Leo may complain about the cost, but their new studios truly are impressive and you’re left with the impression there really is something “new” going on here.

To capture the tours, I took along a prototype of our new Gymbl Pano adapter that we developed to create professional-quality virtual tours with the iPhone 4 and 4S. You can do this with any Gymbl but it takes a lot of attention and is tedious.  As you might expect, Alex asked to play with it for a week and yesterday unveiled it to the MacBreak Weekly community.

Below are the Virtual Tours that I did.  Leo was busy doing his radio show so I couldn’t do his office, something I hope that Alex does while he has the prototype.

I suggest after you click on the tour that you run it “FULLSCREEN” to see the detail as you zoom and pan.  They look just as good on the iPad.

TWiT Studio

TWiT Command Center

Sooo….. Here’s what I can tell you about the new Gymbl Pano:

• We’ll have the product details up on our website later this week
• You will be able to pre-order the Gymbl Pano as a Reward on our KickStarter Project.  If the project doesn’t get fully funded then we will contact you about fulfilling it directly from our on-line store.

Key features include:

• The pan and tilt rotors are on the axes of the camera to eliminate parallax.
• It has physical detents on both the pan and tilt plains for assuring the optimum 25% overlap of images.
• A full spherical panorama is created from the 32 images (3 rows of 10 images plus the zenith and nadir images).
• It supports 3/8″x16tpi tripod mounting and has a thread adapter for 1/4″x20tpi tripods.
• It includes a bubble spirit level for quick set up.
• The long bracket arm has a number of 3/8″ and 1/4″ threaded holes functioning as a truss to attach other accessories such as microphones and lamps.

Construction:

• Machined from solid aluminum with a “bead-blast” finish similar to MacBooks and the iPad.

Price: TBD

Availability: June 2012

Behold: The Gymbl Latch and Lanyard.

Cult of Mac (7:00 am PDT, Mar 14) by Charlie Sorrel

Gordon’s Kickstarter project consists of a clever metal latch that hooks into the socket usually used to affix the tripod, and a lanyard which attaches to that with a keyring. It might seem a little dorky to you to carry your iPhone around your neck, but from a photographer’s point of view, it’s pretty smart.

One way to steady a camera is to rest it on something steady, letting it take the weight off your wobbling hands. But another way is to put the support in tension, and that’s what the Latch and Lanyard does. Grab the iPhone and pull it out in front of you, stretching the lanyard tight. This will eliminate small shakes in your hands, and allow you to take much steadier shots.

It’s also good for smooth panning while shooting video (but not so much for shooting panoramas, as it puts the pivot point far behind the film plane).

The kit is cheap, too. If you already have the Gymbl case, the Latch and Lanyard will cost you just $15. If you need to buy the case too, it’s still just $30. A bargain, I think you’ll agree.

[Thanks, Gordon!]

Posted by Julia on 27.11.2011 in “Hardware | Keine Kommentare”

Doesn’t it  bother you sometimes that the video – shot with the iPhone – is so blurred?  Or that sometimes you cannot position the iPhone exactly in the right position for a photo, because you then no longer can reach the controls?  While a real tripod is just too large and something small would have been great.

Here the Gymbl enters the picture: A clever combination of an iPhone case and tripod, which should be standard equipment for the more ambitious iPhone photographer.

I introduce here: The Gymbl

Thanks to my active and sometimes quite joyful Twitter timeline I stumbled upon the Gymbl. What fascinated me immediately: the ability to finally take along a tripod for the iPhone that fits in a handbag and no more the big tripod, which I use for the DSLR.

The Gymbl is precise and even more: it consists of a 2-part iPhone Case, which is slid onto the tripod and becomes the tripod base.

The Gymbl has arrived from the U.S.

This is all included in the package:

The case fits, both the iPhone 4 and the 4S, whereby the newer model fits very tight in the case and requires some patience and more push to be freed from it again.

The tripod-leg itself is a rather unique construction: It consists of two legs moving freely, fitted with a non-slip rubber tip, and a very wide leg, which gives the whole thing stability. (caption under picture #2)

The tripod legs of Gymbl

The matching tripod head (caption under picture # 4)

First shots with the Gymbl

The head of Gymbl makes a setup that can be tilted by a pivot hinge on a 180 degree axis and can rotated 360 ​​degrees.

The iPhone is attached thereto by sliding the Gymbl case on this head. This then results in a plethora of different usage scenarios, because the tripod head can even be tilted away even in some positions.

Gymbl in the meadow with tilted tripod head

Gymbl and iPhone in portrait orientation

Gymbl with iPhone when using the front camera

Suitable for everyday use

Due to its small size Gymbl is very easy and convenient to transport. Takes up hardly any space and weighs no more than a glove, so that it can be taken along on every walk, comfortably in a trouser or jacket pocket.

The Case for the iPhone on the one hand enlarges the dimensions of the iDevice, but on the other hand it provides for a very good grip and added stability when taking pictures and movies.

The sleeve for iPhone as pushed together

The iPhone is completely enclosed and provides and excellent grip.

All controls are accessible as before.

Those who have an iPhone 4S, will appreciate the utility when shooting videos, it automatically gives less wobbling. iPhone 4 owners can achieve equally good results with the Gymbl. By folding the tripod together, the legs become a “rod” and with the whole design one can hold it firmly to succeed also with smoother shots.

If you have the possibility to place Gymbl on a firm surface, you can perform with a little practice, even real panning. These are then absolutely horizontal, without shaking and give your video a professional incredible character.

Those who use apps like Slow Shutter, would also not like to do without the Gymbl: long exposures always require a tripod and the Gymbl is a super alternative to a large tripod, if you do not already have one.

If you already own a tripod, but are looking for a safe way to mount the iPhone on it, has two options to choose from. One is the GLIF, which I have introduced to you some time ago already. The GLIF is a pure stand attachment, you attach the iPhone into (works with the iPhone 4 and 4S).

The Gymbl can also be screwed onto a tripod. May look a bit out of the ordinary, because of the way the feet of the Gymbl are positioned, but it works.

Conclusion
Anyone who uses his iPhone 4 and 4S as the main camera – apart from the DSLR – will find in Gymbl a strong and versatile partner for creative photo opportunities.

It must be clear, that the Gymbl is not a full tripod-replacement. Due to its size, it is best to compare it with a table stand. That makes it incredibly portable, but when it’s time to go up high, this little one is reaching its limits.

Nevertheless, it is a very stable and safe alternative for those looking for a convenient stand for your iPhone to shoot better video and even better pictures.

You can read the full review here….

(This is a translation of the German language blog.)

You can use it as a stand to watch media or run FaceTime; use it as a grip to help eliminate shake while capturing moving scenes; set it up as a tripod and you’ve got a steady base for video or for capturing panoramic views. Need a bigger tripod? No problem, there’s an adapter in the Gymbl’s base so that you can put the whole thing atop your regular tripod, too.

Read more here…

We are pleased to contribute prizes in the iPhoneography International Exhibition that is being put on by FX Photo Studio.

New York, USA
Soho Gallery for Digital Art
December 16 – 22, 2011

Share your best pictures, created with FX Photo Studio app for a chance to get featured at International iPhoneography Show in New York a week before Christmas.

Doesn’t matter if you are a pro or amateur, if your pictures are good, the will become part of the exhibition. Plus you’ll get awesome prizes, including Apple Gift Cards, iPhoneography hardware and interview with popular photography media.

You can submit as many pictures as you like, there are no entry fees and no hidden tricks, so let your creativity blossom and click Submit when ready to send your awesome photography!