CX2 - Miniature mode

[thelps]

The idea of tilt shift is to keep everything in focus this is why I wonder why 'miniature mode' has been likened to tilt/shift. The lens is an architectural one and can keep sweeping panoramas in better focus at smaller stops by by using the tilt feature. However it is possible to reverse its use to throw parts of the image out of focus - this is more the use of a by-product than its intended use and in the case of the original Canon models can only be done up-down or left-right depending upon the factory setting. Shift of course is designed to fix parallax and does not give a blurrring effect.

Yes, its like it could have been called "special tilt effect mode" or something or other, but I guess that is too long a name. Tilts and shifts originally came from the large format crowd and then specialist lenses appeared for the 35mm SLR crowd later. I owned an Olympus Zuiko 35mm shift for a while but no tilt on that one - perspective control only. It was too expensive to warrant keeping for the use I gave it.

The face of photography is changing as you can correct converging verticals in software as well as Pavel suggested you can do this miniature mode in software. Somehow getting the original image from a CX2 seems more appealing?!

[33dollars]

Miniature scene mode is one of the most fun (and surprisingly very useful) features introduced with CX2.

I was totalaly unawhere that this feature was available. It make sence that it can be done in canera with the flick of a button. (Ricoh, ya gotta luv em..)
Does the CX2 have interval 5 sec. to 3Hr. for timelapse? Because I've seen PP filters appleied to images latter & they do look fake.
Your images from the CX look almost like the real deal.
And how hard would it be to do this in camera with the push of a button.
Just move digataly the image over there. Although its more engineering & harder than that in reality.(Or so the boffins at Ricoh would say)
"Its not rocket sugery. Its digital ! "
Well done Ricoh, this is a feature I want.

[jocs]

Hope we can get that on the GRD III as a firmware update as well... Hope that can be done?!

[odklizec]

jocs:
Yep, I'm sure this can be done. It's completely SW process and GRDIII should be powerful enough for this process. But you know, GRDIII is different kind of camera and its Scene modes are very limited because GRDIII users just don't want/need them. Especially not RAW photographers, where they are useless.

33dollars:
CX2 (as well as GRDIII) have reduced timelapse range from 5 secs to 1 hour. I guess the explanation of dropping 3 hours range lies in he battery drain.

Not so long ago, I tried to run long timelapse (one picture every hour) with GRDII and fully charged battery. The camera "died" only after taking 4 pics (it means 3 hours and few minutes of interval runtime)! If I would use 3 hours interval, the timelapse would end with just 2 taken pics. Another reason could be sensor heating?

In any case, I think the Ricoh implementation of timelapse mode with long intervals is not ideal. I believe the camera should be turned OFF between the long interval shots. Not necessarily with retracted lens. Just power OFF the sensor, LCD and almost everything except the timer and required electronic to be able to wake the camera up for next shot. This would greatly reduce the battery drain and allow to use long intervals with just single battery for a very long runtime. Sure, turning the camera OFF for intervals shorter or equal 1 minutes is probably useless. But I think this should be done for anything above 1 minute?