Photofocus

UPDATE:

I ordered one of these units. The website says the unit will support a Nikon D90. That camera is specifically on the approved list. When I received the GigaPan and mounted the D90 with nothing larger than a 50mm F/1.8 lens, the platform on the GigaPan flexed and began listing to the right, making it impossible to get a level shot. It’s clear that there is a design flaw. The Epic100 is simply not sturdy enough to support many a D90 and I assume, many other DSLRs would be too heavy for the unit as well. If you want to use a point and shoot camera with something like this, buy the original GigaPan. If you want to use a DSLR, I’d suggest passing on the Epic100 unless you know for sure it will support your camera/lens combo. I might also add that it took the company an average of four days to respond to each of my emails to their customer service team.

GigaPan Systems, maker of the GigaPan Epic robotic camera mount introduced in January, has released the second model in the GigaPan Epic series, the Epic 100. The new model is specially designed to accommodate a broad range of larger point and shoot digital cameras, as well as several smaller DSLR cameras, and includes new features for capturing detailed gigapixel panoramas.

The Epic 100 includes all the same functionality of the original Epic and also offers an expanded range for tilt and elevation of camera for setting panorama parameters and an illuminated display for shooting nighttime panoramas. The Epic 100 works with several smaller DSLR cameras and has a maximum weight limit of three pounds.

For both Epic models, GigaPan utilized technology originally developed by NASA for the Mars Rover to bring advanced high-resolution photography to a wide market. With the Epic and Epic 100, amateur and professional photographers can create visually stunning images with a point and shoot digital camera. Thousands of GigaPan images are available to explore on the sharing site, http://www.gigapan.org, including the famous image created by professional photographer David Bergman of President Obama’s inaugural address.

How the GigaPan System Works

First, a digital camera is attached to the Epic, a robotic mount that automates the picture taking process. Next, the hundreds or thousands of resulting images are downloaded to a computer and the GigaPan Stitcher software automatically combines them into a panorama. Then the GigaPan.org Web site makes it easy to post GigaPan panoramas for sharing with a global community and the GigaPan Viewer allows people to zoom in and out to explore the panoramas in detail.

Embedding Wizard

Amazing GigaPan images can be easily incorporated into Web sites and blogs, creating interactive multimedia content to view, explore and share.

Pricing and Availability

The GigaPan Epic and Epic 100 robotic camera mounts include the integrated GigaPan Stitcher software and GigaPan Viewer for interactive, online viewing. The GigaPan Epic sells for $379 and the GigaPan Epic 100 for $449. A full list of cameras the Epic and Epic 100 support can be found here:
http://gigapansystems.com/compatible-cameras.html
.

______________________________________________

This site is made possible by sponsorship from:
Lensbaby