XPan Simulator Update

In the last post I introduced my in-camera (G5X and G7X) Xpan simulator, which I wrote to help hone/train my panoramic image capture, especially my composition eye.

The simulator restricts the field of view to the 45mm and 90mm Xpan lenses (35mm is too wide to simulate), but I've added an additional lens preset at 150mm.

It is a simple matter to add other lenses in the script.

In this update (downloaded from the right) I've added the following:

• The script now handles HDMI out and EVF, ie on the G5X, although CHDK has a quirk and the EVF display will have a gap on the right of the top and bottom black bars.
• The zoom is now enabled and using the zoom will take the simulator out of the XPan mode and allow you to explore other focal length. The script will, in this case, display the native focal length and the 35mm equivalent.

The following HDMI screen grabs illustrate the various functions/states.

In the above, we see the usual aspect view of the camera (3:2).

After switching on CHDK Alt mode we see the above, telling us CPAN is ready to run, which we do by pressing the Canon shutter button.

In the above we see the script's start up view, simulating a 45mm XPan field of view, ie based on the XPan's 65x24 negative size.

In the above we see I've switch to transparent mode, by pushing the UP button. I can toggle back and forth between dark and transparent modes by pressing the UP button.

Pressing the RIGHT button toggles through the XPan lens presets, ie 90mm above.

By using the Canon zoom you will take CPAN out of XPan mode and put it into a mode that gives you feedback on the native focal length you are at and the 35mm equivalent.

Pressing the RIGHT button will take the camera back into XPan mode.

At any time you can grab an image, at the native 3:2 ratio, by pressing the SET button.

Finally, if you don't have access to a CHDK enabled camera, then using a 6x4 grid, sometimes called a G24 grid, will give you a 3:1 pano grid, by using two adjacent rows. Plus, of course, you can use the G24 grid to aid your rule of thirds compositioning.

As usual I welcome any comments on this post or any of my posts.