Better Light Panoramic Camera System - Manual

1200 Industrial Rd., #17 • San Carlos, CA 94070-4129 • Phone: 650-631-3680 • Fax: 650-631-2915 • Email: [email protected]
THE WORLD'S ONLY
4X5 PANORAMIC
CAMERA SYSTEM
The Pano/WideView™ Adapter
when
used with the Better Light 4"x5" scanning back can
create panoramic, rollout and QTVR images. This
system can capture seamless 360 degree digital
panoramic scans and wide-view images of
adjustable aspect ratio, with wide or long lenses,
up to 8,000 x 65,000 pixels —
the largest digital
panoramic images currently possible.
Now, the same Better Light scan back can be used for standard image plane scans as well as for panoramic, rollout, 3D
objects or QuickTime VR imaging. The new Pano/WideView™ Adapter operates with any Better Light digital scanning back
(after a user-installed firmware update) and a 4x5 inch view camera or medium format adapter. A laptop computer and
portability option (rechargeable battery and carrying case) makes the camera suitable for any studio, location, or field
photography assignment.
The Better Light digital back captures pure Red, Green and Blue information for each pixel in resolution settings up to
8000 pixels in height. The resulting images can be well over 1GB and provide amazing detail and tone range that could
never be captured with film.
When used in the Pano/WideView mode, the tri-linear CCD of the Better Light scanning inserts is moved to the center of
the image plane and remains stationary during the scan. The drive function is diverted to a custom precision turntable
under the camera or under the object. The system is easy to use: the photographer simply enters the focal length of the
lens to determine the drive ratio. This focal length setting calculates micro-changes to the motor drive system to keep the
pixels square and determine the number of lines per degree of rotation.
To keep the pixels perfectly square, and the image undistorted, Better Light uses a unique scaleable aspect ratio that is
controlled by the photographer's choice of lens focal length. Other digital systems often use one fixed scan size and then
interpolate the image to fit the focal length being used. The Better Light Pano/WideView uses a continuously variable
drive system to capture true pixel data at any focal length, with absolutely no interpolation.
The Pano/WideView Adapter is a high-quality turntable motor with no backlash, is suitable for heavy view cameras, and
resists shaking due to wind. The hardware includes a precision motor-driven rotary base with 3/8-in. tripod socket on the
bottom, a quick-release camera mount on top of the base, 3/8-in. and 1/4-in. screws for the
camera, and a motor drive cable to connect the insert to motor base.
4-inch precision motor base; 50-lb. load capacity $4,990
6-inch precision motor base; 150-lb. load capacity $5,990
Object platforms in varied sizes are available to attach to the motor
base for QuickTime object rotations and rollouts of 3D cylindrical subjects.
Prices are suggested retail price in U.S. dollars.
Outside of the U.S. prices may be higher to include duty and freight charges.
Visit our website at www.betterlight.com