Panoscan MARK TWO, MK-2 Operation Manuals

PANOSCAN MARK TWO

OPERATION MANUAL

V1.1

2

IMPORTANT ADDENDUM

This manual was written before the OS-X version 6.0.3 was released. Most of the features and

operation are identical in OS-X. There are a few things that you will need to be aware of when

using OS-X with this system.

Using the Firewire Converter with OS-X

The drivers for the Firewire converter are built into OS-X 10.2 or newer. There is no need to install

any additional drivers to use the camera system or converter. However there is an issue with the

OS-X and its ability to mount the camera. It is very important that you follow these steps exactly in

the correct order for the camera to mount on the system and work.

1. Before proceeding with connections power up the computer so it can be booting while you set

up the rest of the system.

2. Connect the converter SCSI connection to the processor module. DO NOT CONNECT THE

FIREWIRE YET.

3. Power up the processor module and verify that the green light on the converter is lighted.

4. Assuming the computer is now running, plug in the Firewire converter connection to the

computer. You will see the converter’s green light blink off for a moment. The red activity light on

the Processor will light up for several seconds. Wait for the red activity light on the Processor

module to go off.

5. Now unplug the Firewire connection. Wait at least 5 seconds and then restore the Firewire

connection. Wait another 10 seconds.

6. Start up the ViewFinder Software and you should now see that the camera is now ready to use.

Failure to follow these steps in order may cause the software to not recognize the camera is

connected. If you have trouble unplug the Firewire connection. Turn off the processor and repeat

steps 1 – 6.

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Scanning to RAM under OS-X

On page 20 of this manual there was a recommendation to scan to RAM with OS-9. This was due

to the fact that the file transfer mode in the ViewFinder 5 did not work correctly with the FireWire

converter. In ViewFinder 6 these issues have been corrected. Be sure “Small Transfers” option is

selected in the Preferences.

We now recommend saving and scanning to the processor’s hard drive for the best performance.

Scanning to RAM in OS-X is somewhat speed limited and the 125th shutter speed may corrupt full

resolution images. For this reason we recommend scanning to the camera’s hard drive when

running OS-X.

Sound

The “play sound after scanning” in this new 6.0.3 version is not fully implemented. There is only

one tome available and it is a 3 second long tone.

Known Issues with ViewFinder 6.0.3

You may notice a lag when first clicking on the color balance preset menu or the curve preset menu

for the first time. Be patient it will load in a second or two.

From time to time the file manager menu item may gray out and become unavailable. If this

happens just click on the focus or color tabs. This will reset the file manager menu item.

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Table of Contents

Pg.

5 Introduction

6 Parts List

7 Connector Identification

9 Installing and Configuring the ViewFinder™ Software

10 Memory Requirements

10 Scan to RAM Mode

10 System Requirements

11 Setting Up the System

22 Making Your First Scans

29 The Focus Tool

31 Saving Scans

32 Using the File Manager

34 Changing Filters

35 Cleaning the CCD

37 Focus Chart

5

Introduction

Your Panoscan MK2 camera system is the result of a cooperative development project between

Panoscan Inc. and Better Light Inc. Mamiya-Sekor also contributed lenses and advice to the project.

Without the cooperation of these partners the MK2 could not have been developed. Panoscan

would like to thank our partners for their help with the MK2 camera and this manual.

Although Better Light offers a panoramic adapter solution for their 4 x 5 scan back this system was

not well suited for wide angle photography. While the 4 x 5 cameras offer unparalleled flexibility

for studio photography they are somewhat limited with respect to wide angle lens choices. The

typical 4 x 5 camera setup was also limited in portability.

At Panoscan we understood that the Better Light scanning system was producing the best image

quality with the shortest scan times possible. We also saw that the system was far more sensitive

than our original MK1 camera system. It became clear that a system that combined the Better Light

technology with a camera body that could accept wide angle lenses would make the ideal

panoramic camera solution.

The MK 2 camera is the unique result of combining Better Light’s extraordinary scanning system

with our custom designed camera body that accepts superb Mamiya-Sekor optics. This camera was

designed from the ground up to provide the best possible image quality attainable in a panoramic

scene. The 645 format Mamiya lenses were selected because they cover the CCD perfectly and

Mamiya is the only 645 system that offers a 180 degree fisheye lens. The optical quality of the

Mamiya 24mm fisheye lens is extraordinary.

