Originally posted by monochrome Really? You think the technology is that simple? If so, then why is
a. Nikon's entry such a kluge
b. hasn't Apple implemented this simple application in the iPhone6
Maybe because Ricoh has something unique and hard to do.
I want to invoke the loud invective clause but the thread Pilice would put me out the door for a timeout.
Why Nikon or Apple choose to develop or not certain producs is as much mistery to me as it is to you.
Spherical images and spherical cameras exist for a long time already, most popular use today probably is google street view.
>>Really? You think the technology is that simple?
Technology is always the same, no matter if you use a device with one, two or more cameras. You take a number of overlapping images, then use software to map them to a sphere, stitch them together and display the result. If the device has more than 1 camera it can take all the images in one shot (given that lenses are fisheye/wide enough to cover all the area).
>>Maybe because Ricoh has something unique and hard to do.
If you think there's something different going on inside the Theta, maybe check this:
https://zavax.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/teardown-of-ricoh-theta-360-degree-sp...norama-camera/
The cool part (not sure if it is unique) is how they used a mirror/prism to save space and put the sensors on the side of the lens.
Ricoh apparently found a niche (just like GoPro did with their action cameras) by creating a small, simple consumer oriented device by a setup with just 2 cameras.
Only two images to stitch so it is fast to stitch them but then the resolution is also limited compared to the other devices out there that use more cameras.
As to why you cannot use current phones to take one-shot spherical images - some of the technical limitations are:
1. Lens are generally not wide enough since they are meant for selfies and general photography (lphone6 is something like 33mm equiv. if I can trust the internet on this) so you'll need to attach something like this :
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHRXP4Q?psc=1
2. Front cameras are usually different/even crappier than the back ones, so you'll get better results by just using the back camera taking several pictures in all directions and there are already multiple apps that will then make a 360 or spherical panorama out of it.
3. Most phones can't fire both cameras at the same time.
All of these can/will be fixed if there's sufficient demand, I won't be surprised if someone releases a phone with 2 or more additional fisheye cameras just for this, like for example the Amazon Fire phones have something like 6 cameras in them (although for completely different purpose).