360 rumors

Dolly360 is a radio-controlled and stabilized dolly for 360 cameras. Dolly360 is a radio-controlled dolly designed for 360 cameras, with both horizontal and vertical stabilization.  It uses a gimbal for spherical stabilization and a telescopic oil shock absorber for vertical stabilization. Here is a video: Here is a sample 360 video from a GoPro rig mounted on the Dolly360: The Dolly360 can handle a camera up to 5 kg and will be carry it up to 1 km.  It costs 500,000 JPY (about USD 4491 at current exchange rates).  The price is for the dolly only and does not include a camera.

Here is another low cost selfie stick that is slim enough to be invisible to 360 cameras, straight out of the box with no modification required. I've been recommending the Benro MK10 as a selfie stick because if you remove the ballhead, then it becomes invisible to 360 cameras.  The problem is that removing the ballhead takes a lot of effort because the ballhead is glued with loctite or something. Like the Benro MK10, I found  this cheap selfie stick called Monopod  that is slim enough to be invisible to a 360 camera, but you don't need to modify it. I tested it with the Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere ( reviewed here ), which is itself a very slim 360 camera, so anything but the slimmest selfie stick will show up in the shot.  Here is how the nadir looks with the Monopod selfie stick: Note that there are selfie sticks that look similar but which are slightly thicker and will not be invisible to slim cameras such as the Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere.  In the shot below, the ...

Double 2, two-wheeled self-balancing 360 Camera Dolly is now available. An increasing number of 360 videos are using movement.  Among other things, slow forward movement can be used as a subtle way of directing the viewer's attention, as demonstrated for example in Felix and Paul's documentary, "The People's House." The challenge for 360 filmmakers is that a 360 camera sees everything around it, therefore it is not ideal to use traditional methods for moving a camera such as a camera operator carrying a camera or using a camera track dolly. There are dollies available for 360 cameras that perform very well but they tend to have substantial cost. See here (Vroomcam) and here (RigRover) . Double 2 is a two-wheeled self-balancing 360 camera dolly by Double Robotics.  It is a modified version of the Double 2 robot which was designed for telepresence. The modified version of the Double 2 is designed specifically for use as a 360 Camera Dolly.  Instead of an iPad and c...

I got an inexpensive third person view mount / harness from eBay  for GoPro, action cameras, and 360 cameras.  Here's a sample 360 video from this mount.  UPDATE: found on Amazon a nearly identical mount . Here's how the backpack mount looks: The harness has clamps that you can use to configure the two included pipes and elbow to choose an angle for the camera.  It uses a GoPro style adapter, so you may need a GoPro to 1/4-20 adapter. For this sample video I used the Xiaomi Mi Sphere yet again because it's lightweight and stabilized.  Here's the video: I would say the harness did its job and I like that you can position the camera in many ways.  The issue is that when walking, the camera will move side to side.  Fortunately, the Xiaomi Mi Sphere's stabilization keeps the horizon level.  Without stabilization, I imagine it would be difficult to watch.  The mount is much smoother for videos while riding a bike, or other wheeled vehicle as you ...

There's a new third party tripod mount for Insta360 Nano that could be even better than Insta360's own Nano Mount tripod adapter. The Aobelieve Security Mount ($13.99) is a tripod mount designed specifically for the Insta360 Nano.  Instead of a clamp like the Nano Mount, it secures the Nano between two plastic pieces that are molded to fit the Nano's contours. I saw the Aobelieve a few weeks ago on Amazon but it was quickly sold out before I could even buy it, and it was not sold anywhere else.  Fortunately, it came back in stock and I snapped it up immediately. The Aobelieve is made of lightweight plastic, with a silvery finish to match that of the Nano.  The bottom has a metal standard 1/4-20 tripod insert. To attach it, you place the top part over the Nano's head then you slide the bottom sleeve over the Nano's body.  The top part clips onto the bottom sleeve securely.  I do mean securely , as you'll see below.   Besides holding the Nano securely,...

Vroomcam is a motorized dolly for 360 cameras with stabilization, and can operate autonomously or via remote control. One of the challenges of 360 videos is that they have to remain level and stable to avoid inducing nausea for viewers.  At the same time, 360 cameras can see everywhere around them, therefore traditional stabilization solutions such as a skilled Steadicam operator will be seen on a 360 camera, possibly detracting from the video. Vroomcam is a motorized dolly that addresses both issues.  It has stabilization to keep the camera level, and it can be operated with remote control or autonomously set to follow a subject, thus allowing the camera to move without a visible operator.  Vroomcam can operate on the ground or on an aerial cable. Here is a video demonstrating Vroomcam: Vroomcam costs $20,000 and is available for lease.   Here is the official website . RELATED POSTS: Vantrix partners with Spydercam and Eye-Live

360 videos need a level horizon to avoid nausea for viewers.  One tool that can enable you to maintain a level horizon is a stabilized gimbal. The Wenpod Tarzan-G, a stabilized gimbal designed for 360 cameras. High quality consumer 360 video cameras such as the Nikon Keymission 360 and Samsung Gear 360 usually have internal gyroscopes to maintain a level horizon electronically.  However, professional 360 camera rigs generally don't have a gyroscope and require an external device for stabilization.  The problem is that conventional stabilized gimbals are usually not suitable for 360 cameras or camera rigs because the gimbal frame usually goes around the camera, obstructing a significant part of the field of view.  The Wenpod Tarzan-G's gimbals, however, stay below the camera, leaving most of the 360 camera's field of view unobstructed. The Tarzan-G supports a payload of up to 3 kilograms, enough to carry a small 360 camera rig.  It is powered by an internal bat...

The  Benro MK10  is a selfie stick that can quickly convert to a tripod, and is a very useful accessory for a 360-degree camera.  Here's why. While photographers scoff at selfie sticks, they are one of the most important accessories for a 360 camera, because they enable you to move the camera farther away to avoid the giant hands / giant thumbs look.  A selfie stick is even more useful when it can convert into a tripod, because it allows the photographer to move away from the shot. iKross selfie stick / tripod The selfie stick / tripod that I use for indoor photos and videos is the iKross .  However, it's since been discontinued. Fortunately, there's a similar product called the Benro MK10 .  Like the iKross, the Benro's handle converts to tripod legs.  There's no need to attach tripod legs to the MK10. The top of the MK10 is a built-in ballhead with a universal 1/4-20 tripod attachment that can work with most 360 cameras.  The MK10 also includes ...

(image by Monoshot) This is a review of the Monoshot, a monopod with removable tripod legs.  This review is focused on its usage with a 360-degree camera. BACKGROUND Selfie sticks have been derided as an accessory for amateurs and narcissists.  However, for 360-degree cameras, they are an important tool.  Among other things, using a selfie stick or monopod allows you to avoid looking like you have giant thumbs or giant hands.  They also help you take the shot from a higher vantage point.  Selfie sticks that have tripod legs are even more useful, because they can take the shot while the 360 photographer moves out of the way. One issue with conventional selfie stick tripods is that they are not very stable.  This can result your camera swaying and getting the shot blurred, or worse, the camera falling. INTRODUCING THE MONOSHOT ​The Monoshot is a selfie stick / monopod with removable tripod legs.  It has several key fea...