The Lytro is here!

Posted on by Lytro

Our journey continues…

Thank you for your curiosity, questions, advice and support since we announced the launch of Lytro. Today we’re excited to enter the next phase of the picture revolution by introducing you to our very first Lytro light field camera.

The Lytro Team

Read more:  Lytro Camera Launch Press Release

  • http://csgogame.com csgo news december

    Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

    • Lytro

      Load times can be slow right after we send emails and everyone hits the same picture at once. Please try again and let us know if you’re still having trouble. This FAQ has more info on supported browsers.

  • S

    I noticed that overall depth of field is not that great. Let me explain. Yes you can focus anywhere but other than the area you select the overall focus or depth of field in a single 2D image is pretty poor. Use the example of the woman with Mt Rushmore in the background. If I focus on either her or the Mountain the result is nothing I would brag about. The technology works but the software will need to be designed to allow combining several focal points into one 2D image better.

    The people posting regarding Linux might be important customers to keep interested. The best way to increase sales of these is if the software to manipulate the image is better and allowing Linux people to be involved would be like getting free support for your product. I also agree with the comment on extra 8GB for $100, complete rip-off, you need to allow external device like SD card.

    I was excited about this camera but now not so much because I see a small minded company trying to keep too much control which ultimately damages both the tech going forward and the success of the company.

  • Yokel

    I haven’t seen any info anywhere as to whether these ‘photos’ are exportable in any standard format or whether they remain simply in a Lytro proprietary format. For example, when I’ve chosen the depth of focus I like, can I export that as a JPEG or print it or similar? Or are these ‘photos’ meant to be viewed solely on a monitor/screen?
    Another question is what size are the photos?
    Whatever the answer, this camera looks amazing.
    Cheers, Yokel

    • Lytro

      There are many more FAQs on our Support site, including this one about printing. Hope this helps.

      • Yokel

        Thanks!

  • Frank V

    I posted earlier and can’t find answer or even my post. How are the posts organized and answered. Thanks

    • Lytro

      Frank – Thanks for checking back. Found your post. We’re still digging through. We have no immediate plans for an underwater housing, but you’re not the only one to inquire. Currently, for controls other adjusting the zoom slider, you can adjust exposure through the touchscreen. There’s more Q&A on the Support site that you might find helpful.

      • Frank V

        Thanks for your reply. Would love to see you post the operating manual in PDF so we can see how the various functions are controlled. Looking forward to holding and using it. May look for a housing which would work if only have to manipulate zoom and exposure button.

  • http://www.pierre-jean.net/live PIerre-jean

    hello,
    i am very interesing to try (and buy certainly) yout Lytro camera
    I am a french photographer specialised in live shooting of artist on stage
    but it’s impossible on your example and web site to appreciate realy the quality of the image.

    is it possible to see an image without web compression, in real size.

    best regards

    Pierre-jean

  • Charlie

    My take: think of this Lytro as one of the first digital cameras vs a decent film camera ‘back in the day’. Back then, film quality was still far superior ‘all things being equal’. But all things weren’t equal back then and they aren’t with this Lytro vs ‘regular’ digital camera either. The first digital users back then supported the technology because it offered them enough to do so and the ‘promise’ of better things to come was compelling enough. I think the same is true here. Right now, the camera technology is good enough to offer ‘people pictures’ in a unique way. Lytro is setting things up to tap that market first just as the first digital cameras did.
    I also think the software is simply not quite ready on the PC side. I’m confident it will be. I also think that software will improve dramatically once a big enough user base is established. Currently the easiest way to get images ‘out there’ is to set up a site to share them. That is what Lytro has done.
    Since the raw data file is new, the software needs to be developed (and ‘accepted’ ) and that takes time. This is their ‘short term’ solution, IMHO.
    I am a bit disappointed in several aspects of the initial offering, but I’ll support it anyway. Really, the selling points for me are no shutter lag and no focusing. Made for ‘people pics’ and hopefully perfect for ‘grandbaby moments’.
    Pre-ordering possibly 5 months in advance is a bit much to ask, given the lack of information on the product. Had Apple introduced this kind of product itself, you can bet it would be much more compelling (bells and whistles) from the get-go. And you can bet it would have had immediate acceptance. You kind of wonder if Apple isn’t just ‘waiting’ for the right moment to gobble them up. Wouldn’t be the first time.

  • Brent

    I would happily order one today but not without PC software… and I was really looking forward to it. While I know a lot of graphics folks still believe Macs are somehow “better” for doing their work (and we could argue that point for decades) I don’t see how going to market with only Mac software reinforces your desire for this technology to be available to non-pro consumers. All this does is make me feel like Lytro is just another snooty Mac user and I highly doubt that is what you were going for. (I’m just sharing my gut reaction here.)

  • Miles

    Night shot examples please. There are no night shot / very low light examples on the site.

  • MARKOS VALVIS

    when are u going to receive orders from abroad?
    When are going to be ready the windows software?
    Your camera is a miracle.
    Thanks

  • Peter

    What is the shutter speed?

    • Jeff

      I second and third this question but haven’t seen it answered anywhere in support or blog. How long is the exposure when you press the shutter and is it adjustable?

      • Lytro

        The exposure and shutter speed are automatic. More FAQs, including this one about manual controls, is on our Support site.

  • Stacy

    Well now that I know this camera is not made for large prints, I’m a definite NO. $400-500 for a camera I can’t make prints from? I would rather spend that money on a refurbished digital SLR.

    • Charlie

      Lytro said from the get go that it is not meant as a pro camera. They clearly said it would be priced to compete with p&s. That screams ‘not there yet’ for the ‘pros’. Did you really expect it to rival a SLR?

  • Ross

    Your design is exceptional. I really like the fact that it is so small and that it only has two button. This reminds me of the early ipods and how shocking it was for the general public. I have taken pictures on everything from a field view camera to a hasselblad and this is the future of photography. I can hardly wait to get it in my hands and then order the next generation of 3D. Lytro, I would love to have a job with and work on this cutting edge technology. Ren Ng, you are the next Steve Jobs. Cheers, Ross

  • Jdaie

    It looks awesome! ! Is it able to capture movies?
    I m imaging one day it would be combined with an eye tracker so that motion pictures would automatically focus on my viewpoint…then it would be a revolution of film!

  • Ray

    1. First I’m disappointed by the square box design, I was hoping for a camera that looks like a camera. I think your designers can do a better job than that.

    2. $400 for the camera Is just too much especially one that only has 8 GB of memory.

    It’s a no go for me.

    I still think the Light Field technology is solid so I’ll wait for the reviews to come out, maybe I’ll change my mind and buy it (hopefully the second or third generation Lytro Camera).

    • Mike

      There might be benefits to the square box design. Perhaps a matrix of cameras could be arranged in a 2×2 or 3×3 grid to produce higher resolution or wider 3D stereo bases for applications that require such things. Since this technology is all based on computational photography, I would think that many in between views could be calculated from such a matrix array. I don’t expect that the average consumer would use such an array of cameras but there probably are scientific and industrial applications. I think the key with the Lytro is not to compare it to traditional photography but to open one’s mind to the possibilities.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjmendes João Mendes

    Hi,

    What about night shots ? Aperture and shot speed ?

    Thank you!

  • stef

    I need some technical details before I buy:
    1) what is the maximum resolution of a 2D image that has been refocused?
    2) what is the size of the lens array which receives the lights (this is essential to understand the behavior of the camera in low light situations).
    3)what is the focal range of the zoom lens
    4) How is it powered? If there are batteries, can they be replaced. Are they proprietary?

    Currently my guesses
    1) an equivalent resolution of 1,5Mpixels (corresponds to HD ready as mentioned in the press release)
    2) a lens array corresponding to the size of 1/2.5″ sensor at most. That’s the only way to get a f/2 zoom lens with such reduced weigth.
    3) almost impossible to assess something like 3-24mm?
    4) no idea

    Thanks for your answers

    • http://www.roxyerickson.com roxy

      I look forward to reading a response to the technology questions above.