This manual will take you through the basic setup and operation of the MK2 camera system. It is

intended to familiarize you with the unique features of this system. We have also included Better

Light’s manuals with your system. Better Light’s manuals will go into more detail on specific

software features and we encourage you to read that manual too.

While we make every attempt in suggesting tips and techniques for getting the most out of this

system we make no attempt to teach basic photographic skills in this manual. We are assuming a

professional level of photographic proficiency on the reader of this manual. Ultimately the results

you achieve with this system are dependent on your skill, experience and creativity.

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Parts List

Your Panoscan MK2 camera system comes with the following parts. The standard configuration

should have included a wheeled hard case, which is not shown in the picture below.

If you notice that any pieces are missing please contact Panoscan immediately for assistance.

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Connector Identification

There are two main parts to your camera system. There is the main camera body shown on the

bottom and the processor module shown on the top.

The camera contains the CCD and an electronics bay that drives the pan motor and shutter motor.

The camera is powered through the DB-25 cable that connects the camera to the Processor. Use

only the double-shielded cable supplied with the camera. The interface between the

camera and processor module is proprietary, and NOT SCSI !

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The Processor module contains the power supply, battery charger, digital signal processor and hard

drive. The processor is the ‘heart” of the system. The processor module is equipped with air vents

and a fan to circulate air through the electronics. Care must be taken to avoid blocking the fan and

air vents. The case provided by Panoscan is designed to allow air to flow correctly around the

processor module so you do not need to remove it from the storage case during use.

Also… Extreme care should be taken to avoid bumping the processor module while the system is

powered up because it contains a hard drive. We recommend leaving the processor module in the

storage case during use to ensure it is protected from bumps and it gets proper airflow.

WARNING: Blocking the air vents or fan WILL cause damage to the processor module.

(Especially while charging a battery.)

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Installing and Configuring the ViewFinder™ Software

Your MK2 camera comes with software that has been developed by Better Light Inc. This software

is called ViewFinder™. Insert the CD containing the ViewFinder camera control software and click

on the installer. The installer will place the application folder at the root level of your boot drive.

The Installer will also install the drivers for the Firewire converter. After the computer reboots you

may remove the CD and store it in a safe place.

Although Better Light distributes their new software versions on the Better Light web site we strongly

recommend that you only download software versions for the MK2 from the Panoscan web site.

Panoscan will test and verify compatibility with the MK2 before posting any new versions. Beware

any versions that have not been specifically tested by Panoscan for use with your MK2 camera.

The ViewFinder software maintains a preferences file, named “ViewFinder Prefs”, which

must be in the same folder as the application itself. Preferences stored in this file are used to

determine startup settings each time the software is launched. You can alter these settings and save

new preferences, which will then be used on subsequent startups of the software.

You may also save and reload different settings files, which you create, each containing a complete

set of camera control selections that are customized to your unique camera setups (e.g. client

project, or lighting system). A saved group of camera settings will include all settings for all controls

and tab windows as they were at the time the settings were saved, including: Line Time, ISO, Size,

To save a new choice of camera settings as the startup set, use the Save Preferences menu item

under the File menu. To save a group of camera settings for future recall at any time, use the Save

Settings... menu item under the File menu; this will bring up a standard Save dialog, which allows

you to name this settings file and place it in the folder of your choice. To load a settings file, use the

Load Settings... menu item under the File menu; this will bring up a standard Open dialog, which

allows you to open and load a previously saved settings file from any folder.

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Memory Requirements

In OS-9. The ViewFinder software requires about 20,000K bytes (about 20 MB) of memory to

operate,

as shown in its Get Info window. There is no performance advantage to assigning additional

memory to the control software application. For proper operation, VIRTUAL MEMORY MUST BE

TURNED OFF.

Scan to RAM Mode

For scans to be taken directly to the host Macintosh’s RAM, enough uncommitted (not already

assigned to any application) RAM memory must be available to hold the desired image size for the

scan. The amount of uncommitted memory may be determined from the “Largest Free Memory”

field within the “About this Macintosh” menu selection. Otherwise, the “Scan to RAM” checkbox

will be disabled (grayed out) in the main control window. If enough free memory exists, the control

software will “borrow” it from the System for the duration of the scan, and then release it back to the

System after writing the new image data to the computer’s internal disk drive.

System Requirements

Macintosh Computer

G3 processor or better (iBook and Powerbook supported.)

Mac OS 9.2 or OS-X 10.2 or later. (Classic mode in X NOT supported.)

