http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/ Engadget Comments for How would you change Gigapan's Epic camera robot? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Lol. You are gonna get flame. ]]>Dec 5th 2009 12:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/OH GOD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE]]>Dec 5th 2009 12:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/I thought the whole point was identical fixed exposure across all the component photos to give a consistent exposure across the resulting combined image. So, do a couple of bracketed exposures first as a test; not by taking hundreds of extra photos during the scan!]]>Dec 5th 2009 6:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 10:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
While you are taking first 10 photos in a row, light conditions and moving objects (like clouds) will change dramatically. So unless you shoot in a studio environment, making HDR will be a PITA. But it would be interesting to try.

BTW, can't you just set your camera to autobracket automatically when used with gigapan?]]>Dec 7th 2009 11:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
Must... resist... "your mother"... comment..]]>Dec 5th 2009 1:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
As for this if I was to use one I would want it to support direct triggering of DSLRs or other cameras either by cabled remotes or IR. None of this hackish pressing of the shutter button.]]>Dec 5th 2009 12:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/The gigapan's was primarily made to automate shooting hundreds of shots to make extremely large images (gigapixel images). The instructions recommend you put your camera at maximum zoom and shoot in passes much smaller than 360 degrees.]]>Dec 5th 2009 1:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 6th 2009 4:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Funny, I actually put a laser on it one night and took a long exposure as it swept around.

http://www.upvector.com/aux/misc/gigabeam.jpg

Lasers!!]]>Dec 5th 2009 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 5:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
dude, thats the coolest thing ive seen all day. +1! :)]]>Dec 6th 2009 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
The discount offered to education institutions would be a good start.]]>Dec 5th 2009 12:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/I'm not sure the steppers would be precise enough for a good time lapse pan & tilt. It'd be neat to try! Wonder if anyone's modded it to do that.]]>Dec 5th 2009 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
Also, thank you Engadget for finally keeping me logged in.. except, now I'm not seeing a "Submit" button.. (and of course get those random "Do you want to continue running this script?" errors)]]>Dec 5th 2009 12:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/- the detached keyboard could also allow to step back after one round and do some segments again that had moving objects during the first round
- better battery life and/or detached battery holder
- the autobracket idea above is a good one

]]>Dec 5th 2009 12:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 12:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/- Remote control (wireless or wired, I don't care)
- Command interface (for controlling from a laptop / mobile)
- A freaking backlit display (Really annoying!)

Otherwise, I love it :-)]]>Dec 5th 2009 1:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/One more thing -- external power supply option!]]>Dec 5th 2009 1:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
...wait, is that a question or a statement?]]>Dec 5th 2009 1:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 2:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
I strongly suggest users give a try to Autopano Giga, a stitching software that allows one to paste different pictures, like a wide angle shot and many zoomed in shots, into the same picture.

Let say you are shooting the usual panorama; you start with a few wide angle shots, and then you zoom in only on those areas where you see significant detail.

Then you stitch all together with Autopano. You do not have to carry the Gigapan with you, you do not have to carry a tripod, you need not worry about batteries, and you do not get hundreds of pictures with no value.

I think panorama photographers should concentrate on getting the most out of the minimum number of pictures.

Besides, once you have generated a huge file with the Gigapan system, you can only upload it to Gigapan's own website, which gets very limited exposure if compared with Flickr or the like.

Here below is the link to a 17 pictures handheld panorama made by me; but other users (me too) have shot handheld panoramas with hundred of images

http://photos.paolosmeraldi.com/Other/Camogli/Group-1-P1010104P1010123-17/571036720_CW9mE-L-2.jpg

http://photos.paolosmeraldi.com/]]>Dec 5th 2009 3:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
Bryon Paul McCartney
www.bryonpaulmccartney.com]]>Dec 5th 2009 4:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/The resolution of that system is truly outstanding. Too bad it isn't video. If you want to see a video version of immersive technology, check out www.lucid.it.