      I would like to add a one:
      If it’s possible to focus on any plane in the image, and to use current Lytro images to create 3-D images with future software why does it not seem possible to focus on multiple planes?
      Can one create images using the Lytro camera equivalent to a standard F/22 image? (Or F/8, or F/16….)

      Separately, I don’t feel that I have an understanding of the market of this camera. The design says it’s for casual photographers, the Mac-Only platform says it’s for professionals. The non-expandable memory situation says it’s for, well, I’m not sure who this would appeal to these days. Only being able to charge the battery in the camera says casual photographer who won’t use it often.
      It’s just that while the technology is really exciting, the design seems confused.
      My guess is that you’re following the IPhone/IPad marketing principle where you make the 1st model incredibly limited and frankly verging on behind-the-times but it has one spark of genius in it, so you get the tech-toy geeks and those with more money than sense to hop on board so they can be the “first” and have their ego stroked/new toy.
      Then later you’ll come out with the real thing, like the Lytro4, which will actually be a full-functioning piece of kit that isn’t just a gadget. Is that the marketing plan here? This is an honest question. I’m definitely excited to jump on the bandwagon but I’m trying to decide when.

      My guess is that once this is released, another company will take a look, maybe Sigma (they already have some of the tech ready to go, right?), and give you a run for your money. At that point it will get real for those of us who want to use this exciting technology but in a camera not a gadget and hopefully it won’t be a one-trick pony either.

      In addition, your legal rights on Lytro.com seem a bit less than ethical or at least, let’s say, not geared towards the professional. (See questions/quotes/answers/lack of answers further down).

      Once other brands are using this same technology there will hopefully be other on-line platforms which can be used to share these photos without assuming rights to the images.

      Replies greatly appreciated.

      • Matt

        I don’t understand why some are assuming the target market is “pros only” just because the initial software is coded for OSX. I think Lytro’s target market is people who are not opposed to spending a few hundred dollars on a promising new technology, which is a defining characteristic of most Apple fans. This camera reminds me very much of the iPod when it was first released ten years ago. It too was Mac-only and considered too expensive for what it did. Apple got enough early adopters to buy in and ended up doing pretty well with that. (BTW- I had an original iPod too!)

      • Lytro

        Roxy – Here’s a link to see the response to Robert’s post(s). You also ask about whether Lytro can use pictures you upload to Lytro.com for marketing or advertising without your permission. No, we can’t. You own the rights to your living pictures. Lytro will not use your pictures for marketing or advertising on any other Web sites or in any other media without your prior permission. If you choose “public” as the privacy option for your pictures, they will be publicly displayed on Lytro.com, and we may feature them in public areas on Lytro.com such as, for example, a “most popular” page. If you choose “unlisted,” only those people who have the link will be able to view them on Lytro.com. Hope this helps clarify things, but please read the full Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for complete details.

  • Sleekz

    Wow… I have positive feelings on this new Light Field Camera. generation. But, I will not jump into the Bandwagon until I
    learn more all the details. If LYTRO does everything right,
    Digital SLR Camera will become “In Dangered Specie”.

  • http://darinhagre.net Darin Hagre

    Very cool… can’t wait to get my hands on one of these babies and test it out!

  • Mr.Smith

    Is the pc software is going to be available before you release the camera. In my opinion it is dumb choice to make the software for mac because almost no one uses mac computers (I think the mac market share is about 2%) and in fact I think that NO ONE should make software for macs so no one will waste there money on a mac.

    • http://scw.us NetMage

      Actually it is way more than that (15% US).

      And Mac leads the way in innovative software, and APIs like OpenCL that I bet are pretty important for Lytro desktop software.

      • Mr.Smith

        all mac stuff is OVERPRICED why is there cheapest laptop $1000 dollars?

  • JerryG

    I just heard the interview with your CEO (?) on NPR. In answering a question, he said that the Lytro software could be used on an ordinary photograph, that is, make an ordinary photograph taken with another camera into a Lytro photo. I think there may have been some misunderstanding. Is this really possible?

    Amazing technology, BTW. I had no idea this was possible, and can’t wait to see what you can do with 3-D. Will the hologram become obsolete? Inquiring minds want to know!

    JG

  • http://www.dougbraddockphotography.net Doug Braddock

    This possibilities of using this camera to produce fine art photographs really intrigues me. If it were possible to acquire an image, adjust the focus and depth of field in the post-processing step using the supplied software, and then to output a .TIF file, it would be great. If it’s only possible to output a .JPG file, the camera’s usability for this purpose would be greatly diminished. I like the 1:1 aspect ratio and the overall form factor! I need to know more technical details about the included software and its capabilities before ordering a camera.

  • Hisanori

    When you will deploy Lytro camera to Japan ? I want to buy it.

  • Simon

    can someone from Lytro please answer some of the questions posed on this blog?

    there are plenty of questions about the technical side of things, the privacy of photos & when shipping abroad will begin

    • Lytro

      You can find more details about privacy options in our Knowledgebase. At this time, we don’t have a timeline for international shipping, which involves complying with lots of regulations…this is just the beginning.

  • http://www.jatdsphotography.com JAT

    Nice Idea, however to many question and very little information on Lytro’s website. I will have to wait for the product to actually be out to decide if I would purchase it.

  • Karsten

    The technology is quite awesome and amazing, but you have the worst possible marketing to promote it… if an average person visits your website, he or she’ll come to the impression that the major feature of the Lytro is to let him re-focus the picture after the shot.

    Which would not matter much, because most of the time, an autofocus gives pretty good results.

    You should point out the things the Lytro can do that a conventional camera cannot ever do, like: take images with *no defocus* at all. Sharpness all the way from very close to very far. And especially the possibility to take 3D images… I have to read the Blog to find out about that, most people won’t do that!

    Finally – drop the price by 100USD, and add removable flash storage…

    • Karen R Katanick

      As a photography teacher in a prep school, I want you to explain to me why I would want to have one of your cameras? It seems to me that it is gimmicky. The concept of refocussing an image after the print has been published, counteracts the artists intention. So why do I have to have one of these? I tried focussing on the background of several of your examples and I did not see any improvement, that suggests to me that the distance is limited? Can the camera do something more than offer an opportunity to adjust focal length. If not, I’m still a bit skeptical about why I need one?
      I’d be happy to try your product, if you like, to change my opinion but for now, I see very little benefit in it’s design.

      • Lytro

        The first Lytro light field camera is not right for everyone, but The Lytro Team is excited by and committed to exploring the full potential of light field technology. Refocus is just the beginning…immersive 3D, including parallax is next.

    • Gerd

      Wow what a great possibility 3D !!!
      Just put two (insides) together in one pice and you have THE PERFECT 3D CAMERA.

      Im buying a new 3D 55″ TV (for polarglasses) and of course I want to see all my new fotos in 3D on my new screen… and yes with you guys it will be possible!!! What a sensation!!!

      Greatest Job in Fotohistory since starting the Colour-Fotos

      Thank You allllll!
      Gerd

      • Mark

        You don’t need two cameras. All the angular information is captured corectly by the one – just need some processing to derive the offset image.

        • Lytro

          Thanks Mark – you are correct.

    • Lytro

      Karsten – Due to the instant shutter and ability to refocus, the first Lytro camera offers new creative potential and interactive sharing that was never before possible, but it does not deliver ALL the potential capabilities of light field technology. Our marketing materials represent the first Lytro camera’s current capabilities. We are excited that immersive 3D will become part of the camera’s features in 2012. More details in our Knowledgebase, including “Is the Lytro right for me?“

    • Charlie

      Totally agree. The big downfall for me is image ‘portability’. No PC software, no sale. And price is the second factor. Don’t see how Lytro expects early adopters to purchase without software! Lytro goes under for whatever reason and we have NOTHING! I already have a negative frame of mind because the price isn’t even close to that of point-n- shoot cameras as was said early on.