24-bit color graphics display and video card with 1024 x 768 minimum resolution

SCSI-2 Interface (HD-50), or Firewire converter provided by Panoscan.

128 MB RAM minimum (additional RAM required for Scan to RAM operation)

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Setting Up the System

1. To begin we will make a few recommendations about your tripod. The Panoscan MK2 must

remain completely rigid while the scan is in progress. And flex or shake in the tripod can blur or

distort the image. For this reason we recommend that you use a heavy duty tripod fitted with a ball

level head like those found on video and motion picture tripods. One such tripod is the Gitzo™

G505 series. Gitzo has a Ball head called the G1321 that has a spirit level built in. The Bogen™

3283B with a 3241 ball head is also an excellent choice. You may find the Bogen 3296 quick

release bracket convenient as well.

Gitzo G505 Tripod with G1321 Ball Head Bogen 3296 Quick Release

Begin by placing the camera on the tripod as shown above. Make sure the camera is level and the

tripod legs are secure. Remember that the slightest bump or slip in the tripod will ruin your scans.

At the high resolution settings even soft carpeting can cause the tripod to settle which makes

blending the seam difficult. In this case use points on your tripod and consider sandbags. At

medium or low resolution settling is not a problem.

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2. After mounting the camera securely, select your lens and mount it on the camera. To release the

body cap press the small button on top of the lens mount (12:00 position.) and rotate the cap

counter clockwise. To attach a new lens line up the red mark on the bottom of the lens mount (6:00

position.) with the red alignment dot on the lens barrel and rotate the lens clockwise until the cam

locks securely into place. The lens alignment mark for the Panoscan camera is at the 6:00 position.

This is to ensure that the corner notches on the fisheye lens align to allow the lens to see the 12:00

and 6:00 positions without obstruction.

When the lens is mounted correctly it should be locked so that it cannot rotate without pressing the

release button on the lens mount.

Trick: If the lens mount is excessively tight you can try rubbing your finger on the side of your nose or forehead and then use

your finger to apply the oil from your skin on the front chrome surface of the lens mount. This tiny amount of lubrication will

ensure that the lenses mount smoothly.

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3. Connect the camera to the control unit Plug the male end of the insert connector into

the DB-25 socket on the camera control unit into the (marked as “DB-25 Camera Connector” in the

connector identification image. Make sure the plug is firmly seated in the socket before securing it

to the connector with the two connector screws. Connect or disconnect this cable ONLY when the

camera power is turned OFF.

4. Mate the female end of the cable with the DB-25 plug on the camera, again making sure the

connectors are firmly seated before tightening the securing screws.

Do not allow this cable to run alongside “noisy” cables such as computer, HMI lamp cabling or

electric power cords, or the image data may be compromised.

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IMPORTANT !

• Use only the double-shielded cable supplied with the camera. The interface between the camera and control

unit is proprietary, and NOT SCSI! Use of other cables may damage the system!

• NEVER connect anything except the camera to the DB-25 connector on the control unit.

• Do not use cable extenders to create a longer cable, as power losses and data corruption will occur. In

addition to the 5 meter (15 feet) cable supplied with the camera, an 8 meter (25 feet) cable is available from

Panoscan.

• We recommend that you leave the processor in the storage case to avoid accidental falls which could destroy

the hard drive or corrupt images stored on the hard drive. Otherwise make sure the unit is being used in a

“safe” position.

5. Next you need to connect the processor to the host computer. The camera control unit has a

single SCSI-2 50-pin High Density shielded connector, which is always internally terminated with

active termination. In most cases you will be using the Processor with the FireWire converter

provided by Panoscan. Begin by connecting the SCSI connector to the processor, always being

careful to mate the connector squarely and firmly into its fully locked position. Avoid stress on this

connector, which might damage the locking tabs or cause poor connections. 6. Next plug the other

end of the SCSI DB25 connection into the SCSI converter and secure the connection with the two

screws.

You may also connect the processor to any Macintosh computer equipped with a suitable SCSI host

adapter. Many of the older model Macintosh computer have built in SCSI support which should

work fine with the system. In the case of newer G4 desktop machines we suggest using a host

adapter made by ATTO. The Adaptec 2930 is also a known solution. For G4 Powerbook machines

we recommend the RATOC CB31 Pismo card or the CB32PB cards. (http://www.ratocsystems.com/)

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You should AVOID using the Adaptec 1480/1460 SlimSCSI PC cards. The Adaptec SlimSCSI cards

will not work reliably on any Macintosh systems.

