Panoscan MARK TWO Installationshandbuch
PANOSCAN MARK TWO
OPERATION MANUAL
V1.1
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IMPORTANT ADDENDUM
This manual was written before the OS-X version 6.0.3 was released. Most of the features and
operation are identical in OS-X. There are a few things that you will need to be aware of when
using OS-X with this system.
Using the Firewire Converter with OS-X
The drivers for the Firewire converter are built into OS-X 10.2 or newer. There is no need to install
any additional drivers to use the camera system or converter. However there is an issue with the
OS-X and its ability to mount the camera. It is very important that you follow these steps exactly in
the correct order for the camera to mount on the system and work.
1. Before proceeding with connections power up the computer so it can be booting while you set
up the rest of the system.
2. Connect the converter SCSI connection to the processor module. DO NOT CONNECT THE
FIREWIRE YET.
3. Power up the processor module and verify that the green light on the converter is lighted.
4. Assuming the computer is now running, plug in the Firewire converter connection to the
computer. You will see the converter’s green light blink off for a moment. The red activity light on
the Processor will light up for several seconds. Wait for the red activity light on the Processor
module to go off.
5. Now unplug the Firewire connection. Wait at least 5 seconds and then restore the Firewire
connection. Wait another 10 seconds.
6. Start up the ViewFinder Software and you should now see that the camera is now ready to use.
Failure to follow these steps in order may cause the software to not recognize the camera is
connected. If you have trouble unplug the Firewire connection. Turn off the processor and repeat
steps 1 – 6.
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Scanning to RAM under OS-X
On page 20 of this manual there was a recommendation to scan to RAM with OS-9. This was due
to the fact that the file transfer mode in the ViewFinder 5 did not work correctly with the FireWire
converter. In ViewFinder 6 these issues have been corrected. Be sure “Small Transfers” option is
selected in the Preferences.
We now recommend saving and scanning to the processor’s hard drive for the best performance.
Scanning to RAM in OS-X is somewhat speed limited and the 125th shutter speed may corrupt full
resolution images. For this reason we recommend scanning to the camera’s hard drive when
running OS-X.
Sound
The “play sound after scanning” in this new 6.0.3 version is not fully implemented. There is only
one tome available and it is a 3 second long tone.
Known Issues with ViewFinder 6.0.3
You may notice a lag when first clicking on the color balance preset menu or the curve preset menu
for the first time. Be patient it will load in a second or two.
From time to time the file manager menu item may gray out and become unavailable. If this
happens just click on the focus or color tabs. This will reset the file manager menu item.
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Table of Contents
Pg.
5 Introduction
6 Parts List
7 Connector Identification
9 Installing and Configuring the ViewFinder™ Software
10 Memory Requirements
10 Scan to RAM Mode
10 System Requirements
11 Setting Up the System
22 Making Your First Scans
29 The Focus Tool
31 Saving Scans
32 Using the File Manager
34 Changing Filters
35 Cleaning the CCD
37 Focus Chart
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Introduction
Your Panoscan MK2 camera system is the result of a cooperative development project between
Panoscan Inc. and Better Light Inc. Mamiya-Sekor also contributed lenses and advice to the project.
Without the cooperation of these partners the MK2 could not have been developed. Panoscan
would like to thank our partners for their help with the MK2 camera and this manual.
Although Better Light offers a panoramic adapter solution for their 4 x 5 scan back this system was
not well suited for wide angle photography. While the 4 x 5 cameras offer unparalleled flexibility
for studio photography they are somewhat limited with respect to wide angle lens choices. The
typical 4 x 5 camera setup was also limited in portability.
At Panoscan we understood that the Better Light scanning system was producing the best image
quality with the shortest scan times possible. We also saw that the system was far more sensitive
than our original MK1 camera system. It became clear that a system that combined the Better Light
technology with a camera body that could accept wide angle lenses would make the ideal
panoramic camera solution.
The MK 2 camera is the unique result of combining Better Light’s extraordinary scanning system
with our custom designed camera body that accepts superb Mamiya-Sekor optics. This camera was
designed from the ground up to provide the best possible image quality attainable in a panoramic
scene. The 645 format Mamiya lenses were selected because they cover the CCD perfectly and
Mamiya is the only 645 system that offers a 180 degree fisheye lens. The optical quality of the
Mamiya 24mm fisheye lens is extraordinary.
This manual will take you through the basic setup and operation of the MK2 camera system. It is
intended to familiarize you with the unique features of this system. We have also included Better
Light’s manuals with your system. Better Light’s manuals will go into more detail on specific
software features and we encourage you to read that manual too.
