The Ricoh Theta V 360º Camera

I always look for something different in photography wether it’s the method of taking a photo or even the equipment.

Recently I saw the Ricoh on the web and my curiosity was peaked. This camera can do 360 images as well as video!

I asked, and Ricoh sent me a demo unit to try for two weeks. I was surprised that it came accompanied only by a case and usb cable

it didn’t even have instructions! 

But with only 2 lenses and 4 buttons, I figured it was simply designed and therefore would be simple to operate. I was right!

Basically you turn it on, choose video or stills and shoot. It really is that simple. But since there is no screen or viewfinder using it without linking it to a phone or tablet is like shooting from the hip. Although you really dont know what your shooting, you still get everything because of the 360º functionality.

The unit is bluetooth and can connect to a phone or tablet and thats where this really gets interesting. The app allows you to control the camera, see before you shoot as well as view and share the images. There are numerous settings and the camera can be set for manual or automatic modes. The app is also necessary to view in 360º and its needed to share to the Ricoh site or Facebook or Twitter. The app also has the instructions on how to use the camera. 

Note that simply importing the images from the camera to your favorite photo software will make you loose the the 360 rotation but you will still have a full flat image. 

Importing to your phone or tablet is gives you much more than importing to your computer.  There are two Theta apps one as I mentioned before to control and download from the camera and a second which is a editing app. It does some cool stuff like creating a animated video from your still shots.  Similar to the Tiny Planet app.

The first thing I noticed when looking at the photos is my hand was in all of them. The cameras software is designed to hide the camera but not necessarily your hand. So using a stick, a small tripod or something that puts your hand below the camera is a good idea. I took subsequent photos using a phone tripod as a stick and also tried it on a painters pole. Both worked well.

This camera is a great way to capture everything that going on!  Take a look at the sample images below and also the ones on the Theta site 

Sample of a flattened JPG

Click here to see the 360º Version

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Key Features

• Capture 360° 4K videos and 12MP photos, and live stream 360° 4K footage

• Built-in 4-channel microphone with high-quality and seamless transition recording 

• 19GB of internal memory

• Includes THETA app for iOS/Android

• Designed to combine dual images with minimal stitching artifacts

• Optional 3D 360° spatial microphone and underwater housing supported

Video Resolution

• 3840 x 1920 at 29.97 fps / 56 Mbps in H.264 

• 1920 x 960 at 29.97 fps / 16 Mbps in H.264 

Photo Resolution

• 5376 x 2688 (12MP) 

Live Streaming Resolution

• 3840 x 1920 at 29.97 fps / 120 Mbps in H.264 

• 1920 x 960 at 29.97 fps / 42 Mbps in H.264 

Twin-Lens Folded Optical System

• Two wide-angle lenses, each with 7 elements in 6 groups

• f/2.0 aperture

Recording Capacity

• Approximately 4800 photos

• Total Video Recording Time: 40 minutes in 4K, 130 minutes in 2K

Battery Life

• Approximately 300 photos

• 80 minutes of video

Capture Modes

• Photo: Auto, Shutter Priority, ISO Priority, Manual

• Video: Auto

• Live Streaming: Auto

Exposure Control Modes

• Program AE 

• Shutter Speed Priority AE

• ISO Sensitivity AE

• Manual Exposure

Wireless LAN Transfer Speeds

• 2.4 GHz (20 Mbps)

• 5 GHz (50 Mbps)

Geekoto CT25Pro Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod

Written by Ines Vieira

Edited by Joe Pellicone

Have you ever shopped for a tripod and just walked away confused.  There are so many different makes and models not to mention the expensive prices.  Well a company called Geekoto is joining in the competition and their tripods are turning heads because of their quality and low prices.

We had the opportunity to take a look at one of their lightweight multifunction Carbon Fiber Tripods. The Geekoto CT25Pro.

My first reaction to this tripod was wow it’s super light. You can easily pick it up with one finger which means for city shoots and travel it is ideal.  The height is perfect, and it is easy to extend and operate.

Using it with a DSLR and a 24-70 2.8 it handled well and felt sturdy. This tripod easily converts into a monopod for those times you need that extra sturdiness but a tripod may not be allowed. Another plus is that you can also use that monopod as a hiking pole to help reach those breathtaking spots to shoot.

While I haven’t used it many times or in all weather conditions, I am impressed in how it performs, especially in comparison to other well known brands whose price is much higher. 

I can’t wait to put it to more use and see how well it handles.

Priced at $149.00 it includes a ball head, tools and a carry bag! There is a lot of value here for the money!  

If your looking for a very light weight tripod, this is definitely worth a look.

Details and Specs:

LIGHT WEIGHT: Super light! A new generation of high-density carbon fiber tube, with rigid intensity, shockproof, heat, and corrosion resistance.

CONVENIENT: From 25’’ to 79’’ Flexible Adjustment.4-section column legs with quick release flip-locks allows you to adjust the working height from 25’’ to 79’ in seconds. Winner in height!

