Roto Photo 360 AP

[sky high]

Apparently this device allows for the capture of a 360 panarama all in one image eliminating the need to stitch multiple images together. I wonder what would happen if you shot video with it?

Use your mouse to pan the image up and down when the demo loads.

www.roto-photo.com

[AZ ChopperCam]

There is a company that makes a similar device for video. One of the fullsize aerial photo companies I work with sent me the link asking me about it. They were considering getting one.

I can't find the link anywhere now but it was VERY cool. You could watch the video any number of times and see something different every time.

[sky high]

There used to be pictures of the hardware on that site. The device that attaches to the camera looks like an orchid's flower and the camera attaches to the long base with the lens centered. The shaft and bell is completely mirrored so the camera looks up the shaft and under the rounded upper bell in all directions and that's what gives the 360 image. I think the coolest thing about an aerial 360 is that when you pan the image up and down 180 degrees, you can't see anything supporting the camera above or below. :mrgreen:

[wwellman]

Actually those 360 are much easier to do than the way I do them. All you need is a 8mm fish eye lens suspended from a kite pointing straight down, take one 360 X 180 picture blend a sky shot in and there is the 360 all around.

Take a look at the way I do them
www.RPVaerialphoto.com/VirtualTours.html

Walter

[sky high]

Here's a page from their original site that shows another aerial 360 and it has a surprise! After the image loads, click the image to gain control then pan right.

www.roto-photo.com/aerial%20photography.htm

[fitenfyr]

You know the problem with those "can's" is the image quality is crap.
You loose so much quality they are not even worth it.
Just take a few pictures into your car mirror and you will see how bad they are it is the same principal.

There are several ways to do this, but the ways that yeild the best results involve multiple images (usually about 20 or so) stitched together in a program designed to do panoramic or VR images.

This panoramic is an example of the quality difference.
http://www.vraerials.com/360aerials1.html
That image could have been done as a spherical 360, but the client only asked for a 360.
Done with a 12mp camera and a "normal" wide angle lens.

Those things are fun, but if you want quality you have to use multiple images and stitch them together IMO.

Just look at the 360's Tabb has posted on here if you want to see a direct comparison.
http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=13531

[sky high]

Yep, those were some very high quality shots! Great job!