Topic: Not a film camera, but...

[moominsean]

seriously, check out the size of this effin' thing! It'd be great just to carry this around for the reaction...plus the shots are pretty sweet.

http://www.roundshot.ch/xml_1/internet/de/application/d438/d925/f934.cfm

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[FrankB]

The ergonomic hand grips are great. They should really keep it steady. One question though - if the shutter release is that red button on the sticky-out thing coming off the lens (I can't see it anywhere else, but I've only skimmed the article and may be wrong), what are you supposed to press it with?! 

[Francois]

I'm wondering if anyone has taken the time to read the full info sheet details on this monster?

Well, I did and let me just say that if ridicule doesn't kill, this thing is borderline...

It is 19 inches (495mm) long and weights in at almost 6 pounds (2.8kg)...
But the camera alone doesn't work... because it produces files which are too big (160 Mega Pixels)
306Mb in RAW or 922Mb in Tiff ....
So you need a special computer on a shoulderstrap to store all the data... very convenient.
They opted for a Mac Mini... which with the battery set adds another 6 pounds (2.8kg) to your back.
And a wireless control device is also needed for previews...
And a special 12volt battery pack is needed to power the whole thing...
So you end up carrying a minimum of 12 pounds (5.4kg) of gear to take panoramic photos.

And, to add to the weirdness of the thing, it uses a scanning sensor (which takes 1 second to complete the exposure...)

All this for a meager 28'900 euro...

After reading all this, I think I'll be sticking with film...