  • http://Nightshots João Mendes

    What about night shot ? shot with low light, how is it ?

    there are some samples ?

    Thank you!

  • Usama Mehmood

    Awesome, now just make a video light field sensor and move half the tv/movie people effort in post production! :D

  • PatrickR

    This is totally going to be a revolution! I was fascinated already by the research and I thought it would take years to commercialize. But here it is. Future now!

    So I totally want one but I live outside the states! Please let me know when available in the EU. If you know a shipping proxy I’ll totally use it. Or some of you folks reading this in the States can put em up on eBay and make a buck!

  • http://www.sikorskyi.ca Daniel Sikorskyi

    How do I post an avatar on my profile…?

    • Lytro

      Just need to go to http://en.gravatar.com/site/signup/ and use the same email address that’s associated with your account on the blog. It might take a bit of time for the connection to be made after you create your gravatar (perhaps 5 minutes.) Hope this helps.

  • http://ms1.gotdns.com jonny rocket

    price, price, price…

  • Chris

    this technology could be very good for confocal microscope

  • Steve

    Drop the price too $100 bucks and sell this thing in India. That is the only possible way it will succeed.

    • chip

      As a consumer 0.5mp camera, it is a classic case of answering a question nobody asked. This will fail. There maybe commercial or scientific applications, however.

  • Andy

    To make this a successful consumer product you should expand access to the pictures on the camera. You should create an iPhone and Android app to pull the pictures into a phone through Wifi or Bluetooth. Similarly a desktop app could pull the pics in through Wifi or Bluetooth. Editing and sharing pics on a smart phone means potential widespread use of Lytro pics and solves another issue of Lytro’s tiny screen size….The screen is reminiscent of the flip cameras that made video recording mainstream. The end of the flip came when essentially all smart phones were able to take VGA+ video and share the videos through a mobile data connection. If Lytro pics could be edited and shared via smart phone with options like share to facebook or exported with your chosen focus as JPG for e-mail etc. you have better odds of the technology entering mainstream consumer use than reliance on someone sitting down at a desktop.

    In conclusion:

    Build in bluetooth to the Lytro and introduce a mobile app so people have easy access to pics taken on your camera. This is a 1+2 knockout punch of infinite focus picture quality and widespread ease of access.

    • Peter Ludwig

      I absolutely second that there should be an iPhone app and similar.

      BTW: I cannot find any numbers for the shutter speed?

      I would like (actually need) the possibility for long time exposures for cave photography

  • EVONNE LEE

    When Will the Taiwan issue

  • http://keithbroadphotography.com keithinmelbourne

    Well, I am interested, but I noticed that the camera’s not shipping internationally. I’m not going to commit my card details until I know when it might eventually ship.

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  • wenxue

    let me cool you guys with some cold water. this camera can only give you tiny pictures, maybe VGA (640×480) resolution, although you have a series of tiny pictures with different focus. You cannot take video either, because for each video frame, the camera has to take full resolution at 20MP. It cannot sustain 720p or VGA at 30fps. The only use of it is to take some size fun pictures, no serious photo. The 11Mega rays are just market term, your 12mp point and shoot also takes 12Mega rays.

    • Fabian

      With that information, then it is even more important to note the price point which is unreasonable for a camera with this feature set.

    • Mark

      I was wondering about that myself after reading the PhD thesis on the technology from 2006, although they quoted 2.1 MP based upon the trade-offs they choice making their test camera. But that was 5 years ago; CCD sensors are much better now, and even if they made no other changes to the initial design, i.e. same microlenses, they could certainly do much better than your posted guess-timations. But I am not sure that the camera pixel resolution is simply the dimensions of the CCD divided by the number of lenses, or even the area of the CCD under any given microlens. That all seems to the light field capture component – not sure yet what they do with all of that after the fact.

      • Mark

        If you have multiple images of exactly the same thing, you get a much better signal to noise ratio after processing that information. I *think* that it is a power function of some sort. 4 pics could then give you an effective resolution twice as good as that provided by any single pic.

    • Lytro

      The Lytro is designed for online sharing and interaction, not for large format prints. The living pictures you see in the Lytro Picture Gallery are representative of the image quality you can expect (but dependent on the screen resolution of your viewing device.) Asking about the pixel resolution of a light field camera system is not really relevant because pixels are very well defined. A pixel is color value and luminosity, and a light field camera’s unit of capture is much more than that because each unit contains directional light ray data in addition to color and luminosity. Light field cameras capture megarays, not megapixels. The first Lytro captures 11 megarays. Our target resolution is HD at 1080p, but the full answer isn’t completely straightforward. 2D projections in light field are rooted in computational photography, and 2D resolution can vary based on all sorts of factors including focal depth (refocus).

      • http://www.vinberdon.com/ Vincent B. Donadio (@vinberdon)

        It is well understood that the images are meant to be shared online and not for large print, however, it is very easy to give an estimate of pixel resolution… No matter how the image is captured, you are still displaying that image on a device with a 2D screen, with pixels emitting light. If you are displaying an image captured by a Lytro light field camera on a 1600×1200 monitor, how much of the screen will it take up at its native resolution? I think that’s a pretty straight-forward question. You don’t have to dodge it by saying, “Asking about the pixel resolution of a light field camera system is not really relevant because pixels are very well defined. A pixel is color value and luminosity, and a light field camera’s unit of capture is much more than that because each unit contains directional light ray data in addition to color and luminosity. Light field cameras capture megarays, not megapixels.” So if it captures rays, not pixels, how many pixels are in a ray? Or how many rays in a pixel? I can convert pixels to DPI based on resolution and print out something to scale. You can likewise tell me what the resolution of the image would be on my monitor.

        • http://www.vinberdon.com/ Vincent B. Donadio (@vinberdon)

          Or better yet… even more straight-forward: You had said you can export images as JPEG after editing… what resolution would that JPEG be?

          • Rob

            I second this question. It really needs to be answered: upon export, what is the maximum resolution of a 2D image that has been refocused?

          • http://scw.us NetMage

            The knowledgebase says 1080×1080 or 1MP; his answer also said that.

        • Alex

          I can see both points. It is hard to translate exactly to pixels. With the refocusing considered, how does one equate strictly to pixels? There is so much more information than just a standard pixel contains. Do you add up all the possibilities of all the different focal points? Or just count the pixels in one exported jpeg image? Would either be an accurate representation of the whole?

          Disclaimer: I am not employed by Lytro… But I did order a Red one.

          • Charlie

            OK, how ’bout this: I have an OLD Epson camera that took really crappy pictures by today’s standards, BUT I put a near infra-red lense on it, and those images come out unbelievably good! Also, I plan to use the Lytro pretty much strictly for ‘baby shots’ of our first grandson. Wish I had the camera by January when he is due, but oh well. The main thing for me is a good images for ‘sharing the moment’ and catching those ‘quick as a wink’ moments that would otherwise be lost because of focusing time.

  • Patrick

    All the very best to LYTRO from Paris, France !

    Just about to offer a 4/3 panasonic to my stepfather for this 70th B’day, I think we’ll wait for LYTRO to be available here to replace his camera & get him something else this time :-)

    f:2 constant is great (I have an LX3 for the f:2 at 24mm), what are the other specs (size of the lens and mpix for instance)?

  • dianasquiver

    I was almost ready to commit to buying a new Mac just so I could get one of these beauties. But then I saw that the images would all be public, on Lytro.com.

    The kind of pictures I want to take with this device would be very, very NSFW. Posting them publicly is unthinkable.

    When I can control the photos myself to ensure privacy and discretion, I will get one. And perhaps a Mac to go with it. :-)

    • Mike

      I am with you about the privacy part. I think it will be better if Lytro instead offer an option so that “if you agree to share you photos u get $50 discount” or something like “you get $30 refund if you post more than 50 photos on our site”.

