One Shot Virtual Tour Optics
Information On: One shot panorama lenses and software. One shot QuickTime VR. Fisheye lens 360x180 VRs (IPIX and alternatives).
Since I was researching various one shot 360 lens systems, I thought I'd make this page for others to reference. I currently like the 0-360 unit the best (spec wise -- I don't own one yet), so here is their banner to click on:
ALSO: Buy a new Nikon Coolpix 5400 for $219
after rebate! (As of 2/9/05)
One Shot Virtual Tour Optics* Hardware
- 0-360 - $595 or so. Higher quality optics, and fancier (custom) software for Windows and Mac OS X. Excellent responses to e-mails. Metal. Field of View is also the best, based on that of a standing person and how they see.
- 360 One VR - $750 or so. Kaidan's device. Comes with a 'jar' to protect the lens, and PhotoWarp software. Field of view seems very good here to, but not as wide as the 0-360. (2002 MacWorld review)
- Egg Photo 360 - Not researched yet. ($350?) Neat looking package (like a light bulb). PC only, but website said Mac version was coming in 2nd quarter of 2002. I guess this market died since so many of these sites have not been updated since 2002! Plastic.
- SurroundPhoto - (Read My Review) $130 and up, and no per photo keys. Made by VRi in Canada, or perhaps someone else. Depending on what website you read. Two models - one that screws on the the camera with adapters, and another where you seem to point the camera into a "box" with a mirror that reflects up to the lens (allowing cameras who can't screw on to be used?). Software for Windows and Mac (Classic and Mac O SX). Plastic. (2002 MacWorld review) [See some of my sample images, all using default settings.]
- BeHere TotalView - Unresearched. Their optic is specifically supported in the PhotoWarp software.
| Lens | Made By | Cost | OS | Software | vFoV | Qual | BL |
| 0-360 | Bellissimo, Inc. | $595 | Win Mac X | 0-360 UnWrapper | 115 (52.5+62.5) | M/G+ | Yes |
| EyeSee 360 One VR | Kaidan | $750 | Win Mac9 X | Photo Warp | 100 (50+50) | $40 | |
| Egg Photo 360 / Egg 360 | Egg Solution | $350? | Win | Egg Photo 360 SE | 90 | P/P | |
| OneShot360 | Remote Reality | $495 | Win? | 90 (15+75) | P/P | ||
| SurroundPhoto | VR Interactive Corp.? | $130+ | Win/Mac | SurroundPhoto | 52 &104 | P/P? | No |
| BeHere TotalView |
- vFoV = Vertical Field of View - how much up and down of the image you can see from the lens. Numbers are how many degrees Above and Below (i.e. 15+75 is 15 degrees above, and 75 below).
- Qual = Quality of Construction - P/P (Plastic Body, Plastic
Lens), M/G (Metal Body, Glass Lens).
+ = lens optimized to make use of usable pixels in final image. - BL = Bubble Level - built in bubble level to insure a level horizontal image. ($=extra fee add-on.)
Software
- EyeSee360 - Makers of the software included by various lenses (PhotoWarp, $250).
Misc Links of Interest
- Panorama Photography How-To's - Some interesting information on how one shot panoramas work.
Comments
1/14/2005 - I just ordered the SurroundPhoto unit. We'll see how well it works. I plan to order a 0-360 unit as well, but they are out of stock right now, so this will have to wait...
1/18/2005 - Can of worms. Unlike my experimentation with 3-D video, VR panorama one-shot systems are turning into something quite different. Except for a list of a dozen or so 'tested' cameras (out of hundreds of models!), it's really difficult to find what will work with any given lens system. Low-end SurroundPhoto basically sells theirs for any camera it can physically point at, while higher end units like 0-360 are precision matched. This leaves me and my Sony DSC-W1 probably useless for quality one-shot VRs. Knowing what camera to buy is also problematic. One company lists cameras rates on specs (not all are actually tested, and may not really work), while others don't list specs for the very same reason (may not work). So, even if I wanted to buy a camera right now, I couldn't buy anything new -- it would have to be an older unit that was tested. And, personally, I kinda want to stick with Sony so I can keep my memory sticks (1GB, 256MB, fast chargers, etc.). We'll see what happens...
1/31/2005 - My SurroundPhoto lens arrived today. Included in the small box was the 360 reflector, support rod, lens attachment tube, hood (details later), and a software CD. The box seems to be leftover from original production runs as it mentions "instructions" which are now included on CD. Of note, the CD had a custom label with my name printed on it. Also, the mirror came with a small cloth pouch (with "surroundphoto.com" silk screened on it). I'll be posting a full review with pictures shortly...
2/3/2005 - I bought a Nikon Coolpix 5400 camera ($216 after rebate!) and the necessary lens adapters to connect the SurroundPhoto to it. Full review and details soon.
2/6/2005 - I have now taken and processed dozens of panoramas using the SurroundPhoto. Review coming shortly. Oh, how I wish I had the 0-360 unit!
2/8/2005 - I did some more test images from a tripod mounted SurroundPhoto. It's getting easier and better. I purchased a Bullseye Bubble Level from Ace Hardware ($3.29) to affix to the top of the optic, which should solve my remaining problem of getting the images level. (The 0-360 unit has the bubble level built in.) Samples to be posted shortly.
8/26/2005 - I am now starting to use the SurroundPhoto. Here are some sample photos I took, all using default software settings.
5/1/2007 - I have a whole series of SurroundPhotos taken at Disneyland two years ago that I need to process and post, but I'm just not motivated.
More to come as I learn... You can e-mail me at alsplace at pobox.com (but you will get a challenge e-mail back that you have to approve before the message will get to me).
* The term "One Shot 360" is apparently a Trademark of one of the manufacturers, so we'll try to stay generic and not use their brand name when referring to other products.
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