chrome ball - need one badly

[Morbid Angel]

We need a chrome ball to shoot some hdri probes on set, so anyone has any suggestions as to where one could possibly find a ball a size of bowling ball or whatever.
Thanks.

[natty]

ive just PM'd you ..

[percydaman]

sure, just keep the info to yourself...

[jujubee]

Don't go this route if you want quality results (a working background image that is.)

I've got my bearing from Mcmaster Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

If you do go that route get a larger size and make sure the polish levels are very high. It'll run you some good change. In all actuallity, I get better results/reflectivity off of one of my Xmas tree ornaments.

You'll also want a microfiber cloth and a method to support the bearing. The problem with this method is that it's nearly impossible not to get a blurry background. I've talked to other people about this and they all agree.

If you really want to get quality results, just cough up the money and use a fisheye lens for your camera and use the fish-eyed method of HDRI capturing. This is the way Dosch does theres Hi-Res HDRIs. It'll be a world easier especially when it comes to final compositing (only two angles versus shooting every 15 or so degrees at 7+ different aperatures.) A remote also helps to avoid minor blur from pressing down the shutter. And you also have to make sure the center of the camera lens rotates around a specific angle versus being offset. There are several scripts written for the Canon EOS which takes incremental photos in rapid succession, thereby insuring more accurate results (less blur.) With non-SLR cameras you'll probably have to get an adapter for the fish-eye as well.

There are always places which rents High megapixel cameras with lenses in case you don't feel like spending the cash...

[Morbid Angel]

percy huh?

[natty]

heheh ... im not sure if this person would want every person contacting him wanting info on a chrome ball .. but if you need his details, let me know.

[Morbid Angel]

juju - we need the hdri for reflections only...maybe some gi not sure tho....But thanks that could be an alternative

[Mark David]

hey !!! what the heck is a chrome ball????

damn, this is a weird post...

[RErender]

geez Mark, didn't you know that every CG artist worth his salt has chrome balls? Don't you?

[percydaman]

mine aren't chrome...their brass.... sorry but i had to do it...

[RErender]

Mark, check out flipside's page http://www.aversis.be/hdri/

[Mark David]

Sorry guys, didn´t realize it was this, i have some here too

Sometimes i do dynamic reading lolol, and i miss some parts.


thanks for the fast reply

Mark

lol

[Morbid Angel]

well i dont know about brass or chrome balls....i'd like to think that i have iron balls lol

[Trapezium]

My ball makes funny noises If ya'lls don't I think I may have a big problem Hold on just one second there... I only have one You guys are talking in plural like it's normal or something

http://www.momentum98.com/chineseballs.html#new3)
(Hilariously cruel web site design so some directions are needed Scroll down to the bottom and look under the heading "Huge Chinese Ex Balls")

These are a cheaper/ larger solution and just as reflective as a bearings but you still really need the greatest telephoto as not to have the cameraman too close and obstructing half the image.

--Jon

[jujubee]

@Trapezium - that probably makes the most sense. I noticed they are more reflective than the one I purchased from Mcmaster - and alot cheaper (but easier to scratch.)