie ! There is no pricetag, but there are some 9 HDR pro cams mounted on a rig, and if you have close look, you will see 9 Apple Powerbooks underneath it. That must be a cool toy, maybe a bit too big to carry along.
I will keep you updated on my budget projects !

Invitation to SingaporeVR.com

2008-06-05T10:33:00.000+08:00

Today I want to highlight a website of another VR fellow in Singapore. He shares on almost daily base new VR spots around town ! Man, I wish I had more time.
Drop by www.SingaporeVr.com and the blog at singaporevr.blogspot.com !
Thanks Aram !

One Shot Panorama Shenzen

2008-05-21T08:57:00.001+08:00

Another trip to Shenzen, seems the city attracts me for business trips now. I was able to shot one panorama from the office. A lot of interesting details that would be worth to cover in a gigapan. Maybe when I return in July. The haze is not really creating a nice background. More info about Shenzen at wikipedia (link).
I could sense the second day earthquake in Sichuan (more than 1000km away). It scares me, I think we dont have any idea, sitting here in our armchair, what suffering and pain that created for the people there.

Panorama History Lane - Part 2

2008-05-11T16:01:00.000+08:00

I put the QV-100 aside in 1998 (I roughly shot 250 images with the battery sucking camera) and rather focused on classic panorama photography with Noblex and co using film (while waiting for digital technology to mature and settle at a reasonable price region). My next digital camera was the Sony DSC-P1 (dpreview link)announced by Sony in September 2000 (I bought it in december 2000), a nice and small camera creating 3Mpix images. I used it for about 1 year (I kept using it occasionally until 2005) before finally getting my first DSLR Canon D30 in January 2002. In 2001 I used an early version of the Panorama Factory (today V5.1, link), which kept me pretty happy before new kids on the block took over with different feature sets.
The first panoramas with the Sony DSC-P1, shot in Zuerich (Switzerland), where I lived for about one year. Here the original files, I also used todays panorama stitcher software on the old image files to compare the results, main differences are tool handling, speed and auto accuracy reducing post-processing effort.

First digital Panorama from 1998

2008-05-10T22:58:00.000+08:00

The same time I got my hands on the first digital camera (Casio QV100) I tried to create panoramas. In 1998 there were only few stitching applications around and with a camera that runs at 640x480 and doesn't know any whitebalance pre-settings it was hard to create any decent results. The panorama here is a rather poor result, despite shooting during changing light conditions (as the observing reader might comment). I kept on experimenting the following years followed with better results with a Sony P1 in 2000 and later with Canon D30, 1Ds and Spherocam. The panos was created with an earlier version of Photovista (the software is still around in a more up-to-date version, link). In 2005 I created this panorama from the same position (smaller viewing angle though, link).

Zoomify - Panoramic View over Wachenheim

2008-05-10T13:25:00.000+08:00

The second viewer of my large panorama and image viewer test series is Zoomify (link). The viewer is flash based, Zoomify created the concept already a couple of years ago. Adobe Photoshop CS3 comes with a Zoomify export function.

Zoomify Test
View over Wachenheim with 24.433 x 7.681 pixel (~188MP, uncompressed 536 MB file)
Canon 1Ds, 24-105 L IS lens at 105
40 Images stitched with PTGui Pro
Resulting in 4.004 tile files in 16 subfolders (107 MB).

Click here to see the result here (only flash required)

(hosted on a free hoster, I dont want to fill up my webserver with tons of files)

10 Years Digital Photography

2008-05-10T09:45:00.000+08:00

While spending some time at home, I was browsing through old backup CD's (hoping to find these old digi snaps). And surprisingly the 10 years old CD (still readable) revealed some of the very first digital images I ever took ! Made with a CASIO QV 100 (link), compared with todays technology any mobile phone or webcam can do better picture than this, but it was one of the first affordable consumer cameras in 1996-1997 for 700 DM (~350 Euro) - I bought it (used) in 1998 for 200 DM. It creates crappy 640x480 (0.3 Mpix) greenish pictures that are completely awful but it brings back some nostalgic moments and I really regret that I sold it later for 100 DM. Maybe I will hunt for one in ebay or ask the guy who bought it, if I can buy it back !
10 Years later and I use a Medium Format Back with 21 Mpix, maybe the personal development might be more significant than the numbers and tech stuff !? Another 10 years and ... ?
The (untouched) shot from April 5th 1998 in amazing 640x480. (The stone is removed by today due to a street).

Panoramic Visit at home

2008-05-09T09:34:00.000+08:00

Finally, after 7 months, I visited home again. Besides meeting up with family and friends, I managed to do a couple of shots with the V705 and a big number of VR's. I will share some of them with you shortly (the usual processing delay). Here some snaps from Bad Duerkheim with the Kodak (a sunshine camera, ain't?).