7. Connect the power source to the processor module. It’s a good idea to connect the battery

because it can provide backup power in the event of an accidental power failure. (ie. Kicking the

cord out of the wall.) The battery connector is keyed to insert only in one position. Examine the

connectors carefully and you will see that there is a larger key at the 12:00 position on the

connector. Line this connector up and you will feel it slip into place and the connector will not

rotate. Once the connector is lined up turn the locking ring clockwise until it stops. The connector

should now be locked in place. It is normal for the connector body to feel slightly loose in the

locked position. The pins in the connector are designed to “float” to maintain a perfect connection.

Your camera is provided with an IEC-320 power cord for USA. Use only an approved IEC-320

power cord with a plug appropriate for the power receptacles of the region. The camera has a

universal input power supply, that operates from any AC voltage between 85 and 264 volts (100 to

240 volts nominal), 47 to 63 Hz single phase, without changing switches or jumpers. The camera

consumes a maximum of about 60 watts of power, and should be operated from the same circuit

supplying power to the computer connected to the camera. When AC power is connected to the

camera the AC status indicator will glow green or red depending on the charge rate. Red indicates

the system is in the “rapid” charge mode. Green indicates “trickle” charge mode. We should

mention that it’s best to maintain the battery fully charged. It is impossible to over charge a battery

so feel free to leave it charging overnight.

8. If you are using the camera with a computer that has a SCSI host adapter you should connect the

computer at this time. If you are using the Firewire converter do not connect the Firewire cable

quite yet.

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The picture below shows how the camera is typically set up for a location shot. Notice the storage

case is located under the tripod to keep it out of your scene. Also notice the storage case is used as

a table for the laptop.

When used in this configuration be sure to prop something in the lid to keep the case from pinching

the cords and to allow for some air circulation.

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9. You are now ready to turn on the power to the camera system. Flip the switch upward and the

system will start up. The status indicator on the processor will glow orange then red then the LED

should go out. The status LED on the camera body should be flashing green to indicate the camera

is ready to scan. If you have a Firewire converter connected please verify that the green LED on the

converter is glowing green. If not please cycle the power to the Processor.

10. Now you should boot up your computer.

11. Once the camera is powered up and the computer is booted you may connect the Firewire

converter to your computer. Note: that it will take you computer 10-20 seconds to recognize the

Firewire converter and mount the camera. During this time you will see the converter’s green LED

blink off and then come back on. Be patient. If you start up the camera software before the

computer has had time to register the camera on the system it will result in the software not

recognizing the camera at all. If you do not see a steady green light on the converter repeat steps

10-12. The Apple System profiler can be useful in troubleshooting you connection. The camera

should show up in the system profiler as seen below. OS-X users please read the Addendum!

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12. Once the LED is glowing a steady green you may launch the Viewfinder camera software. You

should see a display that looks something like the screen below.

Pay careful attention to the camera indicator. It should say it has a Panoscan connected. If not you

need to check you connections, and repeat the start-up procedures.

Correct Processor Not Connected Camera Not Connected

Below the camera indicator you will see a green bar graph that indicates your battery charge status

with the battery voltage as well. When the battery is running low the graph will turn yellow to

indicate you are running out of time.

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Before we start scanning we need to check a few preference settings. If your controls are not

showing along the bottom of the image we recommend doing so now.

It is crucial that the Base ISO setting be set to 200. It is a good idea to create a specific image

folder where you camera will save scans. Select this folder so that the camera will save in your

image folder. The automatic file naming will automatically assign a unique number to each scan

preventing accidentally writing over a pre existing image with the same name. The append file

name automatically adds the .tif file suffix to your scans so that the images can be more easily

opened on a Windows computer. If you are in the USA you need to set the “Line Time Sync” to 60

hz to avoid vertical banding caused by flickering light sources such as florescent lamps. If you are

in Europe set the sync for 50 hz.

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OS-X Users

We recommend that you use the camera’s hard drive for saving images. Scanning to RAM under

OS-X is somewhat speed limited and the 125th shutter speed may corrupt large scans.

