Comments on: Alternative to the Gigapan Epic? http://mikehellers.com/blog/2009/08/10/alternative-to-the-gigapan-epic/ Read it, or don't... Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:05:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: mark bassett http://mikehellers.com/blog/2009/08/10/alternative-to-the-gigapan-epic/comment-page-1/#comment-1640 mark bassett Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:05:11 +0000 http://mikehellers.com/blog/?p=307#comment-1640 Hello. I don't know if you will respond because this is al older post, but I find this merlin fascinating. The gigapan pro is almost $900 usd. I don't know if it is really worth the cost. I have done many panoramas by hand without an L bracket no less, quite a few handheld, but I've always been looking for a way to automate them. I've thought about open sourcing a hardware design, because really all you need is a simple microcontroller and a mount with some gears and motors. Its not the most complicated idea. That's why I don't get the price of the gigapan. You can get astronomical mounts, that to me, seem more complicated because they do tracking and can dial in precise locations, for less money. Did you keep the merlin? Did they get the software down? I'm just looking for something that goes between two opposite corners and moves in fixed steps. I've thought about taking an astronomical mount and adapting it with software. This seems like someone has actually done that. I would love to hear your thoughts on this setup. Hello. I don’t know if you will respond because this is al older post, but I find this merlin fascinating. The gigapan pro is almost $900 usd. I don’t know if it is really worth the cost. I have done many panoramas by hand without an L bracket no less, quite a few handheld, but I’ve always been looking for a way to automate them. I’ve thought about open sourcing a hardware design, because really all you need is a simple microcontroller and a mount with some gears and motors. Its not the most complicated idea. That’s why I don’t get the price of the gigapan. You can get astronomical mounts, that to me, seem more complicated because they do tracking and can dial in precise locations, for less money.

Did you keep the merlin? Did they get the software down? I’m just looking for something that goes between two opposite corners and moves in fixed steps. I’ve thought about taking an astronomical mount and adapting it with software. This seems like someone has actually done that. I would love to hear your thoughts on this setup.

]]> By: mike http://mikehellers.com/blog/2009/08/10/alternative-to-the-gigapan-epic/comment-page-1/#comment-210 mike Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:35:23 +0000 http://mikehellers.com/blog/?p=307#comment-210 Hi John, This setup will handle cameras (incl. Lens) up to 4kg/8.8lbs in total (according to the specs of the mount) so even a 5D MkII should work fine on this setup. I will try to borrow one in the coming weeks and give it a try. mike Hi John,
This setup will handle cameras (incl. Lens) up to 4kg/8.8lbs in total (according to the specs of the mount) so even a 5D MkII should work fine on this setup. I will try to borrow one in the coming weeks and give it a try.
mike

]]> By: John Nichols http://mikehellers.com/blog/2009/08/10/alternative-to-the-gigapan-epic/comment-page-1/#comment-209 John Nichols Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:02:45 +0000 http://mikehellers.com/blog/?p=307#comment-209 Hello Mike, Very interesting mount for your larger camera. I want one for my Canon 5D and lens. Maybe it should be called a "Bigapan". Search Santa Paula on the Gigapan site to see some of my regular Gigapans done with the Canon G9. Hello Mike, Very interesting mount for your larger camera. I want one for my Canon 5D and lens. Maybe it should be called a “Bigapan”. Search Santa Paula on the Gigapan site to see some of my regular Gigapans done with the Canon G9.

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