COMPACT: The tripod legs can be inverted and folded back 180 degree,giving it a compact size of 19", making it small enough to carry everywhere.

TRANSFORM: This tripod can be quickly disassembled with the central axis screw and transform into a monopod, providing an alternative way of shooting with ease.

STABLE: Column counter weight hook, located in the bottom of the center-column, allows you to hang additional weight for increased stability.

Tripod:

Material: High-density Aluminum alloy

Max Load Capacity: 26.5lbs / 12kg

Max Height: 79’’ / 2006 mm

Min Height: 24.4’’ / 620 mm

Storage Length: 24.4’’ / 620 mm

Locking method: Metal spiral

Number of Leg Sections: 4

Max Tube Diameter: 25 mm

Mix Tube Diameter: 16 mm

Weight: 3.4lbs / 1.54kg (Includes Ball-head)

You can read more about the details of this tripod and order direct right  here

You can also see it on Amazon and get some customer feedback there too at this LINK

Are you subscriber of Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop Creative Cloud?  If so are you taking advantage of all the Apps and additional software that’s included?

I think that many photographers are unaware that some of these extras even exist!

First let’s look at apps. 

Take a look at the two attached screenshots from my iPad.  Theses are the included apps I have chosen to download and there are more!
Note that some of theses apps are free to everyone and do not even require a Adobe subscription.
But almost all of them will integrate into your CC subscription allowing you to create things on the go with your tablet or phone and then automatically have those creations waiting for you when you open CC on your desktop!  

What’s BIG in apps?
Well for one thing The LR app has a camera that lets you shoot in raw with your phone or tablet and has a ton of professional settings so you, not the phone are in control of your camera.

Need to make a quick PS brush? Use the app and its ready for you in PS with a few clicks. Just take a photo of anything and poof it’s a instant brush.

Capture and Scan let you copy documents (including photos)

It's worth downloading and trying all the apps to see if they are beneficial for you!

Then there are the other things a lot of subscribers don't seem to know about.

A FREE WEBSITE
Did you know that included in your subscription is Adobe Portfolio which is basically a website that you can customize yourself and show off your photography!

Also there is Behance which does something similar and allows you to share your content over the Adobe network.

If you are using LR Desktop versions you should sync with LR CC this opens up a whole new world allowing you to view and share whats on your LR Catalogs on your phone and anywhere you have internet.

I hope that you have found some apps and info that are beneficial to help you make more use of your Adobe CC Subscription.

New Items from SPIDER HOLSTER

Years ago when it was first introduced I bought a Spider Holster and attachments for both my cameras.  This system quickly became my favorite way to carry a camera.  Unfortunately a bout with bladder cancer put a kibosh on on the use of this.  Fast forward to last week when I was offered a chance to try a new way to use Spider gear with the SpiderLight Backpaker Kit and new Arca Swiss compatible plate.

The unit easily snaps on to just about any back pack strap and comes with adaptors to hold either a camera or a GoPro.

But the real test is wearing it.  Simply said its comfortable to wear the camera does not bounce around and the extra added feature of the security velcro strap helps to keep it secure.  Im happy to say that this is a really nice way to carry a camera

.

What I really love is that all the camera plates are now Arca Swiss compatible.  WOW this is huge no more changing plates when you want to use a tripod.

The folks at Spider Holsters put a lot of thought into these new products.  Its theses kinds of small touches that make every day life easier for photographers

Take a look at all the items from Spider at https://spiderholster.com

Watch this video on how to use the system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWbiGjTubDY

Are you a Fuji User? Do you love PhotoPills?
check this out

Keywording In Lightroom

Lets talk a little bit about keyWording in Lightroom.

I know, its a pain and its time consuming, but keywording can save you a lot of time when your looking for a photos.

Another advantage to keywording individual photos is that when uploading to sites like Instagram*, and others the keywords you imbed go right along with your photos!  A real time saver!

* Note that you may need additional programs like LR/Mogrify or LR/Instagram to do this.

So what if you could keyword rapidly or even automatically?  You can with a free LR plugin called MyKeyworder and you can get it at  http://mykeyworder.com/lightroom

Its simple to install and and easy to use.  Just follow the instructions on their website.

give it a try.

WHAT you said you have THOUSANDS of photos?  Well you can cheat sort of.  Try renaming your LR Folders to contain one or two keywords like Zoo or Sunset or Beach.   This is not really keywording but it will work when you want to find photos quickly.

After import I rename my folders - I keep the date and add at tag like  Bronx Zoo or Jones Beach to the end of the date.   Then when I want to find those images I select the Main Parent folder in Library and in Grid Mode.  Then I click TEXT at the top and type in Zoo.  All the folders and images that hav that tag will appear.

MAKE SURE you rename your folders from within LR or you will find yourself in a BIG MESS!