OS-9 Users

We recommend for most situations that you scan to the host computer’s RAM. This allows you to

save the images on the host computer’s hard drive. The alternative is to save images on the

processor module’s hard drive. There is one important limitation with using the processor

module’s hard drive: The Firewire converter is not compatible with the processor module’s hard

drive in OS-9 and you cannot retrieve images from the processor modules hard drive with the

Firewire converter in OS-9. In this case you must use OS-X or a SCSI host adapter to retrieve the

files. You may shoot onto the processor’s hard drive but you will not be able to retrieve the files

using the Firewire converter in OS-9. Note: It is very important to disable the automatic save after

scan if you are shooting to the processor’s hard drive with the Firewire converter or the system

will freeze after the scan.

Each method of saving has advantages and disadvantages. Saving to the host computer’s RAM

allows you to quickly open the image after a scan to inspect it. The downside on scanning to the

host computer’s RAM is that you are limited to the maximum picture size according to the amount

of free RAM on the system. Shooting to the processor’s hard drive avoids the RAM size limitations

but pictures must be transferred to the host computer before it can be opened and examined. In

OS-X, the processor’s hard drive allows shooting at faster shutter speeds without data dropouts.

The possible exceptions might be shooting with long lenses and making huge 1.7 GIG images or

you need the fastest shutter speeds when shooting in the 48 bit color mode or in OS-X. To select

the scan to RAM setting the checkbox is located on the bottom left corner of the main interface

screen next to the “Prescan” button.

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Another preference that can affect your ability to set correct exposure is the computer’s monitor

gamma setting. Macintosh computers come with the screen gamma set to a very bright 1.8 setting.

Most other computers, like Windows machines, use a darker gamma setting of 2.2. Since you

images will most likely be viewed on a Windows machine at some point we recommend settung the

Macintosh’s screen gamma to at least 2.2. We recommend 2.4 on a Powerbook screen. Using the

camera with your screen set to a gamma seyying of 1.8 may result in your images looking under

exposed on other machines. To change the gamma of your monitor use the “Monitors” control

panel to create a custom monitor profile. Be sure to save the profile with an obvious name like

Panoscan2.2 so you can easily select this profile when using the camera.

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Making Your First Scans

Now that you have successfully set up your camera and configured your preferences we can begin

scanning images.

1. Begin by setting a reasonable focus and aperture setting for your lens. Don’t make things too

difficult for your first scans. Start with a wide aperture setting like F 4.0.

2. Select a reasonable ISO and Line Time for an indoor scan. Try ISO 1000 and 1/60th of a second.

3. On the ‘Pano” tab be sure to put in the focal length setting of your lens. Also specify the preview

width. This sets the default scan width. We suggest always scanning at least 390 degrees if you

intend to make a full 360 image. This allows the seam to be blended in post if needed.

4. Confirm that the “Scan Area” is dialed up to 100%.

5. Confirm that the “Return after Scan” is enabled.

6. Check to make sure the camera cable is wrapped at least 1/2 turn counter clockwise to prevent

the camera from pulling on the cable during a scan. Note: The pan motor is very powerful! Failing

to back wind the camera cable can result in damage to the cable, computer and camera. It is very

important to check the camera cable before scanning to ensure that the camera is free to turn

clockwise without pulling on the cable.

7. Now you are ready to make a preview scan. Hit the “Preview” button. The camera will begin

the scanning process by performing a dark current calibration with the shutter closed. This is to

ensure minimum noise in the scan. During the dark current calibration the status indicator on the

processor module with blink red rapidly. Be patient… This process can take a while if you have a

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slow shutter speed selected. After the calibration the shutter will open and the camera will begin

rotating to make the scan. The status indicator will blink yellow and red alternately during the scan.

You should see your first preview scan wipe across the preview screen.

Note: a scan may be canceled at any time prior to completion by pressing the Command-period

key combination .

Congratulations you have made your first preview scan! If your scan looks too dark or the color is

wrong don’t be discouraged. This is why we do a preview…

8. Adjust your settings. You can adjust the camera ISO and Line Time settings interactively and the

preview will change respectively. Note that the setting changes cause the software to estimate what

the scan will look like at that new setting. This can result in some artifacts in the preview such as

noise. Actually scanning the preview at the new settings will give a more accurate image.

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9. Now lets work on the color. In this case our first preview scan looks too blue. To balance the

color you will need to click on the color tab. Then select the digital spot meter tool at the top of the

screen. Now use the spot meter tool to select any area of the scene that is white or gray. Don’t

select an area of the image that is completely blown out to white or it will not balance correctly. In

this case I selected the gray spots on a Macbeth chart. You may also use an 18% gray card.