Gigapixel Panoramas - Microsoft HDView

2008-04-18T10:25:00.000+08:00

The first viewer I will review briefly is the HD View (Beta 2) by Microsoft Research's Interactive Visual Media group with quite a number of interesting projects they work on. I leave it to you, to question if their objective is to create ultimately new Microsoft Products or it throw into the opensource or "free" pool.
The viewer is a (guess what) non-flash plugin that you can download (500k) and install it for free without any hazzle or registration. Of course, this reduce the potential number of visitors drastically because most internet user either dont have admin rights on the PC (eg. office, internet cafe), just dont want to install any plugin beyond Flash and Java, dont like Microsoft or use a different OS, because at the time of writing the viewer is available only for Windows.
The viewer works only if you are connected to web, you cant use it offline like the zoomify flash.
A plugin for Photoshop is available, so it is fairly simple to produce content, just export a "big" image and it creates a simple website with all necessary files. I am not sure how actively they pursue the development if a final viewer. It seems some projects just slowly die, some (eg Panorama Stitch) find their way into commercial MS products. They are not as active as other "open" projects. You also can check out Microsoft Live Labs (same like research group or competing internally?) and their Photosynth (good idea, but looks like stalled project, no more blog entries since September 2007!).

HD View test:
Singapore Boat Quay with 36.656 x 5.211 pixel (~190MP, uncompressed 546 MB file)
Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back, 105-200 lens at 200
15 Images stitched with PTGui Pro
Exported with jpg quality setting 65
Resulting in 4.109 tile files in 290 subfolders.

Click here to see the result here (if you dare to download the plugin)
(hosted on a free hoster, I dont want to fill up my webserver with tons of files)

Links: HD View, Microsoft Research's Interactive Visual Media group, Zoomify, PTGui, Microsoft Live Labs

Viewer for large images and panoramas

2008-04-16T22:55:00.000+08:00

Since a couple of years developers try to find ways to transport large (large as in file size as well resolution) images via the internet to the browser. An image with 210 Mpix and dimension of 21.000 x 10.000 would take to long to transfer and the browser has no chance to really display the image. So one came up with the idea to slice the images in small pieces and transfer only what you currently see (that is the short description).
A couple of years ago I started using Zoomify (link, my website is even listed on their reference page), by today more (mostly flash based viewers) are out there with more or less features to configure.

Some of them
HDView (Microsoft, currently in Beta, requires plugin)
Silverlight Deepzoom (Microsoft, requires Silverlight installed)
www.gigapan.org (flash viewer embedded into the google sponsored website, not standalone)
krpano Flash Pano Viewer (Flash)

If I come across others or you share more with me, I will add them. In the next posting I will talk about the MS HDViewer and add some live samples.

Photoshop CS3 upgrade

2008-04-16T22:17:00.000+08:00

I know Photoshop since the earlier days. Not that early ! .. the foundation was created by 2 brothers in 1988 by creating a piece of Software for Macintosh Plus called Display, later ImagePro and finally renamed in Photoshop. PS 1.0 was released in 1990. Fast forward.... I am using it on a more professional level since about 10 years and bought the last version (CS) in 2004. So far I did not see why I should upgrade to CS2 or CS3 (released in 2007), but more and more plugins, tutorials and books are referring at least to CS2 now, so I invested 340.- SGD in the Windows upgrade. Today I also would consider GIMP (if start again),even most of the functionality I use, is to do basic photographic touchup, but I stick to PS and I am happy with it. One of the few software that maintains a very good reputation and does not disappoint you with crashes and blue screens.
Links: Photoshop (Adobe), History of Photoshop in Wikipedia, GIMP

Worldwide Panorama No.1/2008 live !

2008-04-07T18:13:00.000+08:00

Today the World Wide Panorama went live (link). Almost 200 submissions from all over the world covering the topic "Beginnings".

Open interactive SPI-V Viewer (requires Shockwave)
Update 16.04.2008: I removed the integrated view here and added the link, Shockwave just consume to
much CPU and memory if you add several ones on the same page.

Petronas Towers VR

2008-03-31T20:12:00.000+08:00

For a long time I didnt create any VR's for fun. In Kuala Lumpur finally spend some some time in the evening to create another beautiful VR of the famous towers. Unfortunately I didnt bring my VR head, so I was guessing and turning the whole tripod. But the result still looks good without too much post processing.

I am using the flickr SPI Viewer from Aldo Hoeben, great viewer.

Open interactive SPI-V Viewer (requires Shockwave)

2008-03-30T23:00:00.000+08:00

Coming back from Kuala Lumpur, I processed the RAW files using a PC with more horsepower and memory. The gigapan comes at 21.100 x 9.900 pixel (~210MPx).

