Sony Lounge Thread MKIII (All Sony cameras welcome)

Charlie wrote in post #18402318
You're driving, ide bring it

Many models you can meet in LA

guess what? i threw it in the bag. i don't wanna regret.

OK, here's a 12mm simulation test I promised the other day (pano from Batis 18mm to simulate an actual 12mm lens). The scene and photo are terrible, which is good - would hate to waste a great scene on a mere test.

First is a capture with the actual 12mm lens (Laowa) and the Second image was captured with the Batis 18mm in portrait mode (4 frames @ 15 degree rotation and merged with Autopano Giga with Planar mapping type).

As you can see, the Autopano planar mapping does a fine job of completely rectifying the pano result.

Note that I cropped off the bottom to a 16:9 ration to cut off my nodal slide, which protrudes into the image. Also the images are not perfectly aligned, because I cropped the pano result a by just eye-balling the Laowa 12mm image.

Laowa 12mm:

David Arbogast wrote in post #18402325
That is awesome Alfredo...I'd love one of those.

Isn't it great? I wouldn't get their proprietary clamp and plate but the ball head is pretty sweet.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18402374
OK, here's a 12mm simulation test I promised the other day (pano from Batis 18mm to simulate an actual 12mm lens). The scene and photo are terrible, which is good - would hate to waste a great scene on a mere test.

First is a capture with the actual 12mm lens (Laowa) and the Second image was captured with the Batis 18mm in portrait mode (4 frames @ 15 degree rotation and merged with Autopano Giga with Planar mapping type).

As you can see, the Autopano planar mapping does a fine job of completely rectifying the pano result.

Note that I cropped off the bottom to a 16:9 ration to cut off my nodal slide, which protrudes into the image. Also the images are not perfectly aligned, because I cropped the pano result a by just eye-balling the Laowa 12mm image.

Laowa 12mm:

Batis 18mm pano:

The unstitched Batis 18mm frames (including nodal slide ):

Nicely done David. The pano with the Batis 18mm does have the same field of view of the 12mm. You'll also get better corner sharpness with the Batis. The only scenario I can think of where a true 12mm comes in handy are for those creative close-up shots. Something like a staircase comes to mind. For everything else, your method should yield great results.

Texas Live Oak

Batis 18

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/WFrf​Uu

digital_AM wrote in post #18402397
Nicely done David. The pano with the Batis 18mm does have the same field of view of the 12mm. You'll also get better corner sharpness with the Batis. The only scenario I can think of where a true 12mm comes in handy are for those creative close-up shots. Something like a staircase comes to mind. For everything else, your method should yield great results.

The Batis pano killed the Laowa in the corners, but I was surprised that when I downsampled the huge pano, it wasn't vastly sharper.

As successful as my experiments in 12mm simulation have been (done several tests with repeatable results), I don't think this is a workflow I want to in actual practice. I'd rather just have the focal length I want in one shot.

Now the question I need to answer is how wide do I really need/want?

David Arbogast wrote in post #18402405
The Batis pano killed the Laowa in the corners, but I was surprised that when I downsampled the huge pano, it wasn't vastly sharper.

As successful as my experiments in 12mm simulation have been (done several tests with repeatable results), I don't think this is a workflow I want to in actual practice. I'd rather just have the focal length I want in one shot.

Now the question I need to answer is how wide do I really need/want?

Yeah I could see stitching all the time to arrive at the desired wide focal length to be a time consuming process.

Maybe try the CV 15mm? I admit I love the sun stars from it and the size.

digital_AM wrote in post #18402407
Yeah I could see stitching all the time to arrive at the desired wide focal length to be a time consuming process.

Maybe try the CV 15mm? I admit I love the sun stars from it and the size.

When you mention the CV 15mm I immediately start thinking in terms of what Eddie's done by selling Batis 25mm and 18mm to go with the Loxia 21 and CV 15mm tandem. Highly appealing and I've been mulling it over a lot lately.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18402374
OK, here's a 12mm simulation test I promised the other day (pano from Batis 18mm to simulate an actual 12mm lens). The scene and photo are terrible, which is good - would hate to waste a great scene on a mere test.

First is a capture with the actual 12mm lens (Laowa) and the Second image was captured with the Batis 18mm in portrait mode (4 frames @ 15 degree rotation and merged with Autopano Giga with Planar mapping type).

As you can see, the Autopano planar mapping does a fine job of completely rectifying the pano result.

Note that I cropped off the bottom to a 16:9 ration to cut off my nodal slide, which protrudes into the image. Also the images are not perfectly aligned, because I cropped the pano result a by just eye-balling the Laowa 12mm image.

Laowa 12mm:

Batis 18mm pano:

The unstitched Batis 18mm frames (including nodal slide ):

Truth is for me both shots look great. I'm just lazy and would go the single lens route if I could.

vinmunoz wrote in post #18402301
that sucks!

Vinz really no app needed to get the 20fps which is what this camera is all about. Sure it
like even a pinhole camera can be pressed into servicing other photographic needs but apps
just not needed for its intended audience is my guess on what Sony's thinking was.
If they'd asked me it would have had at least an intervalometer built in.

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #18402419
Truth is for me both shots look great. I'm just lazy and would go the single lens route if I could.

Agree 100%. I've just been soul-searching deciding if my Batis 18mm is wide enough as my widest lens or if I want that 12-24 or 16-35 GM or CV 15.......

And also trying to decide if I want a kayak...got great waters to explore near me, but nothing to get me out on them.

Off topic: Are you driving your camper to GNP and YNP? Curious how far you drive it in day (how many days to get to GNP)?

David Arbogast wrote in post #18402409
When you mention the CV 15mm I immediately start thinking in terms of what Eddie's done by selling Batis 25mm and 18mm to go with the Loxia 21 and CV 15mm tandem. Highly appealing and I've been mulling it over a lot lately.

Let me know if you want the CV 15. I have a great copy that I'm probably putting up for sale soon.

Puckman wrote in post #18402441
Let me know if you want the CV 15. I have a great copy that I'm probably putting up for sale soon.

You have the e-mount version? Trying to steer clear of adapters going forward (exception at 35mm till Zeiss makes a Batis 35mm).

Yes Hiyo Silver (camper's name) will be headed to first stop Great Sand Dunes NP, direct shot, shift driving/marathon.....t​hen slowly work our way up through RMNP to Teton, then YNP then Glacier....back down to Badlands, Black Hills.
Have 25 days off but I bet it will go quickly.
Already scheming Hiyo's trip next may to the Canadian Maritimes when the Gannets and Puffins will be there.

David I'm unloading kayaks too. If you are ever my way you can test paddle at the cabin. 14 or 15 up there to choose from. Selling a Wilderness Systems Tempest 165 this Sunday....old people just need to downsize.

On the B18 I say not wide enough for huge landscapes but a good compromise between 14 and 24 for Milky Way=my rational and decent (not great speed) for stars BUT will it stop at infinity? That's why I ordered the Sharpstar to confirm or deny.....what's giving the B18 a home is its relative weight. You know how landscape I do but there has got to be something more in life than birds

reminds me. the $600 body cap i.e. the Sony-Zeiss 35/2.8 arrived yesterday. For walk-a-round, minus battery grip, I think
it will be a nice addition.
I know Ken Rockwells reputation precedes himself but I liked his review of this lens. Me always paranoid about weight can't fault
this lens at all......need to add a 40.5mm CPL.