On set reference for PAs

How to Capture a 360 HDRI with the Ricoh Theta V

Follow this guide exactly to record a 5 shot bracketed 360 image for the VFX team. No camera knowledge needed.

What is this for

You are going to take a set of five 360 photos at different brightness levels using a Ricoh Theta V. The VFX team will merge these later into a single high dynamic range image for lighting and reflections.

1. Install the Ricoh Theta App

Install the official Ricoh Theta app on your phone so you can control the camera.

Once installed, open the app so it is ready when you get to set.

2. What you need on set

1. Open the tripod and set it on level ground.
2. Screw the Ricoh Theta V onto the tripod until it is snug.
3. Stand back and check that the camera is upright and not leaning.
4. Place it where cast and crew will not walk through it during the capture.

1. Turn on the Theta V using the power button on the side.
2. Press the WiFi button on the side of the camera so the blue WiFi light comes on.
3. On your phone, open WiFi settings and look for a network name that starts with THETA.
4. Tap that network. For the password, enter the numbers printed on the bottom of the camera label.
5. Once WiFi connects, open the Ricoh Theta app. You should see a 360 preview from the camera.

1. In the Theta app, make sure you are in Still image mode, not video.
2. Tap the settings gear icon in the upper right corner.
3. Find the setting called Shooting method and choose Multi bracket shooting.
4. The app will show a list of bracket “parameters” such as 01, 02, 03 and so on. You will use five of these.

You will create five shots that are identical except for shutter speed. ISO and white balance must stay the same for all of them.

1. Select parameter 01 in the list.
2. Set:
   • ISO to 100 (for daylight) or 400 (for darker interiors).
   • White balance to a fixed value:
     • 5600 K or Outdoor/Daylight for daylight.
     • 3200 K or Tungsten for warm indoor light.
   • Set Shutter speed to 1/25 second. This is your brightest shot.
3. Confirm or tap Decide to save parameter 01.
4. Repeat for parameters 02 to 05, keeping ISO and white balance the same but changing shutter speed:
   • Parameter 01: 1/25 s
   • Parameter 02: 1/100 s
   • Parameter 03: 1/400 s
   • Parameter 04: 1/1600 s
   • Parameter 05: 1/6400 s
   These five speeds are each two stops apart which covers a wide brightness range.

Before you shoot, quietly tell people nearby:

“Please hold still for ten seconds. We are capturing a lighting reference and the camera must not be bumped.”

1. Stay in the Theta app live view.
2. Check that Multi bracket is still selected.
3. Press the large shutter button at the bottom of the app once.
4. The Theta V will now take all five photos, one after another, using your parameters 01 to 05.
5. Watch the camera lights. Do not touch the camera until the lights stop blinking and the app shows that shooting is complete.

You should now move the five images off the camera.

Option A - using the Theta app

1. Stay connected to the Theta WiFi.
2. Open the Gallery inside the Theta app.
3. Find the five new images from your capture. They will look like the same view but with different brightness.
4. Select them and download them to your phone.

Option B - using a computer

1. Turn off WiFi on the camera.
2. Connect the Theta V to a laptop using a USB cable.
3. Open the camera storage on the computer like a normal drive.
4. Copy the latest five JPEG files into a folder for this shot.

Rename the files if possible so the order is clear, for example:

HDRI_01_1-25s.jpg
HDRI_02_1-100s.jpg
HDRI_03_1-400s.jpg
HDRI_04_1-1600s.jpg
HDRI_05_1-6400s.jpg

Send the folder with all five images to the VFX team using the method they specified, for example:

• Google Drive or Dropbox upload
• WeTransfer link
• AirDrop to the supervisor laptop

Include a short note such as:

“Theta V 5 shot bracket. ISO 100, WB 5600 K. Shutter 1/25 to 1/6400 in two stop steps.”

Quick checklist for production assistants