Hi everyone, I've been looking at virtual tour/still shot solutions for a little while now, and it seems like easypano is a safe choice for the software end of things.  However, I had a few questions on hardware.  I am really looking at the Nikon Coolpix 5400 and the Canon Powershot G5.  I've heard better reviews about the G5 as an actual camera, but seem to have trouble finding a fisheye lens for it other than the one offered by ipox.  I wasn't able to find any support for either of them with the kaidan for the quickpan cs III.  I read the the recommended hardware is the Nikon Coolpix 4500+Nikkon FC-E8+Kaidan QuickPan III CS, but is this still up to date?  Can anyone give examples of hardware setups they are using and their likes/dislikes?

Much thanks to anyone that can help.

Hi scd67,

Mate, safer to stick with Nikon gear as it is well supported and many users here to help with settings etc. My suggestion is for a CP4500 or CP5000 with FC-E8.

If you really wish to be up to date I would skip the CP5400 & CP5700 in favour of the CP8700 and FC-E9 and MrotatorB Panohead.

You need to remember that the later are much, much bigger and bulkier camera lens set ups to carry around. If your target work is for "normal" panorama's sized at around 400 x 300 the older CP9XX and CP4500 - CP5000 FC-E8 combo will do the job very well (and save you a heap of cash!) I would recommend the MrotatorA panohead from www.agnos.com best value for money (Site is not english! But email agnos direct he will reply), though the Kaidan Quickpan CSIII is also very good (much larger and heavier!). Both the CP4500 and CP5000 offer very good still shots also.

Oh! the shots shown on my website are done with CP4500 + FC-E8 + Kaidan Quickpan CSIII & the Full Screen shots with Canon 10D + Sigma 8mm + Kaidan Quick Pan Twin Axis Panohead. See Here. I have since done some with Mrotator Panohead and I'm very happy using this panohead (Much smaller & lighter) I must get around to uploading them!

I hope this helps you with your decision.

Feel free to contact me via my website.

Regards, Smooth

g'day smooth,

thanks for the insightful answers   Checked out agnos (god bless google translator) and even was able to navigate around a little.  Gonna send you an email to dig a little more info out of you.  Everyone still please feel free to reply if you can add to this.

I agree with Smooth wholeheratedly.

My take on the industry is mainly laid out in two factions. Those with the above setup options or the DSLR crowd that tend to go the Canon or Nikon route... though The Fuji S2 also seems popular. (The main benefit of following the beaten track being standardisation and knowledge base... as well as price/value)

There are other options... though I kinda feel that there's little point to go to far off the beaten track... unless of course u wanna do large scale/print work.... then u gotta revise ur views and cams, kit, software anyhow and get real specialised.

thanks phoenix,

I won't be delving much into the print work, at least not anytime soon, so I will stick with both of your advice to follow the beaten trail.