So, what’s in the box?

The two key components are a split case and the panoramic lens.  The split case allows you to use the Glif iPhone stand to attach the phone to a tripod.  The panoramic lens is quite small and light enough to fit in your pocket.  A QR sticker on the box links you to the app store so you can get the accompanying application.  After downloading the app, currently version .9, it’s simply a matter of clipping on the case and attaching the panoramic lens.  The app is reasonably intuitive with functions to re-align the centre of the lens and refocus the scene.

GoPano Micro 360 lens

In practice it’s all quite easy – although you do get some very funny looks from passersby. Have a look at my video walking through Borough Market – check out the expressions of the people behind me (especially the security guard!).

First impressions are as expected.

The quality similar to the sony bloggie but the exposure compensation and focus seem to be a little far from finished.  I think an enhancement for the future should be to separate the focus and exposure functions into a facility similar to that shown in Camera+.  The next version of the app will introduce the ability to upload directly to the GoPano website – a process which requires you to upload when you get home in the current version.

Obviously, with the release of the iPhone 4S there should be a dramatic improvement with regards to image quality and smoothness with which the app records the action.

As a side test, I had a go with the Kogeto Looker app which is also free using the GoPano micro lens.  The difference between the maturity in the app design is strongly in favour of the GoPano app.  The kogeto app records the 360 polar image and then transforms it once you’ve finished recording.  Not much of a problem when you consider that you can’t actually see the screen when using the kogeto dot lens!

Canon Battery Pack LP-E6
Hoya 58mm HMC NDX4 Filter
Hoya 58mm Circular PL Filter
Ex-Pro 58mm White Balance Lens Cap.
Canon PowerShot G10
HDMI to Mini HDMI Cable
Air Duster
LCDVF LCD View finder
Giottos MH621 Sliding Quick Release Adapter Plate
Canon TC 80N3 – Camera Remote Control – Cable

And the two things that go over my shoulder are

Giotto – 4 Section Pro Carbon Fibre Tripod With Two-Way Column
Giottos MH5001

The road from Lhasa ascends quickly to the plateau (don’t look out of the side window if you suffer from vertigo) and then follows the newly constructed railway that runs from Lhasa to Beijing.  As my guide points out – “It used to be much beautiful before they built the railway right through here” – an odd comment from a chinese guide….

After many, many, many more checkpoints we arrive at Laken pass at an altitude of 5190m to an impromptu snow storm. Looking around you could think that the snow up here is a one off as I seem to be the only “tour” with a 4*4. The drive down from the pass to the lake is both spectacular and frightening. Snow, ice, slush, lorries and Yaks all seem to be on a suicide mission – or perhaps they’re just late for the next checkpoint.

Permits checked for the last time we drive along the peninsular to the Tashi Dor monastery. Unfortunately, the thing that stands out the most here (and does elsewhere in Tibet) is the number of Chinese tourists. Yaks line the lake ready to have the Chinese hop on it’s back for the obligatory photo shot. A little further down the peninsula, a chinese couple are getting married. A notable omission to the general scenery are the Tibetans – I hope they have found a more peaceful place to enjoy their heritage.

This was also the first trip where I took my Sony MHS-PM5K camera along for a little 360˙ fun.  I only shot a couple of movies but it appears to work well – once you remove the protective plastic cover!

Here’s the various formats of video : raw footage

Old school processed youtube (HD)

And the 360 flash player from Ruybin (click and drag around the video to change the point of view)