      I guess Lytro probably want some beta testers this way, but you guys need to know that, my pictures are not only just my own personal privacy, but also my friend’s and families, I personally do not have all permissions to post all of them on the internet.

    • Lytro

      If you choose to use Lytro.com to host your pictures, you can choose “unlisted” as an option so that only those with the link can view them. (Note, those people you share with, can share the link.) You do not have to upload your pictures to Lytro.com to view them. You can store, view, and interact with them directly on your own Mac computer. (Windows coming soon…) More details in our Knowledgebase http://support.lytro.com/entries/20558076-what-are-my-privacy-options-on-lytro-com

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  • John Blausey

    What about printing. Will you be able to chose the focus or depth of field you want and make a print of it? What size print will be possible?

    Thanks JB

    • Lytro

      The Lytro is built for online sharing and interaction with living pictures, not for large format prints. On those occasions when you want a snapshot to hang on your fridge or mail to grandma, you can save as a jpg and print.

      • Mark

        The point that you guys are TOTALLY missing is that most people at the instant are NOT interested in the LIVING image aspects of this technology since for the most part, no one intentionally takes pictures with an active foreground and background since before now . . . those pics were crap! The idea that I can now take a pic when all hell is going on all over, and in post production say, “This is the view that I wanted if only my damned camera didn’t take 3 seconds to focus and snap the pic.” This is potentially a large target audience here on the blog . . . and you guys/gals are basically just saying, “This isn’t what our product is for . . . go away.”

        Like Netflix, whose stock is now in the dumpster, i think that no matter WHAT the other technological spinoff are . . . your going to sell a heck of a lot more units if you let us use your toys the way WE want to use them.

        • Lytro

          Mark – We love that people share our passion for the potential of light field technology. Indeed, we are promoting instant shutter is a major benefit of the *first* Lytro, along with new creative opportunities. But, we’re also trying to be clear that the Lytro camera we have just introduced is designed for online sharing, not large format prints, and that this Lytro may not be right for everyone. This is just the beginning…

  • Jacky

    Can you post some motion/sport pictures in your galley? Not sure if this camera can take decent shot in sport game.

    • Lytro

      While light field technology, can solve for focus, it doesn’t solve for motion blur. There are some action shots in the gallery – volleyball and skateboarding.

      • JC

        Although there are some very interesting algorithmic approaches to estimating a blur kernel that you might be able to include in your software. For example see Adobe’s debluring demo a few days ago.
        Can you build perfectly focused images with this? I’m thinking an effect similar to “Speed Racer” where everything is in focus (infinite depth-of-field). The change of focus after-the-fact online is nice, but not as useful as during post-processing. What format are the images stored in? Any plans to make it standard?

  • Willa Slater

    I think this is a very exciting first rendition of a whole new technology. Square in format and populist is concept, like the old Polaroid. I’d snap one up in a second but I just bought a new iMac last week so I have to generate some cash first! I may need a 2nd job to pay for my technology habit!

  • David Catchpole

    It’s nice to receive the offer of an early chance to purchase the camera. I was disappointed to see no mention of software for Linux systems. This is a shame (for me at least) as I use nothing but. Are there developments to come?

  • Craig

    To be honest, I’m rather disappointed. I’m going to skip over the Mac-only software (because that’s going to be sorted out next year, apparently) and go straight to the hardware.

    I don’t care about resolution. Modern cameras are more than sufficient in that regard. I’m also very pleased (nday, surprised!) to see a constant f/2 aperture over the entire zoom range. Some details of where that zoom range starts would be very much appreciated, though. “8x” means nothing in itself.

    I’m not worried about the form factor of the camera. It’s different, but I think it’s a design that makes some sense, especially placing the shutter button on the centre of gravity (nice touch, that). It means you don’t have to muck about with folded optics or any of that gubbins.

    What bothers me most about the hardware is the builtin flash storage. That’s pretty unforgivable on a 21st-century camera. Basically, if I ever think I’m going to take more than 350 photos in one outing, I have to pay $100 for an extra 8GB of flash or presumably lug a laptop around with me. If I want to take more than 750, then the laptop’s the only option, short of buying a second camera.

    A swappable flash card would have been very welcome, regardless of format. If the various existing SD formats were rejected as being too slow, then there’s always CFast, which succeeds CompactFlash in the exact same way that SATA drives replaced IDE. For that matter, even the faster Compactflash cards would probably have done just fine.

    $100 for an extra 8GB of flash is steep by any standards. The only way that begins to make any sense is if the camera uses industrial SLC parts instead of consumer-grade MLC flash, but SLC flash on a camera seems like overkill as even the cheapest consumer-grade MLC parts are typically good for a couple of thousand writes per block. In a camera with a capacity of 350 shots, that probably translates to several hundred thousand photos in total before the flash physically wears out.

    I have similar comments on the fixed battery. All lithium ion batteries age, and do so badly. I’ve replaced the battery on every single camera I’ve ever owned, including my trusty DSLR. Not having a flash will help somewhat, as that’s a big current to ask from an old battery with an ever-increasing internal impedance. However, the battery will eventually age to the point of being worthless at some point.

    Don’t get me wrong…I’d love to see this succeed. However, the design decisions to use an internal battery and builtin storage puts me right off for now.

    • http://scw.us NetMage

      Memory: Remember 24 and 36 shot rolls? Only pros carried more than a few or used more than a few on vacation – this is like that. It also isn’t intended to replace every camera.

      Battery: Li-on has about 1000 recharges, battery life is estimated at 700 pictures so you will probably by a new one before 700,000 pictures.

  • James Harvey

    So, as photography has migrated from chemistry to digital processing, to date we have added the ability, via RAW processing & HDR, to achieve that which previously only the masters of chemical photography could manage in the luminance & chrominance dimensions. This technology gives us control over another dimension in the picture, namely the ability to post-process (when processing or viewing) to non-linear depths of field, which was never even available to even the best in the chemical era.
    The issue with this particular realization (product) is that those folks who can make the most of it want also to be able to work in those other dimensions also – this clearly shows from the comments left here. The value to the “point & shoot” market is unclear.
    I can only wish Lytro success with the product, but the various issues (particularly lack of detail on the ecosystem & no WIndows or (presumably) Mac tablet OS support (pad/pod/phone)) make it impossible for the MAJORITY of the potential market (including our 11 camera family) to adopt it right now. I hope the backers of Lytro take note & point the company in the best direction for itself.

  • http://exposedplanet.com Harry, ExposedPlanet

    I also got the pre-order email with a non-working link/code.
    Doesn’t matter much.
    - I have Mac & Windows. I edit all images on Win 64 as the machine is simply faster and better. Doesn’t matter which platform you prefer, no Windows version is simply ridiculous. No go there.
    - $100 extra for 8gb is theft and very typical, very Mac-centric as well. No go
    - Decide within a week, so I can get a camera in many months? No go
    - Only US Credit Cards? No go
    - My images will be hosted publicly online and can be embedded by anyone anywhere? Guess it is the Youtube business model, ads around my images etc. No go
    - Lytro can use my images to sell their products? Big No go.
    - Zero useful technical info? No go

    I think it will be a nice gadget. But I have seen zero nice images that made me think: wow, I need that. Added to all of the above: I will wait for the $20 knock-off next summer, thanks but no thanks.

    • http://www.sikorskyi.ca Daniel Sikorskyi

      Yes… You just about hit all the nails on the head… Public storage without the image creator having full copyright control… They gotta be kidding… No pro would even think of doing that…!!!

      No Go…!

      • Lytro

        Lytro.com is intended for personal use. The author of living pictures continues to own the copyright to the pictures even after posting them on Lytro.com. Our General Counsel provided a more extensive response to another similar comment.

