Instruction Manual Roundshot VR Drive / Roundshot VR Drive s Software release: version 4.0 (January 2010) Instruction Manual Roundshot VR Drive - version 4.0 – January 2010 - © by Seitz Phototechnik AG / Switzerland www.roundshot.
Riffelhorn (2,928 m altitude), Zermatt / Switzerland 180 images taken with digital SLR camera and Roundshot VR Drive, stitched to 1.04 GB panorama (20,900 x 53,743 pixels) Photographer: Matthias Taugwalder (www.concept360.ch) This product is available in two versions: • Roundshot VR Drive • Roundshot VR Drive s The Roundshot VR Drive is equipped with the „quality mode“. The Roundshot VR Drive s offers both the „quality mode“ and the „speed mode“.
CONTENTS 1. System Overview 1.1 1.2 Roundshot VR Drive Panorama Set & Object Movie Set Accessories 2. Roundshot VR Drive Panorama Set Page 3 3 4 5 5 2.1 Setting up the VR Drive Panorama Set 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images Cylindrical panoramas Spherical panoramas Number of images to create the panorama 10 10 11 12 2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.3.4 2.3.5 2.3.6 2.3.7 2.3.8 2.3.9 2.3.10 2.3.
1. System Overview 1.
1.1 Roundshot VR Drive Panorama Set & Object Movie Set (continued) VR Drive Object Movie Set 10 Turntable (120mm) with screw 10 1.2 Accessories Electronic release cable (included in Set) Between VR Drive connection (1) and camera plug Fully automatic release of camera, synchronised with VR Drive Starter cable (1.6m – other lengths possible) Into connection for external release (9) Easy release of the VR Drive if it is in a higher or inaccessible position. 3 functions: 1.
2. Roundshot VR Drive Panorama Set 2.1 Setting up the VR Drive Panorama Set Step 1: Assemble the VR Head The VR Head can be separated for easier transport: It can be reassembled in the following way: Step 2: Place the VR Drive motor on a tripod Step 3: Attach the VR Head on top of the VR Drive motor. Make sure that the VR Head is placed firmly on the VR Drive motor. Instruction Manual Roundshot VR Drive - version 4.0 – January 2010 - © by Seitz Phototechnik AG / Switzerland www.roundshot.
2.1 Setting up the VR Drive Panorama Set (continued) Step 4: Attach the camera in such a way that the camera is positioned in an exact 90° angle to the horizon (y-axis). This can be checked with a separate spirit level. Step 5: Center the camera in the x- and y axis (A+B) Rotate camera with lens pointing downward using the rotation lever (D). The camera viewfinder now points on the adjustment bar for x-axis (A). Center the camera by shifting its position on the x-axis and y-axis (A+B).
2.1 Setting up the VR Drive Panorama Set (continued) Step 6: Set the nodal point by changing the position of the camera on the adjustment bar (C). The basic principle in panoramic photography is to take each shot from the same turning point. This central axis is called nodal point. If the nodal point is not accurately set, the perspectives of the images do not match.
2.1 Setting up the VR Drive Panorama Set (continued) Step 7: Setting the nodal point (continued) Select two points that lie behind each other in space. Ideal are vertical lines (for instance of houses, poles, pillars etc.). Look through the viewfinder of your digital camera. Position the camera, mounted on the VR Drive, in such a way that both lines are exactly aligned. The line should be either on the very left or very right of the viewfinder / screen.
2.1 Setting up the VR Drive Panorama Set (continued) Step 8: Setting the digital camera Connect the release cable into the camera and plug it into the socket for the release cable (1) on the VR Drive. Make sure that the plug points to the back of the camera and not to the front, as otherwise it may be visible in the image for spherical images. As light and distance values in a 360° rotation vary greatly, the automatic light meter and autofocus of the digital camera must be turned off.
2.2 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images 2.2.1 Cylindrical panoramas A cylindrical panorama is created with a single row of images and a wide-angle lens. The camera is attached vertically to the VR Head, which allows a maximum vertical field of view and resolution. End product: internet, multimedia, print Media: flat panorama or presented in a viewer (QTVR, flash, java, shockwave etc.
