Got to be more than four shots.
No it doesn't! I frequently take these images using only two shots!
definately has....otherwise you'd need like a lens capable of 180 degrees!
There are quite a few common lenses with more than 180 degree field of view.
A lens with an uncropped 180 degree field of view would do this in 2 (if you could align the edges accurately) or more likely 3 (to ensure overlap) shots.
This was taken with a Sigma 8mm on a Nikon D100. These lenses are designed to give a circular image with the appropriate camera. i.e. A camera with a sensor (or negative size) of 36mm x 24mm (35mm size).
Because the sensor in most digital cameras is quite small (APS-C size I believe) part of the image is cut off on the longer edge of the sensor when using this lens.
Very few digital cameras have a large sensor equivalent to a 35mm neg. The only one I am aware of is the new Nikon D3, which has a full-size 36mm x 24mm sensor.
With the D100 the camera is used in portrait orientation to get 180 degrees in the vertical plane (where the image is not cut off on the sensor).
However as the horizontal plane is cropped by the sensor I have to take extra shots to ensure an overlap.
The first shot was taken looking directly at the girl holding the ball then the camera is turned 90 degrees each time for the remaining three shots, so four shots in total! I could have probably have done it in three shots if I had the time! Unfortunately they were waiting tio start the match and you need to be pretty accurate to do it in three shots (with very little overlap), whereas its relatively easy (i.e. each shot points at the wall) with four shots.
Incidentally, I can do this with two shots using my Nikon Coolpix with the fisheye attachment as the field of view is actually 183 degrees by 183 degrees with a full circular image!
billyh42
elevation360
