| Author |
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John Strait
| | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 9:56 am: |   |
V3 supports digital SLRs
Starting with V3.0 (released in June 2003), The Panorama Fully supports digital SLRs. The digital camera library is updated with current digital SLR models at each update release of The Panorama Factory.
If your digital SLR is not yet available in the camera library, you can still use The Panorama Factory by selecting "Other digital camera -- using focal length multiplier" or "Other digital camera using sensor dimensions". See Wizard step 2 - Describe your camera or Camera properties dialog box for more information about settings for digital SLRs.
Workarounds for digital SLRs in V2.4
The camera library in the V2.4 release of The Panorama Factory does not support digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses. There are several workarounds that may be used, depending upon the information available for your camera.
I am working on a new release of the software that will included digital SLRs in the camera library. Please remember that these workarounds are only necessary until the next release of the software.
Workaround when you know the sensor size
Some manufacturers of digital SLRs publish the size of the digital imaging sensor inside the camera. Examples of this type are the Canon EOS D60 and Nikon D100.
1. Select "Other film size (mm)" on Wizard Step 2 (V2.4) or on the Camera properties dialog (V1.6).
2. Enter the size of the camera imager in the text fields for the film dimensions.
For example:
3. Enter the actual focal length of the lens. Do not try to determine the "35mm equivalent focal length." Instead, just use the focal length value printed on the lens. You do not need to determine the "35mm equivalent focal length" because you have entered the actual size of the camera imager.
If you are using a zoom lens, you'll have to guess at the focal length value. For example, if you are using a 24-200 zoom at the most wide angle setting, enter 24mm (because your lens goes from 24mm to 200mm). If you aren't sure of the exact setting, don't worry--you can guess and then use the automatic focal length refinement.
4. Select the "Refine focal length while stitching" checkbox.
5. Select the "I am pretty sure of the focal length" or the "I guessed the focal length" radio button.
Workaround when you know the focal length multiplier
Some digital SLR manufacturers publish the focal length multiplier for their cameras. This is a multiplicative factor that relates the lens's true focal length to its 35mm equivalent focal length. (For more information, see What is "35mm equivalent focal length?".) Examples of this type are the Fuji FinePix S1 Pro and the Kodak DCS 720x.
1. Select "35mm" on Wizard Step 2 (V2.4) or on the Camera properties dialog (V1.6).
2. Multiply the focal length of your lens by the cameras focal length multiplier. Enter the result in the focal length field.
For example:
If you are using a zoom lens, you'll have to guess at the lens's focal length value. For example, if you are using a 24-200 zoom at the most wide angle setting, multiply 24mm by the focal length multiplier (since your lens goes from 24mm to 200mm). If you aren't sure of the exact setting, don't worry--you can guess and then use the automatic focal length refinement.
3. Select the "Refine focal length while stitching" checkbox.
4. Select the "I am pretty sure of the focal length" or the "I guessed the focal length" radio button.
Workaround when you do not know the sensor size or the focal length multiplier
If you can determine neither the sensor size nor the focal length multiplier, don't give up! The Panorama Factory's focal length refinement process can often determine the correct value even if you do not know the camera information.
1. Select "Digital camera" on Wizard Step 2 (V2.4) or on the Camera properties dialog (V1.6), but leave the model number blank.
2. Enter 40mm for the focal length.
3. Select the "Refine focal length while stitching" checkbox and "I guessed the focal length" radio button.
This procedure works most of the time because this permits The Panorama Factory to search for the correct 35mm focal length in the range 9mm to 71mm. This is a wide enough range to cover most situations.
If all else fails
If none of the preceding workarounds gives satisfactory results, you will need to determine the correct 35mm equivalent focal length manually.
See A manual procedure to determine focal length.
(Message edited by jstrait on April 12, 2004)
(Message edited by jstrait on April 12, 2004) |
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