2.2 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images (continued) 2.2.2 Spherical panoramas A spherical panorama – 180x360° – is created with a multiple rows of images and a wide-angle lens or with a single row of images and a fisheye lens. End product: internet, multimedia, 3D animations Media: presented in a viewer (QTVR, flash, java, shockwave etc.) Multi-row means that the camera is tilted up- and downwards in its nodal point for several series of image-taking (rows).
2.2 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images (continued) 2.2.3 Number of images to create the panorama Several factors define the number of images required to create the panorama: - Camera and size of digital sensor - Choice of lens (focal length) - Choice of overlap between images The sensor size varies widely from camera to camera. Here are some examples: APS-type sensors Full-frame sensors Digital back sensors 40.4 36.0 width 15.8 width width 24.0 53.9 23.
2.2 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images (continued) 2.2.3 Number of images to create the panorama (continued) The choice of lens is the and the overlap between images are also important factors to calculate the number of images required for the panorama. The smaller the focal length, the greater the field of view. With a longer focal length, more images are required to complete the panorama. We recommend a horizontal and vertical overlap of 30% between images.
2.2 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images (continued) 2.2.3 Number of images to create the panorama (continued) Spherical panoramas (180x360°, camera in vertical position) 0°, tilt +45°, +90° (one image), -45°, -90° (one image)) Spherical with fisheye lens focal length, mm camera APS 0° Nikon D300 full-frame 0° Nikon D3 10.
2.2 Cylindrical and spherical panoramas & number of images (continued) 2.2.3 Number of images to create the panorama (continued) The above results are estimates / guidelines. The calculations are optimised for minimum amount of images required. The focal length (on a zoom lens) can vary slightly and digital sensors have slightly different dimensions. Also, different stitching programs have distinctive algorithms for the point detection and rendering/blending of the panorama.
2.3 Quality mode In the „quality mode“ the VR Drive stops the camera for every position of imagetaking, allowing maximum quality while allowing the full range of exposure speeds. This mode also enables bracketing and manual release of the camera. Activate the VR Drive by pressing the start/stop button (5) for one second. Select the VR Drive functions with the mode button (6). The function that can be changed is indicated with a flashing or permanent symbol.
2.3 Quality mode (continued) 2.3.3 Release signal time (T3) Press the mode button (6) to activate time function 3. „T“ starts to blink on the first line and the number „3“ appears on the second line of the display. Set the release signal time of the camera with the selection buttons up (7) or down (8): 0.5s, 1.0s up to 300 seconds in 1 and 10 second steps. This release signal time must be greater than the shutter speed of the camera for every image. For example, if the shutter speed of the camera is 1.
2.3 Quality mode (continued) 2.3.4 Degrees of panorama Press the mode button (6) to activate the degree function. The angle symbol starts to blink on the second line of the display. Set the angle with the selection buttons up (7) or down (8) in 45° steps: 0°, 45°, 90°, 135° 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, 360°, 405°, 450°, 540°, 630°, 720°. For a full circular digital panorama enter „360“. To program the VR Drive to rotate continuously (non-stop) without image taking select „0°“. 2.3.
2.3 Quality mode (continued) 2.3.6 Ramp Press the mode button (6) to activate the ramp function. The „r“ symbol appears on the second line and the image icon starts to blink on the third line of the display. Set the smoothness of rotation. For a given rotation time the ramp adjusts the speed of acceleration and deceleration with: r=1 fastest adjustment r=9 slowest adjustment Most rotation speed change can be observed when selecting a fast rotation speed (for example: 4s) and a fast adjustment (r=1).
2.3 Quality mode (continued) 2.3.8 Bracketing Press the mode button (6) to activate the bracketing function. The „brA“ symbol appears on the second line of the display. Choose from the following bracketing options: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 Bracketing steps Exposure (in f-stops) -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 1 3 5 7 9 HDR panorama Instead of using the camera‘s multi-shot capability and an extended shutter signal time (T3) it is also possible to create an HDR panorama by using the VR Drive bracketing function.