In most scenes you can usually get good results by selecting a white or gray object in the scene. Up

to 4 points may be selected. Also notice that the histogram shows where you have selected a spot.

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When you hit the “Auto Balance” button the software will average the white balance across all of

the points you selected. The image will update to show the new white balance.

It is important to understand that the color balance interacts with the ISO settings somewhat. The

auto balance button looks at the targets you have selected and calculates the necessary gain

adjustments to the CCD to balance the color. If the light source deviates drastically from the

expected color temperature (3200K for Tungsten and 5600K for Daylight.) for your IR filter then you

will force the gain to be adjusted more drastically. This will result in a reduced maximum ISO. For

example if you are in a candlelit room and you try to white balance to neutral you will end up with

a very limited maximum ISO because the camera has to push the green and blue channels so hard

to match the red channel. You will likely see more noise in such an over corrected setting. In this

case it would probably be a better strategy to use the tungsten IR filter and use the default tungsten

color balance and let the scene go warm. After all… Candles look very warm. Or you could add

additional glass color correction filters to bring the candlelight closer to 3200K.

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After determining the desired color balance, you may wish to save the new values, either as the

startup preferences, or as part of your custom settings. Select the “New Setting” option from the

“Color Balance” popup menu at the bottom of the Color tab panel. Enter the name for the new color

balance setting and click the OK button. The new setting will now appear in the Color Balance list.

The entire list of color balance settings will be saved into the Preferences file when the program is

quit (if the “Auto Save Preferences” option is checked in the File menu). The settings list will also be

recorded in any settings file created with the Save Settings option from the File menu. These custom

settings will give you an accurate starting point when you make photographs under the same

conditions (e.g. panorama with tungsten lights or with fluorescent lamps).

10. Another important setting is the tonal curve setting. Tonal adjustments are most often used to

make changes in the overall contrast range of an image, or to make changes to the placement of

mid-tone values without affecting highlight or shadow values (or to make changes in highlight

values without affecting mid-tone or shadow values, etc.).

Unlike most of the exposure and color balance controls discussed previously, which alter the

analog signals of the CCD prior to digital conversion, tonal adjustments affect the digital translation

tables which convert the CCD’s “raw” luminance data (expressed as EV on the horizontal axis of the

graph) into “finished” brightness data (expressed as RGB units on the vertical axis of the graph).

The ViewFinder software ships with a selection of tone curves which have been preloaded into the

Tone Curve pop-up menu. From these choices, each of which is fully adjustable and re-nameable,

the photographer can quickly select from a group of familiar curves to provide the contrast range

and tonality required for a given setup. The preloaded curves differ primarily in their overall

contrast, ranging from a “straight” function that spans the entire dynamic range of the camera

relatively uniformly, to functions that approximate the response curves of transparency films, such

as Kodak Ektachrome. Please refer to the Better Light manual, tone_curves.pdf for detailed

information with sample images of each curve setting. For most indoor controlled lighting scenes

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the “chrome 6 stops” setting yields saturated colors and 6 stops of contrast. For high contrast scenes

outdoors the “chrome 7 stops” setting works well. Note that setting excessively flat curves can have

the effect of “Pushing” the shadow detail up to the point where you see noise. It is not a good idea

to use the “default setting” because it is very flat and very likely to produce under saturated color

and excessive image noise. As you push the ISO up on the camera keep in mind that you should be

careful not to use too flat a tone curve. Just like the color settings tonal curves can be saved and

recalled in the pull down menu.

Your Panoscan MK2 camera also offers two methods for producing high bit depth images. The first

method saves the “raw” (but pixel-corrected) digital data, without the application of any tone curve.

The “None 14 bit” curve is linear with intensity, representing the full range that the CCD captures.

This data is 14 bits per color, expanded to 16 bits per color (48-bit RGB data). Such image files

are twice as large as a “finished” 24-bit RGB file, and must subsequently be manipulated through

appropriate curves or tables (e.g. in an image processing application such as Photoshop) before

being useful for most purposes. Images captured in this mode always utilize the entire dynamic

range of the camera (whether or not it is required); only exposure and color balance adjustments

affect this data, since a tone curve is not used.

To save 48-bit image data, select “None 14 bit” from the Tone Curve popup menu. The image

file size will double, but no other image parameters will be affected (scan time remains the same,

for example). When “None 14-bit” is selected, the tone curve window turns light red to remind you

that the curve is “inactive”. The curve itself remains the same as the previously selected tone

curve. Before selecting “None 14-bit” from the tone popup menu you should select a curve

that gives you a preview image that is the closest to your desired final result. From this

curve setting, establish the proper exposure and color balance and then change your curve

setting to “None 14-bit”.

