Remember "little books"?

When you were a kid, and gumball machines occasionally had prizes.  I always enjoyed those "little books"... tiny books that told a (short) story.

I mentioned ordering another camera a few days ago - it arrived this afternoon.  This is completely different from any kind of camera I've had before... and I've had a camera or two.  It pretty much doesn't matter where you place this one.  Or what direction it's facing.  You shoot the video, and then decide later where the camera should be pointed.

If you aren't familiar with those things, you aren't alone: I wasn't familiar with a "360 camera" until recently.  If you seen virtual tours on the internet (where you drag to see all around an interior of a house or an RV), that was done with a 360 camera.  The "360" refers to the view: the camera sees 360 degrees around it by using two lenses (one in the front, another in the rear) and internal software.  It's an interesting technology; not one that the casual camera-user will have much need for.

But, it does allow the user to do some unusual video effects.  And, ideal for use on a motorcycle or scooter: you don't have to point the camera any particular direction, since it sees all around.  If you use a GoPro on a bike, it sees only the direction it is pointed (although GoPro does offer a 360 camera).  Use a selfie-stick directly under the camera, and the stick "disappears," making it look like you have a drone or a crane/camera-operator following you around.  It isn't a "one trick pony," but it sure doesn't take the place of a more typical camera for stills or video.  Frankly, most people will get all the photography technology they need from their phone these days.

"OK, Jim, thanks for the lesson, but what does any of that have to do with little books?"

Thanks for asking - I was digressing a bit there again, huh?  The camera I got is an Insta360 One R - it has a form factor similar to a GoPro, but is modular: it has interchangeable 360 lenses and a 4k lens module.  Essentially, it can be a 360 camera or an action cam.  There is a lot to learn about it.  The owners manual is impossibly small...

Only about 6 pages of that little book are in English.  I've been learning more on-line.  Here's a look at the camera on a selfie stick...

I did mount it on the Vespa for a few trial runs.  It is going to take some practice to get good with it, but it seems way less frustrating than the GoPro I have.  The test runs on the Vespa were shot here at Hart Ranch... were the speed limit is 10mph... not exactly thrilling.  I'm looking forward to getting out and about on the scoots and give it a real test.