8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

RaduP

926

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #10 on: 06 / July / 2009, 19:00:24 »

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Depending on the resolution and quality needed, you can get away with using cheap cameras with fixed focus and no zoom, with those EyeFi cards. You can trigger the shutter by hacking them and running wires from their shutter switch to one switch shared by all (or some relay).

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databoy

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #11 on: 06 / July / 2009, 21:17:46 »

And finally:
What have I forgotten to ask?

Is this a commercial money making operation?

I am very cynical when people post on a forum asking for technical help.
You are not short of a dollar to implement the technical setup you have posted.
All the technical design work and electronic circuits are available on the net.
It is very easy to make a pan/tilt gimbal setup for multi-array high speed turret rotator to capture instant images.

Maybe if you posted the full technical specifications and the application someone could point you in the right direction.

Finding someone to build it for nothing is something else.

« Last Edit: 06 / July / 2009, 22:13:09 by databoy »

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janmartin

23

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #12 on: 19 / July / 2009, 13:45:18 »

databoy, everybody,

this research is for the DIYstreetview.org open-source not-for-profit project I started in July 2009.

However I gave up on building a 360 degree one-shot camera array by myself, and ordered the P-360M25 one shot 360 degree panorama camera instead. It's available "ready to use". Main reason is to keep the entry barrier as low as possible. Not everybody has the skills, time and tools needed to build a camera array from scratch.

You are welcome to follow the advance at DIYstreetview.org.

Jan

P.S.:
I am especially looking for someone to help me adapting panosalado.com flash panorama viewer for streetview experience. Actionscript skills are needed.

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DIY-streetview.org - Do It Yourself streetview!

Microfunguy

4037

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #13 on: 19 / July / 2009, 13:58:54 »

Interesting .... but 2MP is very low resolution for a 360 degree panorama, especially for the price.

It will be interesting to see what results you get.

Good luck !

David

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janmartin

23

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #14 on: 19 / July / 2009, 15:34:56 »

Yes, I am well aware of the relatively low resolution.
Therefore I purchased an upgrade option that will upgrade the camera from 2 MP to 3 MP by exchanging the lens for a better one, as soon as it becomes available. Until then the sensor will not be used at its full capacity and deliver 2 MP only.

Regarding the resolution/price:
What ready-to-use camera would you suggest?
Remember this is for a cars rooftop, and needs to be one-shot.
I am open for suggestions.

Jan

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DIY-streetview.org - Do It Yourself streetview!

Microfunguy

4037

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #15 on: 19 / July / 2009, 16:26:10 »

Sunex make fish-eye lenses with an M12x0.5mm thread that is commonly used on webcams.
However, some still cameras also use that thread internally.
I have some of these 'no-name' cameras (and the Sunex lens).

There is a camera that fits on a bicycle helmet that also uses M12 lenses.

If you cannot find it, I will check my files.

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janmartin

23

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #16 on: 19 / July / 2009, 22:33:32 »

Sounds like a good approach for the build-your-own-camera-array.

These would be the Sunex link?

http://www.optics-online.com/dsl_fisheye.asp

The first 4 lenses are "super fisheye lens" with a H-FOV bigger than 180 degrees to provide overlapping for stitching 2 images together for a full panorama.

Mounting 2 of them back-to-back using circuit-board cameras would probably make a nice setup for immersion video/still pictures?

May I ask what lens you are using exactly and if if your work is available online?

Also unaltered examples (by mail to jan AT diystreetview DOT org) would be very nice.

Thanks,
Jan

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Microfunguy

4037

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #17 on: 20 / July / 2009, 07:38:57 »

Quote from: janmartin on 19 / July / 2009, 22:33:32

May I ask what lens you are using exactly

Sunex 227A on a vertically-orientated camera with a 3MP sensor.
I do know the camera (that cost 10 GBP !) is made by DXG.
It is not shown on their site, which I cannot access at present :-

http://www.dxgtech.com/

The nearest I can find is Ebay item # 280367898333

However, that has a mechanical shutter so probably does not have an M12 lens.

Quote

your work is available online?

No, I do not have a website.

Quote

Also unaltered examples

I will try to do it today.

How will you record the images from a board camera ?

David

« Last Edit: 20 / July / 2009, 07:47:09 by Microfunguy »

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janmartin

23

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #18 on: 20 / July / 2009, 13:01:33 »

I thought about using a netbook ( I own a Asus Eee PC 901) or a notebook. Also "smart" cameras that run an embedded Linux is an (probably to pricey) option.

Netbook/Notebook is the most likely thing to happen. I am heading for a modular design that enables people to combine various components they might already have. And that evolve independently from my www.DIYstreetview.org project.

The main goal is to concentrate on combining and adapting existing hardware as well as open source software and keep building and coding to the bare minimum. Because everything we custom build/code we then have to maintain, so it better be worth it.

Btw. I wrote to Sunex asking for suggestions for a lens/circuit-board combination and example images. And if they are aware of anyone doing something similar already.

Jan

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mgg

16

Re: 8 camera array for 360 degree panorama possible?

« Reply #19 on: 31 / December / 2010, 16:57:27 »

YES!

Actually, I've built and use an 8 camera array using SD400's and CHDK. It has been an interesting process. The resulting stitched images end up around 23-24 Mpixels. There are parallax issues, some can be avoided by careful positioning of the camera or worked out in the stitching process. I also own a Gigapan which I used for high-res, but static images but my Pan-O-Cam is great for dynamic scenes.

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