You would not normally need to “tweak” the curve as you would for an 8-bit image, since “None

14-bit” gives you additional data to fine tune contrast and density later in your image processing

software. It is suggested to establish an appropriate exposure to prevent burning out highlight detail

before switching to the “None 14-bit” curve for the final capture.

The second method for 16 bits per color images is selected by clicking on the small button.

The current tone curve will be applied to the image in 16-bit mode. The resulting file size will

be doubled as it was for “None 14-bit”, but will open in the image processing application (e.g.

Photoshop) with a normal visual range.

At the fastest line times in 16-bit mode (48-bit RGB), it is possible to generate data quicker

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than the system’s internal disk drive can store it, which can lock up the camera and require

a restart. Current testing indicates that the current drive can support the following fastest

line times at full resolution; lower resolution settings may allow faster line times:

MK2 Camera HD or Host RAM 24-bit color, 8/16-bit mono 1/120 sec (up to 2.2 MB/sec)

MK2 to Camera HD 48-bit color 1/80 sec (up to 2.8 MB/sec)

MK2 to Host RAM 48-bit color 1/60 sec (up to 2.2 MB/sec)

For more detailed information about the tone curve settings and the using 48 bit color mode please

refer to the Better Light manual.

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The Focus Tool

The ViewFinder software has a tool to assist you with focusing the camera. To utilize digital focus

verification, first take a pre-scan of the subject, preferably with a reasonably proper exposure and

approximate focus. After any pre-scan, click on the Focus tab panel, located on the main control

window. After entering this panel, indicate where the CCD should be positioned by clicking in the

appropriate location in the preview image area. A small rectangle will appear as a marker at the

selected location (this marker can be repositioned as necessary by simply clicking in the new

location). The back page of this manual includes a page filled with horizontal lines that are ideal

for use with the focusing tool. Feel free to print this last page and mount the image on cardboard

as a focus target.

After a location has been marked, click the “Go” button in the Focus tab panel. This will position

the CCD at the indicated location, and begin displaying focus information. Focus data is displayed

in both graphic and numeric form; by rocking the lens’s focus adjustment, the best focus can

quickly be determined. After focus has been verified at one or more sites, click the “Stop” button or

click on any other tab panel to end the focusing task and return to normal operation.

Click on the speaker button on the Focus panel to turn on or off the audio focusing tool. The

tone will rise in pitch as the focus is sharpened and fall in pitch as the image is defocused.

There are several factors to consider when selecting locations within an image for focus verification.

The focus tool will work best on high-contrast lines or edges. However, any surface lit to show some

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texture can usually be used successfully for focus verification, whether it is brightly lit or in the

shadows. You can read more about this feature in the Better Light ViewFinder manual.

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Saving Scans

After the pre-scan image has been inspected and the exposure and other image characteristics have

been adjusted to give the desired results (as viewed in the preview) then the final image is captured

by clicking on the “Scan” button. The camera will then begin the final scan process, storing the

image either on the Control Unit disk drive (default) or on the host computer’s disk (Scan to RAM).

The time required to complete the scan is displayed above the Scan button. This time value will give

a dynamic indication of the amount of time remaining to complete the scan by counting down to

zero as the scan progresses. In addition, a progress bar will move across the preview image to show

the approximate position of the sensor in the scan area. The preview will NOT update during a

scan.

Once the scan is started, a scan may be canceled at any time prior to completion by pressing the

Command-period key combination.

The Panoscan MK2 system features a dedicated internal disk drive for image storage (in the

processor module). By default this is where the images are stored as they are scanned. The fastest

scans, and the most efficient use of computing resources, can be accomplished by using the digital

processor module’s internal disk drive as the initial destination for image data. To scan an image to

the processor module’s disk drive, turn OFF (uncheck) the Scan to RAM checkbox in the main

control window before beginning the scan (by default the Scan to RAM box is unchecked).

Note that retrieving images from the processor module via Firewire is NOT supported at this time.

If you scan to the processor module’s hard drive you will need to connect to a SCSI host adapter to

retrieve your files. If you are using the Firewire option be sure to leave the “Scan to RAM”

checkbox on so that the camera saves images to the host computer directly. For most applications

we recommend scanning to RAM because it allows quick recovery and viewing of the files after a

scan is complete.

