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Posts Tagged ‘Ricoh’s’

Ricoh’s Theta Plug-in store is now live

24 Jul

Ricoh has announced that its Plug-in Store for the Theta V 360 camera is now live, featuring plugins created by Ricoh, and others by third-party developers as part of the the Theta Plug-in Partner Program.

The Store provides access to downloadable Plug-ins which will add various features to the Android-based Theta V, including wireless streaming, automatic uploads, and an automatic face blurring feature for anonymizing people captured in 360-degree imagery.

Read our impressions of the Ricoh Theta V

Press Release:

RICOH THETA Plug-in Store Goes Live

RICOH THETA V owners can now “customize” their 360-degree camera with new functionality via downloadable plug-ins from new online marketplace

TOKYO, July 23, 2018 – Ricoh today announced the RICOH THETA Plug-in Store has gone live. The new, online marketplace makes available downloadable software plug-ins that provide new functionality for the RICOH THETA V fully spherical camera, such as wireless live streaming, remote camera control, automatic image uploads and much more. Starting today, plug-ins created by Ricoh and such organizations as Sony, NTT DOCOMO and HoloBuilder can be downloaded from the site.

The plug-ins are being created by members of the RICOH THETA Plug-in Partner Program, which allows third-party developers to create their own Android™-based software plug-ins for the RICOH THETA V, a camera capable of capturing fully-spherical 4K-equivalent video and high-resolution still images. Based on the open-architecture Android operating system, the RICOH THETA V is unique among 360-degree imaging cameras in that its functionality can be further expanded by installing plug-ins.

“The new THETA Plug-in Store helps us serve our customers with technology solutions that directly impact their bottom line,” said Mostafa Akbari, CEO of HoloBuilder, which joined the Plug-in Partner Program to build innovative, secure and user-friendly applications for the construction industry. “We are thrilled that Ricoh is providing this flexible, customizable system for developers to get 360-degree technology solutions out quickly and proud to announce our first RICOH THETA Plug-in: HoloBuilder 360 SiteStream. This is the world’s first 360-degree livestreaming application that helps general contractors and owners monitor construction site progress from a first-person perspective, in real time.”

Ricoh kicked-off the RICOH THETA Plug-in Partner Program last month, with a website that provides easy access to tools and online support. Since then, many developers have joined the program, and five third-party plug-ins are currently available from the store. Three new plug-ins developed by Ricoh are also available.

Ricoh intends to continue to add capabilities to the development environment to meet the needs of consumers and businesses.

New Plug-ins created by third-party developers

  1. Device WebAPI Plug-in

Developer:

NTT DOCOMO, INC. (Development framework provider) (https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/)

GClue, Inc. (Application developer) (www.gclue.com)

NTT DOCOMO has created new functionality for the existing WebAPI plug-in (developed by GGlue) that enables it to collect information from and control the function of the RICOH THETA V’s built-in sensor. The Device WebAPI Plug-in conforms to OMA GotAPI specifications, which builds a WebAPI on the RICOH THETA V device and enables function access via a common WebAPI on other devices such as smartphones.

  1. MESH plugin for RICOH THETA

Developer: Sony Corporation (www.meshprj.com)?

MESH is a platform of app-enabled smart triggers that can transform everyday objects into smart devices that can be controlled from a phone or tablet. The new MESH plugin for RICOH THETA enables direct control of the RICOH THETA V via a MESH block.

  1. EVRYPLACE Sync

Developer: EVRYPLACE (www.evryplace.com)

EVRYPLACE Sync allows for seamless uploads of images created using RICOH THETA V camera and the EVRYPLACE app. Using the plugin, individuals using the EVRYPLACE editor can get instant updates on their projects. They can choose 360 images on RICOH THETA V, open the EVRYPLACE app, and then upload these directly from the camera to their project. EVRYPLACE is ideal for real estate sales, delivery documentation, insurance documentation, training material updates and more.

  1. HoloBuilder 360 SiteStream

Developer: HoloBuilder, Inc. (www.holobuilder.com)

HoloBuilder’s 360 SiteStream plug-in gives construction companies 24/7 access to view construction sites in 360° through livestreaming (Livestreaming duration depends on usage environment). Users can set up a RICOH THETA V in mission-critical locations on a construction site and then remotely zoom into the project from anywhere to see what is going on in real time. The plug-in allows adding an infinite number of 360-degree livestreams. The plug-in is part of HoloBuilder’s reality-capturing solution, which enables integration of livestreams into existing HoloBuilder projects to combine all visual site documentation.

  1. Fita

Developer: Everywoah (www.fita.io)

Fita is a plug-in suite that enables RICOH THETA V owners to connect to Google Cloud Storage. As an onboard RICOH THETA V camera plug-in and a companion Android or iOS app for your device, Fita allows the RICOH THETA V to upload media to a connected Google Cloud StorageTM account for optimal workflow and team collaboration for 360-degree photo and video workflow over Wireless LAN.

