I need to purchase a digital camera to shoot virtual tours of homes. I saw this done about a month ago and the gentleman used a Sony MVC FD83 camera. He used a wide angle lens on this camera, then he took pictures from a tripod and overlapped them as he went in a circle around the room. I would like to purchase the Nikon Coolpix 950 or 990 based on a recommendation from an expert in the field. Can you tell me if I am on the right track and if this camera is capable of do this. Also, will I need any special software to blend the pictures.

Thanks,

Joe

-- Joseph Janchar (Josephjjj@aol.com), August 08, 2000

Answers

I have a Nikon 990 and would endorse using it for this purpose. The 990 also allows you to set exposure manually which comes in handy as you move the camera around the room. You want to use the same exposure setting so that the blended pictures will match. Auto exposure will sometimes change as you pass by a window or lighted lamp for example. You will need specific software to "stitch" the photos together. I use a stitching program that came with my Canon A50 (Photostitch) but there are numerous others available.

-- Dennis Pereira (dpereira@ultranet.com), August 08, 2000.

I think I'd first research panorama or stitching software. www.steves-digicams.com has a few pages on 360 degree software and possibly panoramas. I think www.imaging-resource.com has a couple articles on stitching and the like too. You'll also find a few tripod heads designed to help you align your shots and make sure they overlap.

Good Luck!

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@surferz.net), August 09, 2000.