  • Jim Bishop

    The gizmo looks like it is designed to permit upgrade of the sensor and software when they become available. Does anyone know if that is true?

  • Susan Banister

    I love this camera. It is fantastic. The potential images are exciting. I would like to see some more information about it too. Especially embedding photos in a website. Also would you be looking to bring it over to the UK?

  • http://www.leganza.it Andrea Leganza

    Nice idea, waiting to see on field tests!

    Adding a keychain ring to attach the camera to jeans or others pants
    will be a nice addition, or some kind of cap that allows to attach.

  • Willa Slater

    Maybe I’m not comprehending but the press release says the camera captures 11 million packages of colour, intensity and vector information. Wouldn’t that mean it has an 11 megapixel resolution?

    • F. W. Outten

      I have the same question. The article about this camera on Technology Review mentioned that Lytro would not mention a specific megapixel resolution limit for their camera.

      • http://ardufact.de Moritz

        If I got it right you have 11M Lenses each giving an Image of an Unknow pixel-resolution.
        To focus the image from each of the 11M pictures ONE Pixel will be taken which results in focused pictures of 11M Pixels.
        Keep in might that I might be wrong and if thats the case don’t hesitate to correct me!

        • http://scw.us NetMage

          Actually they have about 1MP lenses each with (guessing) 4×4 pixels.

          They state you can export 1080×1080 JPEG once focused.

          • http://ardufact.de Moritz

            Oh ok.
            But why do they say “11 megarays”?
            I thought each ray would be represented by one lens in the micro-lensarray.

  • Toby Couchman

    hmmm develop a viewer that integrates with eye-tracking hardware so that the image re-focusses on where the eyes are looking then it would be even more awesome. Maybe it’d fool your brain into thinking you were looking at a live image.

  • Back

    Someone know if it has auto-rotation? Or do you need to shoot always with the shutter button pointing up?

    • Steve

      If it’s square format, there wouldn’t be any point in rotating it?

    • Lytro

      You will be able to rotate if you want to change the orientation that you present your living pictures. So, yes, you can shoot with the shutter in any direction (up/down/sideways) then choose to orient your square format living picture in any direction (up/down/sideways)

  • Mike

    I have the same question as many people here already asked… about the resolution.

    The demo pictures in your picture gallery are around 540×540 pixel so it is close to 3 Megapixels, is my guess here close enough? Is the real product will be the same?

    I know it will be small so I am not going to compare this to the other camera in the market, but I still want to know how big the pictures will be in term of pixel?

    • Mike

      silly me, 540×540 is 0.2Megapixel, not 2M.

    • Lytro

      The Lytro is built for online sharing and interaction with pictures, not for large format printing. The living pictures you see in the Lytro Picture Gallery are representative of the image quality you can expect (but dependent on the screen resolution of your viewing device.) You are correct that asking about the pixel resolution of a light field camera system is not really relevant because pixels are very well defined. A pixel is color value and luminosity, and a light field camera’s unit of capture is much more than that because each unit contains directional light ray data in addition to color and luminosity. Light field cameras capture megarays, not megapixels. The first Lytro captures 11 megarays. Our target resolution is HD at 1080p, but the full answer isn’t completely straightforward. 2D projections in light field are rooted in computational photography, and 2D resolution can vary based on all sorts of factors including focal depth (refocus).

  • Tim

    Am I missing something? All this camera seems to do is allow you to change the depth of field after the photo is taken. A nice feature, but what else can it do?

    • http://ardufact.de Moritz

      nice??? its AWESOME!!!!

  • http://jmr.dk Jack

    1. Good thing I saw this blog. Otherwise I’d not have picked up on the Mac-only catch. In all the hype, I noticed NO Mac-only disclaimer. I’m sure it’s somewhere in the small print, but it’s still deceptive.
    2. I have to BUY something now for “early 2012″ delivery? Sounds like you’re making us finance your rollout. That’s kind of a hustle. Take my info, but DO NOT charge me until you ship.

    Sorry, Lytro, the integrity gap lost me.

    • http://jmr.dk Jack

      Looks like you don’t charge until it ships. You really should note this on the order page.

      • http://TOS Traj

        Read the terms. It’s clearly written in there.

    • Lytro

      Jack – We do include the Mac information in multiple places on the site…and then, just to make sure no one misses it, when they click “buy”, they are presented with an interstitial (pop-up) that clearly states a Mac running OS 10 or higher is required. And, we do not charge until we ship.

  • Mark

    You guys need to at least put up the PDF of the manual for one of these things. I’m still tempted to buy one of these, but you have absolutely no useful information available to make that possible. I admit that there is an apples and orange thing going on in terms of specs – but going to have to sit this one out until one of the tech places does an unbiased review of the camera and answers the dozens/hundreds of questions that everyone has already inquired about. I wanted one of these for under water photography – which is impossible when all your controls except 1 is via a touch screen.

    • anoop

      Ya, I was wondering that as well. I’m interested in under water and ski photographs and have no idea if this camera is water proof etc.

      Hoping someone from lytro does respond and put up some specs

      • http://www.wahometours.com Robert Barr

        it is not waterproof…

      • Edmond Chan

        I think Eric Cheng (Chief Photographer of Lytro) will have your answer shortly as he is a famous underwater photographer, founder of wetpixel.com

        • Mark

          Don’t get me wrong! Take one of these cameras, take a walk through any of the most scenic spots on the planet, take shots like mad, and then put them all into a (pardon the plug for someone else’s products) Microsoft Photosynth – and you basically are going to have the next best thing to actually being there. Virtual Tours of almost any place!

          But I’m still wanting to see how someone uses it on YouTube, because it still looks clunky as heck!

  • http://jerzzy.co.uk/ David Gardiner

    Love it, I take pictures for travel sites and I am doing a trip to India, London, Israel and Lithuania + over this winter.

    It could take over from HDR as a tool for creative landscape and travel photography. The ability to have a picture streamed where the viewer can re focus is very exciting.

    I want one, I live in the UK, I have sent an order to another Pro Photographer friend who lives in America he will post it to me as soon as he can get it.

    This camera could get a lot of use as part of my travel photography kit.

    Wish I had it this winter and they shipped to the UK, I think camera could re-invigorate my creative energies.

    I want to capture temples in India with this.

    Excited. :)

  • http://facebook.com/milyforever Pierre

    WHY U NO SHIP OUTSIDE NA ?????
    ARE U NUUUUTS !!!! I need this camera :)

  • JimmyT

    Seems like the underlying tone here is ” way cool technology, but can’t justify the spend based on the lack of options”. I’d have to agree. If it were just a Windows/Mac issue, I would almost consider buying a Mac to support my purchase of one of these cameras (we’re shopping for a new laptop, anyway), but there are other issues that make it just not feasible right now. I can figure out the tripod thing, and am not too concerned with interchangeable lenses and such, but image quality and not being able to download and store images locally are just too big of issues to be overlooked. I want to be able to have crisp, clean prints of certain images, and I definitely want to be able to access my images without needing to be connected to the internet. Given those and the Windows issue, I think I’ll have to wait for the next version. I do look forward to that next release, though, and to see what will be offered!

    • Steve H

      I agree and will wait for Windows support and Version 2.0 of the camera. Must have control of exposure values. Must be able to store and process images locally and must be able to convert a processed image to a printable format for local printing.
      Otherwise, you have a very nice, though pricey, point and shoot camera for snapshots.

      • Willa Slater

        In an interview you can see on dpreview.com the founder/inventor says he sees this as analogous to the introduction of the Polaroid. Polaroids didn’t replace 35mm or even 110 film cameras but they were very cool. This camera is very cool…perfect for snaps of kids, dogs and friends. At f2.0 throughout the 8x zoom range it is fast and very portable but I would use it along side my GF1 (mirror-less 4/3 camera) not to replace it.