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Using the File Manager

Images stored on the digital camera’s internal disk drive can be accessed by using the camera

control software’s File Manager dialog, which is started from the File menu, or by typing its

keyboard shortcut Command-F. When this dialog window is displayed, the camera is queried as to

the contents of its internal disk drive and this information is then shown in a standard list format.

Images and any empty spaces between them are initially displayed in the order they are stored on

the disk drive. A scroll bar may appear on the right side of the list if there are more items than fit in

the list window. Click the list scroll bar’s up or down arrows to move slowly through the list, or

click and drag the scroll handle to quickly move to any desired position in the list.

Note:

• A single item in the list can be selected by pointing to its name and clicking.

• Multiple adjacent items can be selected by holding down the Shift key while clicking on the first

and last items of the contiguous group or by holding down the Shift key while clicking and dragging

across the desired contiguous group of items. It is OK to select empty spaces (marked as

“Available”) along with a group of images; any selected empty spaces are ignored during

subsequent operations.

• Multiple non-adjacent items can be selected by holding down the Command key and clicking on

each file’s name. Selected files are highlighted and can then be either retrieved to the computer or

deleted from the camera disk drive.

The File Manager provides a very flexible method of transferring image files from the camera disk

drive to any destination folder on the host computer, including shared folders on other networked

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computers. Transfer rates vary with the performance of the host computer, from one to several MB

per second. Retrieved files are stored as standard TIFF files, and include the image notes described

previously.

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Changing Filters

Your Panoscan MK2 allows the IR blocking filter to be interchanged if desired. The camera is also

designed to allow additional creative filters to be “stacked” if desired. The filter size is a 62mm

standard thread. Not more than 2 filters total are recommended because they can cause internal

reflections and flare. Never use a polarizing filter on this camera because it may severely distort

the color. The filter holder is located behind the lens mount so that filters may be used with the

fisheye lens. To gain access to the filter holder first loosen the front plate screws on the front of the

camera. The screws are captive to the front plate so you do not need to unscrew them all the way

out. Just loosen them far enough that the front plate separates freely from the camera body.

When you replace the front plate be sure the red alignment mark on the lens mount goes down

toward the motor. The release button should be on top. (Away from the motor.) Note: The CCD is

aligned to your specific lens mount at the Panoscan lab with the release button on top. If you put

the front plate on upside down the CCD may not maintain perfect alignment with the fisheye lens

causing a distortion at the top of your spherical images.

Tungsten Panoscan filters are marked with two small engraved dots on the ring.

Daylight Panoscan filters are marked with one small engraved dot on the ring.

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Cleaning the CCD

The MK2 camera is designed with a protective shutter door that seals the CCD inside a dust free

environment. In most cases, cleaning should not be required for many years. To test your camera

for dust we suggest stopping the camera down to F22 with the longest lens you own. Lay the

camera on it’s back so the lens is pointed at the sky.. (You may need to prop something under the

pan motor.) Shoot about 20 degrees worth of sky at F22 while letting the motor spill freely. Shoot

at 100% resolution. Examine the image closely for horizontal lines. If you see soft colored lines

running across the image you most likely have a dust particle on the CCD.

To clean the CCD first remove the front plate from the camera. Then slowly and gently slide the

shutter door all the way open until it stops. This will expose the CCD.

Once the CCD is exposed you may try to blow the dust off the CCD with canned air. IMPORTANT:

Always hold canned air right side up and test shoot a couple of times before blowing on the CCD

because the liquid propellant may come out in the first spray. Always hold the can upright! If

blowing air on the CCD will not remove the dust you may try wiping the CCD with a clean camel

hair lens brush. The brush must be completely clean! If you have touched the bristles on the brush

it may leave oil streaks on the cover glass. Gently (very light pressure) wipe the dry brush from top

to bottom and do not stop until the brush has cleared the bottom of the CCD. Do not apply

pressure to the glass. The idea is to sweep the dust off the glass in one continuous motion. After

you have wiped the glass with the brush then be sure to blow the glass again with canned air to

remove any fibers that may have stayed behind. As soon as you are done cleaning gently and

slowly close the shutter door.

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After cleaning repeat the sky test. The streaks should be gone. If you still see a problem contact

Panoscan for more advise. In some cases it may be best to send the camera in to Panoscan for

professional cleaning.

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