Inexpensive device to take 360 photos

[Patrick80639]

Inexpensive device to take interior 360 degree photos

This could be an inexpensive way to capture a vehicle's entire interior. It's called a Sony Bloggie MHS-PM5. Like a flip camera, but has a 360 degree lens! If I read the article right, I think this device would prove to be very useful.

Sony's Flip Competitor Spins 360-degree Footage | Popular Science=

 

[Jeff Kershner]

bloggieâ„¢ MP4 Cameras | Sony | Sony Style USA

Yeah, I have had my eyes on one of these cameras.

Alex, did you not get one of these for Christine?

 

[Alex Snyder]

Yep, that's what she has.

 

[joe.pistell]

Alex,

Can you send along a URL to see what this looks like?

 

[Alex Snyder]

Jeff put the URL to the camera in his post. We aren't using this as a 360 interior device; instead, Christine uses the Sony for impromptu video clips. The difference between this and a flip is that the Sony takes actual still photos and the video head reverses so you can easily film yourself.

What Patrick posted would be a very nice addition to the Sony

 

[AutoArchitech]

We are testing it with the Home Net software at this point. Looks like it will work very well. I thought 360 interior shots were no longer popular...

 

[KoreyB]

Don't see the point in taking 360 degree stills when you can take video. You can do still from Flip, but only in the editing software...which is a pain. That's where the Sony has the advantage.

 

[Mitch Gallant]

I could be completely wrong but I think a 360 photo of the actual vehicle would hold a ton of value, unlike a video, which is alive and activates the senses, a 360 spin can take a customer to exactly what they want to see and allow them to focus and obsess over a feature, like the driver seat where they'll be sitting. You're still engaged in a dynamic experience - you can pan around where ever you want. As a customer I would feel as though I've thoroughly inspected the vehicle even more so then with a video, where you're at the mercy of the camera man and the grainy image if you pause on a feature.

As a dealer we don't have a process in place for videos let alone 360 interior and exterior spins of the actual vehicle... just pie in the sky.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

I think video will always surpass photos BUT video take a lot more work and I there is a threshold for then the quality of the video (editing, content and quality) is not engaging enough to where I would rather see photos of the vehicle.

Wonder what ever happened to Microsofts photosynth

 

[ghen]

The only way to do this type of picture with existing equipment would be through stitching many pictures together using software. At that point you could let the image stand, or feed it into a flash based program for the cool spinning motion. The software would also add lens effects to the edges to make it seem circular.

You'd need a camera with a wide angle lens, a tripod you could use in the car to steady your shots, and a computer geek

This site goes into the details on the concept: What Is A 360 Degree Panoramic Photo And How To Make One