        Plus the software expected next year will allow glass-less 3D viewing of pictures you take now. That is very cool too but not something you can print. For me this a new media/cloud based/internet technology… not a complete reinvention of photography.

        I want one but I’m not selling my semi-normal digital EVIL camera just yet!

    • http://www.brooklynballparks.com David Dyte

      Where do you get the idea about not being able to download and store images locally? “Includes a free desktop application for importing, processing and interacting with living pictures from the camera.”

  • spankymoonfest

    no windows support, are you nuts. You do realise that there are over 350million windows 7 users alone out there. where is the sd card slot, micro sd??

    • Willa Slater

      365 million people who should admit defeat and buy a Mac! LOL (Joking… please don’t kill me!)

      • http://ardufact.de Moritz

        +1 :)

      • Mr.Smith

        0 people should own macs

    • Mr.Smith

      I agree mac computers suck

  • Ben

    I just ordered mine!!! Let the evolution begin! Well, okay, sometime early next year…and then we change the world…

    Congrats to Ren and the Lytro Team for making this all happen!

  • Peter

    Like a number of other commenters, I think I’ll refrain from purchasing until I can figure out if I can get pictures developed from the living pictures, and how much it would be. Currently released information seems to indicate uploading to the Lytro.com’s living picture gallery is the ONLY option possible, which was definitely not expected.

  • Phil Dougherty

    It seems very intriguing, is it made in USA?

  • Rockingjoe

    Would this camera be able to capture motion and movement, like digital video camera or cctv. If not will you bringing those type of cameras as well into the market or the technology used within the lytro be adapted with into other cameras. Will there be software available to help improve resolution in other cameras or images taken.

  • Sergio Batista

    I was wondering how will it work for night photography? Will we be able to control shutter speed? Is it sensitive enough for such kind of photography?

  • Marc

    WOW.

    All, put things into perspective : what could you really do with a mac when it first came out ? Eventually great software came along, and we all saw the benefit.

    Some questions are to be answered for the version 1.0 of the camera, but it is clear to me that the technology is by far the greatest advance in imaging in a long time. They will tweak the details of course to make it mass market…but this is AWESOME ! 400$ only for Cutting edge technology ? How much did you pay for the first version of the ipod ? =)

    Go Lytro, you have a bright future !!!! Please post raw high-def living and 2d stills of pictures in the gallery, not just web shares !!

    M-A

  • Paul Weber

    Meh :-/
    I really think this is a major let-down….poor expectation management.
    In order to plunk down that kind of money I’d *pretend* to have a tripod socket, some kind of bluetooth or wifi connection to transfer the pics back to whatever piece of hardware I’m using and a removable memory.
    Form factor …. I do understand the necessity of an elongated body, for the purpose of effectively conveying the rays to whatever “light-field-pickup” is behind the technology. But my hands aren’t square and I would want to be able to firmly grasp the camera especially in low light situations.
    Sorry guys… the idea behind it is potentially interesting but it’s a No Go from me (and I’m glad I didn’t put any money on the table in advance…).
    Next time around, why don’t you crowd-fund through kickstarter? At least you’ll have the benefit of immediate feedback and the chance to abort the project if you fail to reach the threshold funding level…..
    Wishing you all the best,

    Paul Weber

  • Bill

    I have been reading about this product for a while and when I finally saw that pre-orders were being accepted I was ready. I’ll never give up my DSLR, but I like the new toys.

    Unfortunately my excitement and willingness to purchase were eliminated when I saw that it only supports mac. As a linux use of almost 15 years, this is simple not an option.

    I will be back when I can use it on my chosen OS.

    Thank, it is great technology, I just can’t bring myself to pay for software.

    • Arto Huotari

      Unfortunately same here. This would be an instant buy otherwise but there has to be an option to get images to the operating system of my choice which for me also is Linux.

  • Jaromir

    Fantastic staff! I am impresed with the new technology and I believe it would make a total difference in photography and I guess videos as well.
    Congratulations.
    If I only hadn’t already bought my new camera. Now I have to wait several years until I am able to afford it ;)
    Anyway, thanks for releasing the thechnology!
    Wish you success!

  • Mark Warren

    The photos are not very sharp or detailed are they? If the quality is so low, does it really justify the extra money compare to a very good compact camera?
    These are questions I’m asking myself. It looks great and really fun to use but for the same money I could buy an amazing compact and probably get at least 75% of the shots I take perfect, especially if I took a couple focussing in different areas. I could probably afford a larger capacity SD card to.
    I want a reason to buy the Lytro, I love the tech. I want higher image quality…

  • http://www.bycostello.com/Mordon_Park_House_Registry_Office.html bycostello

    I want one… any suppliers in the UK?

  • Altesco

    Wonderful ! You are amazing !

    No only did you make it real (I was afraid of vaporware), but you also made it truly innovative with a new form factor.

    Don’t listen to the old-school wanting a traditionnal camera. A rugged ultra-simple camera that just take good pictures is just perfect ! We want *living* pictures, not 30 minutes preparation unnatural professional pictures.

    Congratulations ! Why don’t you ship outside US ? Just use amazon services, it’s so easy !

  • Johan

    Hmm, trying to get the ‘real’ specifications of the new camera is quite complicated. Shutter speed(s), focal length range, theoretical resolution in megapixels, image size and battery capacity (in number of shots per charge) are mentioned nowhere. I wonder why?
    What I did find is, that the output is only in the interactive Lytro format, so no .jpg.
    Anyway, though I’m on the reservation list, living in Europe, using Windows and not being primarily interested in sharing my photos via email or the web, I’m not going to buy a ‘black-box’-camera just now, however exiting this new technology is.

    • Alex Bernstein

      I have all the same questions, plus:
      1) The “Lytro Light Field Engine” is version 1.0. I expect upgrades/bug fixes in the future — can I upgrade?

      I expect that the software will be able to save to common formats such as JPG etc. The USB cable is mentioned, so I expect you can transfer images to computer.

  • http://www.macouno.com Dolf Veenvliet

    So eh… in some way this type of picture has a quite detailed “depth map” in it… Which means… it could be a much better 3D capture device than for instance a microsoft kinect…

    Oh and personally… I’d love to see some images that are in focus all over.. Why not let us manipulate the “falloff curve” of the Depth of Field? Would that work?

    As an artist I can see heaps of potential for this devide… I’d love to get my hands on one.

  • Simon

    Hi
    can you please tell me why my account has been suspended?

    All I posted on your website was that I was disappointed, after having received your email to buy a camera, that you didn’t ship to the UK

  • Tom

    I have a question: is it possible to copy the files via (micro)USB to a Windows-PC and edit in the browser or smartphone (Does the computer find the Lytro as an external storage)? Or do you need a Mac to access the storage of the Lytro?

    “View and interact with living pictures on the Lytro camera as well as any internet-connected computer, smartphone or tablet supported.”

    Thanks!

  • Pow Hoong Yap

    Hi, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the launch and I live in far-flung Malaysia. Is there any other way (reseller) I can order from?

  • Aldred Gomes

    A very good work indeed. I am fascinated by the possibilities of playing with images using your camera. It is moderately priced too. I am from India. I love images but dont have the resources to buy a camera. Loved your innovation. thanks

  • Brad

    Is there a way to mount it to a tripod? One of the previous blog posts shows a photographer with a “secret prototype” posing with tripod equipment but it doesn’t look like this thing has a threaded hole for seating it.

  • http://blogg.hogbergphotography.com Danonino

    Hi, interesting concept. But I have a few questions that I cant find any answers for on the site or on the net:

    1. Why did you choose a squar sensor/image format? Im just interested because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE SQUARE FORMAT!
    2. How big is the sensor in cm?
    3. How many steps of dynamic range can I get from a file in PP? (My Nikon D5000 has about 12 steps)

    Thankyou

  • Brad

    I’m also still not convinced by the online demonstration photos that clearly only have 2 or 3 focal planes when there are other subjects at other focal ranges that can’t be brought into focus. That is very suspect.

