Hi,

I would like to know what do I need to make a virtual tour in a fullscreen with a high solution? I have a coolpix nikon 8700 with a fisheye lens (2 shoots cylindrical panorama). When I see on fullscreen doesnt look like good. Whats the problem? The camera? The lens?

thanks

Hi Martin

First of all you will have to start shooting a lot more images then just 2. With the nikon 8700 and fc e9 lense, the minimum is 3 shots every 120 degree.

At every 120 degree you should begin bracketing so you have a lot of photos. Some under exposed and some over exposed. Then you should consider a program like Photomatix (find it here: http://www.hdrsoft.com/ )

After you have stitched you will have to run the final image through Photoshop to improve it.

You will get a long way by improving your skills, and it is actually possible to make full screen stuff with your set up. You can see one that I have made with the same set up here: http://www.wideeyes.dk/temp/politikken/folketinget.swf

My suggestion would be to start reading a lot of the posts in here and for your next investment you might consider getting some lessons from our trusted master Smooth who is an active forum member.

Good reply comment   Wide-Eyes.  I was holding off answering this comment for a while.

Thanks

Thanks Dave.

Then I just hope that Martin can use the answer as well. Otherwise I assume that he will be asking for more help

Best regards

Morten

Thanks a lot for your explanation. I understand everything. Like Morten said I need more help from you guys.

Im going to make some investments for my equipment next week and I would like if you can get some suggestion for better camera, rotator and tripod. Today like I said I have a Coolpix 8700 (8megapixels). Does make some differency if I have a better camera? If yes, can you suggest one? I have a ipix rotator that is impossible to take 3 shoots. Can you send me a link where I can buy one that take more shoots? Today I use a Manfrotto tripod can I use the same?

Thanks a lot!!

ale

:o)

Hi Again

I am sorry for the late reply, but I have been away on holiday.

When you upgrade your equipment you shold consider either a Sigma 8mm fish eye lense or the nikkor 10,5mm lense. And you should also consider a new dslr camera. TO be able to help you better it would be great to know

1) What is your budget? (there is no need to suggest something that you can not afford)

2) What market are you targeting?? (eg if you have to do realtor tours youll need a set up that allows a quick workflow with few pictures, but if you target hotels this is so as important)

LEt me know and I will try to advice you in wich direction to go.

Best regards

Morten

My Nikon 990 would not do raw but normal format yes, so I suspect your 8700 can too even with .NEF, but in a different work flow.

from Dpreview http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp8700/page5.asp

Exposure Compensation ... [+/-] button. Hold this button and rotate the command dial to select exposure compensation in the range of -2.0 EV to +2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps. 

Manual Exposure

In manual mode you can select both shutter speed and aperture (switch between the two by tapping the MODE button). A value display on the control panel will indicate how much the image would be under or over exposed with a particular exposure setting as well as an on-screen exposure meter. Also, available in Manual Exposure mode are BULB exposures, with this, the shutter will stay open for as long as the shutter release button is held, up to a maximum of 5 minutes. *

Besure to determine and set the AWB white balance for the ambiant lighting.. cloudy, Daylight, Incandescent, flourescent

For shooting bracketing Nikon raw .nef's maybe your 8700 can not do "Automatic exposure bracketing"  AEB but have you considered taking Manual bracketing ?

I am really guessing here but rotate the dial to M or manual.  Set the camera to  aperture f/stop to read f/8. 

click stop 1

Dial the shutter speed to 0 [mid mark] for normal exposure on the EV scale take your first image.

-2..-1...0..+1...+2 
             | 

Dial the EV scale index mark to -2   or two stops underexposed. 

Dial the EV scale index mark to +2 or two stops over exposed.

Rotate the camera to click stop 2  Wash, rinse and repeat for click stop 3 and so on.

You are doing the same thing dSLRs can do with automatic exposure bracketing.. just alittle more finger work.

Are we having fun yet ???

Using 1 raw .NEF  and generating a TIF at normal EV,  same raw generating 2 more  - 2 and +2 exposure values? 

Hmmm if your .NEF is already exposed properly.. why split it into 3 images and then recombine them back into a single image again?