Lucid Team
www.lucid.it]]>Dec 5th 2009 8:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
The Pro that should be coming out will hold at least 8 pounds or more.

The Gigapan should have a digital shutter trigger (2.5" or 3.5" plug).

Battery life isn't a problem if you get an external rechargable battery. I've taken about 2000 pictures on one charge and the battery was only half used.

Make it have a delay before triggering the shutter (not just a delay after the shutter trips and then the mechanism moves) so that way you can take long exposures. ]]>Dec 5th 2009 4:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/Dec 5th 2009 5:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
Also, a built-in deodorant for those unexpected moments.]]>Dec 6th 2009 8:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
Was recently at Disneyland and FunSpot (worlds largest arcade in NH) ended up with a ton of really good panorama's (even with no one in the scene holding still at DL) all shot handheld and stitched in PtGui:

http://disney.rocket9.net/page2.htm
http://pinball.rocket9.net/FunSpot.htm

This is an area though where practice makes perfect... starting out I couldn't get 1 attempt in 4 to result in a panorama worth showing. Can get something good about 90% of the time now.]]>Dec 7th 2009 8:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://gigapan.org/gigapans/33411/

@ Rocket9net; nighttime photographs (not even wrt a multi-shot panorama for now) are difficult enough, even WITH a tripod. Explain to me how one would take a clear, gigapixel image, at night-- without one?? I have attempted to make a 2-gigapixel night stitch that simply did not work out because the Gigapan itself was simply blowing *SLIGHTLY* over a 3-second exposure at 105mm in the wind. Then it started to rain because of the sheer length of time I had to have the robot out there (2 hours to shoot, 1 hour to set up got me 1/4 of the way there). Add to this the question of HDR across the entire image-- you want to make something like this handheld?

Also, in response to your 14 megapixel Funspot photo: http://gigapan.org/gigapans/34468/, which clearly utilizes the capabilities of the Gigapan and would not be possible without it. This is currently in contention for the Guinesss World Record of most appearances of a single person in one shot, and has a resolution of 3 gigapixels.

@LloydChiro: Pick up a D3 or D90 and use the auto-bracketing function to take -2, 0, and +2 shots. Definitely a hack and not as precise as we'd all like, but I've had promising results in the picture found here: http://gigapan.org/gigapans/38060/. Batch processing and tonemapping the photos before stitching saves MY i7 a lot of work.

All I could ask for, as listed above, is a rechargeable battery brick, a more robust nodal point calibration/robotic arm assembly, and computer controlled focus, exposure, and triggering adjustments (as alluded to above). In short, make it closer to a PixOrb rig! ;)]]>Dec 7th 2009 9:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://gigapan.org/searchGigapansByTag.php?tag=ricew&order_by=most_popular

and this GigaPan is worthy of cover location on an architectural magazine: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/37836/

and some more information on dpreview.com:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1038&message=30225606&q=radcliffe+gigapan&qf=m

Also, always use rechargeable batteries. My biggest image so far has been 1001 photos, but when I have blue sky, I am going for a 1500 photo image and I am positive that I can do it with only 6 batteries.]]>Dec 7th 2009 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://rocket9.net/page2.htm

It's presented on here at 9800x1200, scaled down a fair bit for web presentation. Technique I use for shooting long duration at night (and for pano's during the day with lots of movement) is pretty easy. I take advantage of rapid fire mode, shoot each shot half a dozen times or more. First one is always blurry, later ones, often much better and sometimes very still (I think I used about ~1.5 second exposure on the state fair shot). Then when making the panorama, first take the best of the bunch. And when stitching, if there's movement in the scene, take the non-moving part from multiple's of the same.]]>Dec 7th 2009 7:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/04/how-would-you-change-gigapans-epic-camera-robot/
Happy Holidays: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/38916/snapshots/113053/
Two Ladies Fleeting: http://gigapan.org/gigapans/15029/snapshots/44250/
Maggie and Renuka: http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/10339/snapshots/28702/
]]>Dec 13th 2009 9:46PM