  • Brad

    Kind of ridiculous that you would even send out first to buy invites to people living outside in the USA.

    That being said I’m too annoyed about all the other things that have already been said to consider buying one of these now until all these questions have been answered. Hopefully they’ll be answered before the purchase cutoff just in case the answers are what people are wanting to hear (somehow I doubt that will be the case, but one can dream). The amount of crucial information missing here is very strange indeed.

  • http://www.7mai.fr Nocolkte

    I am disappointed, I expected an accessory for SLR, not a new camera … And no software for windows from the start, too bad … Do you think on an accessory for SLR or this is only a new equipement to buy?

    • Brad

      How could it possibly be an accessory for SLR? The way it captures light and processes data is completely different. I was hoping for more of a SLR or 4 3rds type experience, but it was always made clear that this would be a complete camera system.

  • http://takeoutphoto.blogspot.com Marc

    How about a Tardis edition since they look like phone booths already?

    • Willa Slater

      LOL

  • Pingback: To buy or not to buy a Lytro | Lisa Brewster

  • Fabian

    Lytro, what have you done?

    I was so excited about the prospect of no focusing during shooting, and the tech is so interesting.. but this thing is a rip off..

    For pete’s sake,

    Some screaming problems are:

    no removable battery
    no extra lenses
    no expandable storage
    even the rapid charger costs extra

    Also, who is the moron which designed this? There is a reason why professional cameras are shaped a certain way, because we have something called hands and opposable thumbs. The designer of this is a complete idiot and should be fired immediately.

    Lastly the price, WTH? For that many greenbacks, it should not look like a little toy; which this does. I can get 16GB high speed SD card for 20 bucks.

    I was so excited about the tech. This is what happens when a tech company with no design chops makes a product for real people.

    Lytro should concentrate on the tech ands license this stuff to the companies who know how to design the hardware.

    ugggg…
    F.

    • Pip

      I must concur with almost everything that has been stated in Fabian’s post.

      The pre-launch excitement and buzz has been let down by the production of crude looking ‘box brownie’.

      Come on Lytro, you can do better than this.

      I was initially disappointed to learn that shipments outside of the US were not going to happen immediately, however upon reflection maybe that’s a good thing, as I would not spend hundreds of dollars on rectangular tube, whatever the colour.

      Back to the drawing board Lytro, should not be too difficult, to squeeze the design into a standard 35mm SLR shape me thinks?

      Given most amateur photographers spend oodles of cash on there hobby, price sensitivity should not be an issue. However aesthetics of the design is key.

      Good Luck and keep us informed when mark II available.

      • Dave K

        Keep in mind that this is not a professional tool (yet). The need to encode 3 dimensions worth of information on a 2d imaging chip means that your 2d cuts of the data will be very low resolution by today’s standards. I think they’ll be nice for web pages but don’t expect to make crisp prints. I think the idea is brilliant and will have legs as imager technolgy continues to improve, but I see this product as a tech demonstrator – the pro level equipment will take a while.

    • Altesco

      Hey ! “no removable battery, no extra lenses, no expandable storage…”

      => just like an iPhone, nobody complains and iPhones are selling like hotcakes.

      I think you are, like many, overlooking details that are not that important compared to usability, speed and overall user experience.

      Learn from Steve Jobs. Lytro team has the spirit ! Just sell outside US please !!!

      • meagree

        Totally agree – it’s a new iPhone, just in the market of cameras. Nice product, cool! Lets change the market, ya!!

    • tester22

      Thank you – saved me posting.

      No, I’ll still rant…
      LYTRO!!!! FIGURE OUT YOUR DESIGN AND MAKE A “REAL” CAMERA. Even a point and shoot camera would have been better. Stick this tech in a real shooter PLEASE!

    • Willa Slater

      I disagree about the shape… today’s DSLRs are shaped this way because 35mm cameras were shaped that way and that’s to accommodate the mirror box an a roll of film that moved behind the shutter and came in a convenient canister. Before that each photo was exposed on a plate or film cartridge and cameras were rectangular with a lens sticking out of the side of the rectangle instead of the end, like the Lytro.

      With today’s small DSLRs, m4/3 cameras and point and shoots there’s often little or no room for both of our hands anyway.

      I notice no complaints about the iPhone’s rectangular shape yet lots of people use it’s excellent little camera (excellent given that the lens is the size of a pen tip).

      There’s no reason to stick with the old ways but I’ll bet there will be a handle system, with tripod receiver, out on ebay before you know it, for those that want to hold it in a more traditional 20th century way.

  • Malene

    I’m disappoined with the roll out…no windows? I’m not shelling out $500 bucks to be weekend photographer!! I’m especially turned off by being given 1 week to decide…I will wait until you work out the kinks…

  • http://www.wahometours.com Robert Barr

    I was reading over the Legal and when it came to user created content they said this:

    We do not claim ownership of your living pictures; they are yours. To enable us to operate Lytro.com and provide its services and functionality, with respect to content that you submit to Lytro.com you grant us a non-exclusive, fully-paid, royalty-free, worldwide, sublicensable and transferable license to:

    Copy, store, display, and distribute such content;

    Modify and create derivative works of such content by using our light field picture player or another player approved by us. We may allow our users and visitors to create other modifications or derivative works and print your content for their personal use;

    Transmit copies of such content to, and embed such content on, other websites;

    Display the Lytro trademark with such content; and

    Display and feature in public areas of Lytro.com, at our discretion, certain of your public living pictures selected by us.

    From what I gather this means if I don’t upload the images to your Lytro site I keep the copyright. Anything I upload to the lytro site though you get a non-exclusive, fully-paid, royalty-free, worldwide, sublicensable and transferable license.

    I upload the images to your server you can sell them for a profit or put your copyright on them with out giving me a penny.

    Well considering how you have to upload to Lytro.com in order to share them I don’t know how I feel about this. Basically you force me to upload to your site to share them them & then since I uploaded them to your site you can do what you want with them…

    I ordered one of these cameras but I may cancel my order because this kind of seems wrong.

    Can someone tell me if I am understanding that right?

    • http://www.sikorskyi.ca Daniel Sikorskyi

      I am looking forward to having your questions answered… I believe that the original shooter holds copyright till they give or sell it to someone else… Very important issues you have focused on…

      • Mariana Antcheva, General Counsel, Lytro

        Mr. Barr,

        Thank you for your attention to our Terms of Use.

        The author of living pictures continues to own the copyright to the pictures even after posting them on Lytro.com. The licenses that we obtain are intended to allow us to deliver you the functionality of our website with respect to your pictures, and the license language of our Terms of Use is so qualified (“To enable us to operate Lytro.com and deliver its services and functionality…”). Also, the license does not include Lytro’s right to sell your pictures. In these aspects, our Terms of Use are similar to the terms of many other photo sharing websites.

        Kindly note that the license is non-exclusive and you are free to grant similar (or different) licenses to others. Also, Lytro will not be displaying its copyright on your pictures. What Lytro does is display a small logo in the lower right hand corner to signify that this is a living picture taken with the Lytro camera. You can observe this in the picture gallery currently on our website.

        Importantly, Lytro.com is intended for personal use. If picture authors would like to utilize Lytro.com for commercial purposes, they need to contact us separately.

        Best regards,
        Mariana Antcheva
        General Counsel
        Lytro, Inc.

        • http://www.wahometours.com Robert Barr

          Do you allow people to upload and host the files on their own site using your engine. I would prefer to host everything myself.

          Flash files don’t have to be uploaded to adobe’s site.. Why do your images have to be uploaded to your service if want to share them.

          Do you plan on releasing the light field engine so it can be used on individual websites.

          I plan on using mine for professional/comerical uses. Why do I have to contact you for commercial approval?

          Another reason I want to be on my own hosting site is because I don’t want to be clumped together with all the other users like you are in flickr.