Short Visit to Kuala Lumpur

2008-03-26T22:26:00.000+08:00

A conference brought me back to Kuala Lumpur, haven't been there for a while. An impressive view from the roof terace at the 34th floor (this one made with the Kodak V705). A bit later the day I re-shoot the pano with the 1Ds. Will upload the highres version for your exploring pleasure asap. Unfortunately there is no way to have the Petronas Towers in the panorama due to some ugly building roof in front of it. Just a normal (alias non-panoramic) night view.

Featured in Google Earth

2008-03-25T12:45:00.000+08:00

3 of my highres panoramas from Australia are featured in the Gigapan Gallery in Google Earth. Select "Gigapan Photos" in the gallery layer.
Check out Hawkesburry River Cruise (link), Woy Woy Bay (link) near Sydney and the Adelaide Harbor (link).
Gigapan (link), Google Earth (link)

First Digital Back Gigapan

2008-03-23T23:49:00.001+08:00

First experiments creating large panoramic images with the Mamiya ZD back and 150mm lens (Note the shallow depth of field at F5.6).
10 Images RAW (4.000x5.336) with estimated overlap using a panohead, converted with Adobe Lightroom into jpg max files and stitched with PTGui Pro; resulting in a 144Mp 27.541x5.235 panorama. (Shot at the Kranji War Memorial)

Worldwide Panorama No.1-2008 on its way

2008-03-22T19:35:00.000+08:00

The regular VR panorama event that unites 100's of panorama photographers worldwide in shooting in the same period of time (usually the solstice) all over the world and working out a submission to the same topic, this time "Beginnings". The shooting is 19.to 23. March 2008. I will submit again after being offline there for 2 years after 5 previous submissions.
A new.. Beginning !

The World Wide Panorama

Short Visit to Shekou

2008-03-13T10:23:00.000+08:00

A 2 day trip to visit a friend brought me to Shekou, Shenzen. The city is less than 30 years old and lacks of history or old China kind of attractions, so I made only a handful of V705 panos. I stayed in a hotel (Seaworld Hotel) converted Cruise Ship (The Minghua, bougth by China from France in the 70's) , that was somehow stranded years ago and then caught by land reclamation.

Jurong Hill

2008-03-03T11:25:00.000+08:00

Another Singapore dusty attraction that I "found" last week. Nearvy the famous Jurong Birdpark, hardly any tourist finds his way the tower on the hill. Yes, it was there all the time, but since I bought the van, I am exploring more places than before. Jurong Hill is a lookout tower cum restaurant, both seen better times, but you have very interesting view over Singapore from Bukit Timah Hill to Jurong Island. Weather was rainy and overcast, so I marked it on my todo list for a highres panorama soon. Experience with the Kodak V705: as usual, the cam is not made for overcast situation ! The below images are photoshoped to increase dynamic range a bit and boost the flat color.

Singapore Airshow 2008 (II)

2008-02-21T21:14:00.000+08:00

Another day at the new show location. Today overcast weather, so the sky not as fantastic as Tuesday. Form y taste there far too much military stuff and killing accessories on display, so I dont indulge in giving the details of these planes, except for the Airbus A380.

Singapore Airshow 2008

2008-02-19T21:09:00.000+08:00

The next 4 days I will be at the Singapore Airshow, a tradeshow (mix of civil aviation and military accessories). Some panoramic opportunities in between manning the booth. The first set.Links: Singapore Airshow 2008, Airbus, Singapore Airlines A380

Bukit Timah Hill MTB track

2008-02-18T11:20:00.000+08:00

Dont believe I am spending 100% of my time doing panoramas. Just this morning I went on my regular MTB session at the Bukit Timah Hill track, about 6km (the short loop) along a mostly narrow track with lots of short up- and downhill sections (spiced with gravel). I love this, during the week you have the track for yourself and there are some spots along the track which are really serene and quiet, make me feel like being at home in Germany (ignore the exact variety of plants and animals, which is not matching). This is a very unique feature of the track. A service road cut through it, I assume for less than 2 cars per day. Someone decided to protect the street and put up a barrier on both sides in a nice dark grey/green color. So you have a slope downwards towards the barrier with a moldy green warning signboard ahead. Of course the second time coming there you (might) remember, but some very enthusiastic drivers on their first visit will get challenged by a suddenly appearing metal barrier.
Another track highlight. The signboard tells you "Stair ahead, shift down to lower gear". OK, I saw stairsections before and even managed to ride some stairs up and down, but coming around the corner of this signboard you see some stairs that are still waiting for a master to take. This is MTB not climbing stuff.Resume: Its the best place for MTB in Singapore you can go. My advice: This is not for beginners in MTB cycling and not for a walk in the park with your kids on the children bikes ! You should be experienced in riding narrow, occasionally wet and slippery, sections with lots of gravel. Bring water, there is no shop, there is basically nothing and come in the morning before 10am, or you are an experienced rider under tropical conditions. I declare this 6km as my "postcard from home", representing the 100's of km tracks through forest around my hometown.