http://www.spheron.de/spheron/public/en/ibl\_overview/ibl\_overview.php
thats the way hdri should be done!
That’s exactly the same methods described by debevic on his site and in his lectures (I’ve sat in on them several times now at siggraph). These guys are just using one of those motorized panoramic cams to do the capture. Debevic seems to prefer the chrome sphere or fisheye lens technique though.
ya I have one of those, but haven’t had the time to get out and use it yet.
okay j/k thats nice looking though. 
one piece like that costs around 60k…good luck