Train Car © John Neel HDR with RhinoCam and Sony NEX 6
Rust and Graffiti…with a RhinoCam…and a Sony NEX
Working with a RhinoCam is a lot like using a large format camera.
Like the large format camera, you need to think through the entire process. There is a setup that requires a tripod, focusing and aperture settings are done manually, and exposures are best done in manual mode. There is a sequence to follow in order to insure a good outcome. The procedure will vary slightly depending on the type of medium format lens used as well as shooting conditions. Patience and thought are part of the making. They are essential characteristics for this kind of camera work. Personally, I love the fact that I have to slow down a bit and contemplate the process.
The main advantage of using a device such as the RhinoCam to produce (medium format) large format digital images is that the lens is fixed in one position relative to the subject, thus eliminating the problems of parallax. The price is also a plus.
It is important to pay attention to a number of things throughout the shooting process. For instance, it is easy to forget to stop the lens down before shooting your sequence. It is also important that things do not move between the overlapped frames. Such things as wind can offset the results and cause problems. There are other considerations when shooting HDR work. In order to maintain consistency with exposure, it is important to use manual settings on the camera.
Once you get the hang of the procedure, the unit becomes much easier to use.
The current version of the RhinoCam requires a Sony NEX E mount camera. I used a Sony NEX 6 for the work shown here. It is a great combination in that the NEX 6 can shoot the HDR exposures very quickly and the APS sensor allows very sharp results. For the front lens, I used a Hasselblad 80mm Planar. For me, the NEX 6 has more than enough pixels. The actual image that was created will easily make a 30″ X 40″ print with amazing detail. To find out more about how this image was created please continue to Part 2.
Continued in Part 2
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