Recommended Cameras/Lasers for RC

Hi

We are currently into scanning of Heritage Monuments and structures in India. These are very detailed sculptures located on the outer and inner walls of various temples across India.
I wish to know what is the right equipment to capture these historic monuments.

Currently we are using DSLR cameras and the latest mobile phones. However, as we also plan to 3D Print these, we are looking at the right items for the same.

A few issues: These are all stone structures carved/sculpted hundreds of years ago and are effected by nature and also by invaders in the past.
Many are above the human height and high above the ground.
Some are inside the temples which are with minimal lighting or naturally lit.

There are some scanners in the market which come with their own processing software. However, due to the capabilities of RC, we would like stick to RC and use compatible lasers/cameras.

Thanks for the support.

Regards
Giridhar Puthige

Hello Giridhar,
we can’ t give you a direct recommendation for such stuff. You could follow these basic settings and options for cameras:

  • Focal Length: 24 mm - 50 mm (full frame)
  • Aperture: f10
  • Shutter speed: 250
  • ISO: 100 - 400

Camera

  • Full-frame camera bodies because of price / performance ratio
    • A Sweet spot is around 40 Mpix because of quality and time to process the data
    • Higher megapixel count requires a shorter shutter speed (max 250/s) or tripod
  • Digital medium format camera bodies for best quality
    • Requires skill
    • Usually no automatic capturing modes
    • large sensor introduce noise even when using ISO 1600
    • Slower autofocus and slower to use
    • Best image quality and dynamic range

Lens

  • Full frame
    • preferably a high quality prime lens
    • Not bellow 20 mm
    • Not use rectilinear wide lens
    • No 360
    • With zoom lens keep same focal length
  • Medium format

Tripod and Monopod with a ball head

Regarding the laser scans, RealityCapture supports only terrestrial laser scanners naturally. The other scans (handheld) need to be processed additionally to create the virtual scan stations.