2.3 Quality mode (continued) 2.3.9 Timer Press the mode button (6) to activate the timer function. The „timer“ symbol starts to blink on the first line of the display and the 10 second timer is activated. Press the start/stop button (5) to start the VR Drive with the 10 second timer. To deactivate the timer, press the start/stop button (5) or the down/power off button (8) for approximately 3 seconds 2.3.10 Manual release of the camera Press the mode button (6) to activate the manual mode.
2.4 Speed mode In the „speed mode“ the VR Drive rotates non-stop and releases the camera „on the fly“. This mode is ideal for very fast image-taking. Because of the rotation movement, only the fastest camera shutter speeds are possible. Bracketing an manual release of the camera are deactivated in this mode. Activate the VR Drive by pressing the start/stop button (5) for one second. Select the VR Drive functions with the mode button (6).
2.4 Speed mode (continued) 2.4.2 Speed mode selection (T2) Press the mode button (6) a second time. „T“ starts to blink on the first line and the number „2“ appears on the second line of the display. By choosing selection button down (8) set this time to 0s. With this setting the VR Drive will release the camera non-stop („on the fly“). Select 0s. If not the VR Drive will be set into the “quality mode” which will stop and release the camera in every position. 2.4.
2.4 Speed mode (continued) 2.4.3 Release signal time (T3) (continued) For example, when setting the rotation time T1 to 8s and the release signal time (T3) to 0.3s, a maximum of 28 images can be released in a 360° rotation. Test your digital camera to find the minimum release signal time and check if the camera releases evenly.
2.4 Speed mode (continued) 2.4.6 Repeat Press the mode button (6) to activate the repeat function. The „rEP“ symbol appears on the second line and the image icon starts to blink on the third line of the display. Choose from the following repeat options: rep 0 = no repetition rep 1 = repeats the sequence from the start position rep 2 = repeats the sequence from end position With rep 2 or rep 3 the sequence will be repeated non-stop. Stop the image taking sequence by pressing the start / stop button (5). 2.4.
3. Roundshot VR Drive Object Movie Set Image: „Digitale Panoramen“, Springer Verlag, Corinna Jacobs An object movie is a 3D animation, whereby the object rotates up to 360° around its axis. The images for this animation are captured with a Roundshot VR Drive Object Movie Set and a digital camera. 3.1 Setting up the VR Drive Object Movie Set Attach the 120mm turntable on top of the VR Drive motor with the provided screw.
4. Maintenance & Warranty 4.1 Recharging the VR Drive The VR Drive is powered by 4 long-lasting rechargeable MiMh batteries. The battery status is indicated permanently on the display. Recharge it with the universal speed charger supplied with the VR Drive. Connect the charger to a power source (110-220V) and plug the cable into the socket for the charger cable (4). The normal recharge time is 2 hours (green blinking LED). As soon as the charging process is complete,the LED changes to constant green.
4.4 International warranty Your Roundshot VR Drive is covered by the international 2-year Seitz warranty. The warranty is stored in our database. If there is any malfunction or defect of the equipment we will repair it at no cost. The warranty extends to technical defaults that are not caused by inproper use, damage by transportation or other defaults not related to the manufacturing of the VR Drive. The warranty is void if the equipment has not been handled with care (for example, if it has been dropped).
5. Technical Data Technical changes reserved. Instruction Manual Roundshot VR Drive - version 4.0 – January 2010 - © by Seitz Phototechnik AG / Switzerland www.roundshot.
Impressum Copyright 2010 by Seitz Phototechnik AG Hauptstr. 14 8512 Lustdorf / Switzerland ph: +41 52 376 33 53 email: seitz@roundshot.ch www.roundshot.ch Technical changes reserved January 2010 Instruction Manual Roundshot VR Drive - version 4.0 – January 2010 - © by Seitz Phototechnik AG / Switzerland www.roundshot.