New Plug-ins from Ricoh

  1. Wireless Live Streaming: allows for wireless fully-spherical live-streaming on YouTubeTM
  2. Automatic Face Blur (Beta): provides facial recognition and enables faces to be blurred for privacy/security reasons
  3. File Cloud Upload: automatically uploads images saved on the RICOH THETA V to Google PhotosTM via a router

You can learn about the other plug-ins that Ricoh is planning to upload in this web page:

http://theta360.com/en/about/theta/v/roadmap.html

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Hands-on with Ricoh’s compact Pentax KP

26 Jan

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Ricoh has taken the wraps off it’s newest DSLR, the APS-C format KP. Resembling a mini Pentax K-1, and inheriting some of the same features, the KP will replace the K-3 II in Ricoh’s APS-C lineup. We got our hands on a pre-production sample recently, and we’ve prepared a quick product tour. 

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

The KP really does look like a scaled-down K-1, with the same distinctive slab-sided Pentaprism hump. Ricoh tells us that they were aiming for a camera with a similar size as a competitive mirrorless model, but without sacrificing the experience of using an optical viewfinder.

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

One major different between the KP and the K-1 is a built-in flash. It’s not particularly powerful (GN 6, at ISO 100) but should be useful for close-range portraiture and fill-in. Speaking (kind of) of low-light photography, the KP’s 27-point SAFOX 11 autofocus system should be usable down to -3EV.  

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Probably the biggest upgrade in the KP compared to the K-3 II is its sensor. The KP boasts a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, with a maximum ISO sensitivity of ISO 819,200, supported by a built-in 5-axis ‘SR II’ stabilization system. Ricoh claims that this system will deliver an effective benefit of 5 stops of stabilization. 

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

The KP’s 3″ rear LCD features a resolution of 920k-dots, which is average for a midrange DSLR at this point. While it doesn’t offer the highest resolution on the market, it’s clear and detailed, and can also be tilted outwards.

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Sadly (hey, we’re nerds), the articulation mechanism is a conventional tilting hinge. There’s no sign of the K-1’s unique Apollo Lander-style struts. The tilting screen will be handy for several kinds of still photography, and also video. The KP’s video specification is relatively unremarkable (1080/30p) but it does feature a ‘4K Interval Movie mode’. This combines a series of 4K-resolution still images (3840 x 2160 pixels) taken at a fixed intervals to create a single movie file.

For those who want to output video to an external recorder or TV, do note that Ricoh has done way with the HDMI port on the KP. Instead, you need to buy a dongle which attaches to the ‘SlimPort’ (basically a microUSB jack with video output capability). RIcoh says the HDMI port was removed to keep the size of the camera down.

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Pentax has been adding options to the traditional PASM quartet for years, and the KP is no exception. It’s exposure mode dial is crowded with settings, and includes five (five!) custom ‘U’ preset positions plus Scene Analyze Auto, Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, and Bulb. 

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

This view shows off the KP’s nicely-sized front and rear control dials, and another top-mounted mode dial, with another three custom positions. This time for bracketing options, which include two new tools – ‘Motion Bracketing’ (shutter speed) and Depth-of-field Bracketing (aperture).

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

A D-LI109 battery should deliver between 390-420 shots per charge, depending on flash use. This view shows off the rubber gaskets around the battery compartment door. Unusually these days, Ricoh calls the KP ‘weatherproof’ and claims that the KP is ‘dustproof and weather-sealed’ and capable of operating at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 C).

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Here’s something else that’s a bit unusual – removable hand-grips. The KP ships with a medium-sized grip attached as standard, but with a few turns of an allen wrench…

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

it can be popped right off, and replaced with smaller or larger grips, which are included in the box.

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

The large grip goes especially well with the new optional battery grip. 

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Please note that the grip shown here is an engineering prototype and is not cosmetically representative of the final shipping product (which will be more textured, and less shiny).

The D-BG7 Battery Grip can hold one extra battery, and an extra memory card (stowed, not as usable media). It will also be sold with a tray to adapt the K-70’s batteries to be used with the KP. The KP’s maximum shooting rate of 6 fps is not affected by the battery grip. 

Hands-on with new Pentax KP

Here’s that tray, in action. 

The KP will be available on February 25 for a suggested list price of $ 1,099.95. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh’s newest lens roadmaps show four upcoming K-mount lenses

13 Feb

Ricoh has released its lens roadmaps for the new year (and potentially beyond), and in the works are seven lenses spanning a wide range of types and focal lengths. The highest number of additions will come in the Pentax K-Mount lineup, which is set to get four new lenses this year or next. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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CP+ 2015: Up close and personal with Ricoh’s full-frame Pentax mockup

12 Feb

After announcing the development of a full-frame DSLR recently, Ricoh is showing a very early mockup at the CP+ show in Yokohama Japan. Although details are extremely limited (limited, in fact, to the words ‘Full-frame’ in the press release and ‘Pentax’ written on the front) Ricoh’s mockup does give some clues as to the camera’s specification. Kind of. Click through for images and some – frankly – rampant speculation. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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