While we make every attempt in suggesting tips and techniques for getting the most out of this
system we make no attempt to teach basic photographic skills in this manual. We are assuming a
professional level of photographic proficiency on the reader of this manual. Ultimately the results
you achieve with this system are dependent on your skill, experience and creativity.
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Parts List
Your Panoscan MK2 camera system comes with the following parts. The standard configuration
should have included a wheeled hard case, which is not shown in the picture below.
If you notice that any pieces are missing please contact Panoscan immediately for assistance.
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Connector Identification
There are two main parts to your camera system. There is the main camera body shown on the
bottom and the processor module shown on the top.
The camera contains the CCD and an electronics bay that drives the pan motor and shutter motor.
The camera is powered through the DB-25 cable that connects the camera to the Processor. Use
only the double-shielded cable supplied with the camera. The interface between the
camera and processor module is proprietary, and NOT SCSI !
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The Processor module contains the power supply, battery charger, digital signal processor and hard
drive. The processor is the ‘heart” of the system. The processor module is equipped with air vents
and a fan to circulate air through the electronics. Care must be taken to avoid blocking the fan and
air vents. The case provided by Panoscan is designed to allow air to flow correctly around the
processor module so you do not need to remove it from the storage case during use.
Also… Extreme care should be taken to avoid bumping the processor module while the system is
powered up because it contains a hard drive. We recommend leaving the processor module in the
storage case during use to ensure it is protected from bumps and it gets proper airflow.
WARNING: Blocking the air vents or fan WILL cause damage to the processor module.
(Especially while charging a battery.)
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Installing and Configuring the ViewFinder™ Software
Your MK2 camera comes with software that has been developed by Better Light Inc. This software
is called ViewFinder™. Insert the CD containing the ViewFinder camera control software and click
on the installer. The installer will place the application folder at the root level of your boot drive.
The Installer will also install the drivers for the Firewire converter. After the computer reboots you
may remove the CD and store it in a safe place.
Although Better Light distributes their new software versions on the Better Light web site we strongly
recommend that you only download software versions for the MK2 from the Panoscan web site.
Panoscan will test and verify compatibility with the MK2 before posting any new versions. Beware
any versions that have not been specifically tested by Panoscan for use with your MK2 camera.
The ViewFinder software maintains a preferences file, named “ViewFinder Prefs”, which
must be in the same folder as the application itself. Preferences stored in this file are used to
determine startup settings each time the software is launched. You can alter these settings and save
new preferences, which will then be used on subsequent startups of the software.
You may also save and reload different settings files, which you create, each containing a complete
set of camera control selections that are customized to your unique camera setups (e.g. client
project, or lighting system). A saved group of camera settings will include all settings for all controls
and tab windows as they were at the time the settings were saved, including: Line Time, ISO, Size,
To save a new choice of camera settings as the startup set, use the Save Preferences menu item
under the File menu. To save a group of camera settings for future recall at any time, use the Save
Settings... menu item under the File menu; this will bring up a standard Save dialog, which allows
you to name this settings file and place it in the folder of your choice. To load a settings file, use the
Load Settings... menu item under the File menu; this will bring up a standard Open dialog, which
allows you to open and load a previously saved settings file from any folder.
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Memory Requirements
In OS-9. The ViewFinder software requires about 20,000K bytes (about 20 MB) of memory to
operate,
as shown in its Get Info window. There is no performance advantage to assigning additional
memory to the control software application. For proper operation, VIRTUAL MEMORY MUST BE
TURNED OFF.
Scan to RAM Mode
For scans to be taken directly to the host Macintosh’s RAM, enough uncommitted (not already
assigned to any application) RAM memory must be available to hold the desired image size for the
scan. The amount of uncommitted memory may be determined from the “Largest Free Memory”
field within the “About this Macintosh” menu selection. Otherwise, the “Scan to RAM” checkbox
will be disabled (grayed out) in the main control window. If enough free memory exists, the control
software will “borrow” it from the System for the duration of the scan, and then release it back to the
System after writing the new image data to the computer’s internal disk drive.
System Requirements
Macintosh Computer
G3 processor or better (iBook and Powerbook supported.)
Mac OS 9.2 or OS-X 10.2 or later. (Classic mode in X NOT supported.)
24-bit color graphics display and video card with 1024 x 768 minimum resolution
SCSI-2 Interface (HD-50), or Firewire converter provided by Panoscan.
128 MB RAM minimum (additional RAM required for Scan to RAM operation)
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