5 cameras for panoramic?

Hey guys, I just had an idea about building a simple rig/stand that can hold 5 or so DSLRs (all in vertical position) all close together but in different angles. Each camera would be on a different swiveling arm so that I can spread them apart or bring them closer in as needed. I can attach each of my cactus triggers with shutter cord to each camera, and use another cactus to trigger them all at once. I can then merge them all together in PS later.

I have 4 other close friends who have their own 7D and we always lend our equipment to each other so having 5 7D cameras isn't a problem.

I always wanted to do nice panoramas at events/parties but found it difficult to do it manually with 1 camera as there are people always moving around.

Any thoughts on this? Are there any rigs already out there for sale? Also, if for any reason I could not get all of the same camera types (maybe couple 7D and 2 T3), would PS still be able to merge the photos together or would it not work due to different image sizes/resolution?

7d and T3i have the same megapixel resolution, just make sure they are all set to the same aspect ratio for example, 4:3. I have been wanting to do the same thing with a bunch of old A80 point and clicks. I could see how this would be useful in a setting were people are moving around and Im pretty sure that each camera would need to be spaced 30 degrees from the next. Of course you would want to also have the same type of lens on each camera as well. What is a cactus trigger btw?

Each camera would need the same prime on it in manual focus, any variation in focal length and focus point will impact your ability to stitch.
They would also all need to be shooting in M with the same exposure settings.

Otherwise no reason it wouldn't work, other than being complex to set up and operate.

calypsob wrote in post #15185019
7d and T3i have the same megapixel resolution, just make sure they are all set to the same aspect ratio for example, 4:3. I have been wanting to do the same thing with a bunch of old A80 point and clicks. I could see how this would be useful in a setting were people are moving around and Im pretty sure that each camera would need to be spaced 30 degrees from the next. Of course you would want to also have the same type of lens on each camera as well. What is a cactus trigger btw?

Cactus triggers are radio frequency triggers that attach to your camera's hotshoe. The cactus v5's recently came out and act both as a transmitter or receiver. Basically, I'll attach one to each camera's hotshoe, and I'll have another in my hand. From pushing a button on the trigger in my hand, all 5 cameras will have their shutters triggered at the same time

Moppie wrote in post #15185032
Each camera would need the same prime on it in manual focus, any variation in focal length and focus point will impact your ability to stitch.
They would also all need to be shooting in M with the same exposure settings.

Otherwise no reason it wouldn't work, other than being complex to set up and operate.

Yep, all would have the same exact lens, manual focus, etc. We'll figure out a build for the rig. Couple of my friends who are photographers are also engineers... so i'm sure they can come up with something decent. haha.

Be interesting to see how it works!

Remember to post photos of the build as you go

How are you going to deal with parallax error?

In a proper pano rig, you set it up so that the axis of rotation is around a point in the lens where the image flips, doing so makes all objects from close up shift the same distance when rotating the camera.

The different cameras will have different perspectives, and unless the subject matter is mostly from 20m to infinity (many landscapes), you'll have trouble stitching the image afterwards. To give you a quick idea of what I'm talking about, look at something that's close to you on your desk with one eye and rotate your head, the object you're looking at will be covering different parts of whatever is behind it depending on the angle. Now if you try to rotate your head around your eye, you'll be changing the direction you're looking at, but everything's going to stay in position.

This type of setup was what they used to get the "frozen panning" shots in the fight scenes in The Matrix movies...slightly different application and far bigger scale but your project still sounds interesting and I'm keen to see how you go!

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #15185587
How are you going to deal with parallax error?

In a proper pano rig, you set it up so that the axis of rotation is around a point in the lens where the image flips, doing so makes all objects from close up shift the same distance when rotating the camera.

The different cameras will have different perspectives, and unless the subject matter is mostly from 20m to infinity (many landscapes), you'll have trouble stitching the image afterwards. To give you a quick idea of what I'm talking about, look at something that's close to you on your desk with one eye and rotate your head, the object you're looking at will be covering different parts of whatever is behind it depending on the angle. Now if you try to rotate your head around your eye, you'll be changing the direction you're looking at, but everything's going to stay in position.

My friend experimented with our idea by placing 5 of our cameras on a podium on stage. Formed them in an even semi-circle and triggered all 5 to shoot at same time. Picture actually came out pretty nice.

Sounds like a cool idea, keep us posted.