          What in involved in allowing for commercial use?

          See this is the issue I wanted to avoid. You are controlling where the images that can be shared and uploaded by forcing users to upload to your service.

          If it is similar to other photo sharing sites that is a bit scary. Places like Flicker over step their right in my opinion and can profit from your work with out giving you a dime.

          You are not directly selling my work but you are going to use it in order to help run lytro.com that being said you are basically making money off my work. If you display it to get poeple to give any sort of donation or money to you then my work made you money.

          I really want to be able to use this camera but the legal speak is turning me off significantly.

          • http://www.wahometours.com Robert Barr

            wish I could edit what I wrote. I meant to add a few things but I hit submit.

            Mostly thanks for responding to my question Mariana. I really do appreciate it.

            I don’t mean to sound angry I am mostly just concerned.

            I am a real estate photographer and I planned on including a few of these lfp shots with my house tours.

            If everything is clumped together like Flickr then I will have a heck of a time organizing it.

            I was hoping to be able to keep the organizational end something I controlled on my website.

            The only way I can see being able to do that with your current system is to set everything private. Create a web page and link the images.

            I would much prefer to keep the lfp and everything in the proper folders on my site. Then just use the rendering engine to render like you do on lytro with your engine… or like you would with a flash file.

            I have been following the development of the Plenoptic camera since I saw Ren Ng give a talk about it at the UW when he was still a grad-student or recent grad (I cant remember which) of Stanford. I was BFA in Photography major at the time. It really blew me away. I have been following his progress ever since.

            I really look forward to getting my hands on one of these and pushing the idea of what a creative light field picture can be. Especially in my Real Estate Work.

            One question I can’t seem to find an answer too is can make everything in focus? Either in the lytro player or as outputted still jpeg file.

          • Lytro

            Lots of questions…here’s an attempt at addressing them.

            You describe that you want to use living pictures you’ll take with your Lytro for your business. For now, the Lytro camera and Lytro.com website are designed for personal use, and our Terms of Use reflect that. You own your pictures, and while we don’t claim ownership of your pictures, the current Terms of Use are not designed to meet the needs of professional photographers or business owners who want to sell living pictures taken with the Lytro or to promote their business or products. There are opportunities for exceptions. We also welcome your suggestions and help in guiding our decisions around commercial use of living pictures. If you would like to help, or want to pursue an exception, contact legal@lytro.com. For consideration, include details about how you would like to use your living pictures and describe any conflicts with our current Terms of Use.

            You also ask about using living pictures on your website without uploading them to Lytro.com. For now, you have to host living pictures on Lytro.com to be able to share them. As described in our Privacy Policy, you’re given the option to upload them to Lytro.com as “unlisted” so that only people with the link can view them, or “public,” which makes them visible to everyone on Lytro.com (and shareable by all Lytro.com visitors). Every time you upload new living pictures to Lytro.com, you can choose your preferred privacy setting. Then, no matter which privacy option you select, you can easily share them with friends and family on Twitter, in an email or embed them on your Facebook page, website or blog. If they click the link you shared on Twitter or in an email, they will see the picture on Lytro.com. If they click the “enlarge” button on your embedded living picture, they also will see the picture on Lytro.com. You can try out the sharing experience with existing living pictures from our Picture Gallery or watch this video that walks you through the sharing experience.

            There even more answers, updated daily, posted to our Support site, including answers about everything in focus, jpeg files, and “Is the Lytro right for me?” Hope this helps.

        • http://www.roxyerickson.com roxy

          Hi Mariana,
          Thank you for responding to Robert’s well thought out questions. I would like to add a couple more.
          Am I right in reading that Lytro cannot sell a photographer’s images but that Lytro can use them for whatever purposes Lytro would like? Lytro can use them for marketing, advertising or the like without paying for the right to do so. Is that correct?

          In addition a professional photographer using your camera for commercial means will have to get Lytro’s permission to use your website to show clients their photos or sell images using your site. Is that correct?
          And is Lytro.com the only way to share images remotely?
          I am excited by Lytro’s technology, but with Facebook and Flickr putting things into their T’s & C’s which overstep commonly acceptable ethical boundaries as to photographic ownership, you can surely understand why photographer’s are getting their backs up with your privacy policy. These websites seem to forget that professional photographers are trying to embrace their technology and use it while still making a living in photography! It seems that Lytro may have forgotten that as well.

    • Brad

      Likewise interested to know about this because a far as I understand things, the copyright on creative works lies with the creator.

  • http://www.brooklynballparks.com David Dyte

    An awful lot of negative comments here, but I’m guessing many more actual orders. I’m excited, and also realizing that whatever the software’s limitations might end up being, if any, there will be a truckload of third party solutions available within minutes of these things hitting the street. Tilt shift, stereoscope, crazy macro… here I come!

  • Eric

    So, I’m afraid this project is doomed. First, you introduce a fixed storage, non ergonomic rectangular mess and call it a camera.
    Then, you only offer the application to use the camera to the very people who will be least excited by the camera. Mac folks are snobs when it comes to design, otherwise they wouldn’t pay the mac premium. And I can tell you that the Lytro as seen in my “special link” is not going to float their boat. Then, the lack of details makes the prices seem kind of high to me. I mean, it *could* be worth the price, depending on how well it works and how it functions. But I won’t be paying $399 for a fixed storage mini-brick that only works with the Mac.

    Fire your marketing people.

    • http://andreasaronsson.com Andreas Aronsson

      Oh, I’m sure the Mac crowd will love this camera, it’s essentially a slightly thicker iPod Nano ;)

    • Arch Stanton

      Please don’t speak for Mac folks if you’re not one, and especially if you’re going to call them all snobs. The Lytro is exciting and a worthwhile effort. I agree it has its drawbacks, but I would never express them as rudely as you did. Try communicating your concerns without the attitude. Or in other words, fire your own marketing people.

  • Stacy J

    I agree with every other person here on the problems with the description. Did you think you could hype us up all this time and then do a “special release” and think we wouldn’t notice that you give very bare and generic information about the specs? I was so excited about this camera, but there is NO way I am paying $400-500 for a camera that I don’t know enough about. Not to mention you just say “early 2012″ for a Windows application. Really? I’m supposed to buy it and set it on the shelf until you release it? No external storage? No telling whether I can use MY photos to print or edit on my own? No way, I will wait until the idiots that bought these come out with real feedback, and Lytro decides to be more forthcoming with their information.

    • Larry Choi

      I’m in HK and I really want to buy one for my own birthday.
      Unluckily it’s today. LOL

      Wish it’ll be in Asia market ASAP!
      I can’t wait to give it a try!

  • Alex

    What I have seen here is amazing. Will my credit card be charged now, or when the camera finally ships?

    • Charlie

      They state it will not be charged until near shipping. Actually, it is illegal (in US anyway) to charge a credit card without shipping within a month.

  • W W

    I was trying to buy one, only be disappointed by the fact that they only ship to US. ( I am in Asia )
    While I have both Mac and Windows, I think Windows support is a MUST.

  • Irl

    So … surely you realize that this focal plane plus microlens concept is a true 3D display, if you replace the FPA by a properly pixelated (lotsa pixels!) display. When will your first “holographic” TV be offered?

  • http://I'veOrderedonFaith Wanda Medcalf Holmes

    As an endorsement of you bolding going where no one has gone before, I’ve ordered my Lytro. I’m hoping that 1) I can use your software to control depth of field as well as focus, 2) that I can export to a jpeg or tiff and use my focused final shot(s) as any other photo(s) might be used, and 3) that as innovation continues my 1.0 camera will be able to take advantage of new features through software upgrades. Please don’t disappoint – I am a serious shooter and I want to fall in love.

  • http://www.blipfolio.com/nir Nir Levy

    I am a nightlife photographer with Atlanta’s largest nightlife company and I would love to experiment with the gear. Anyway I can rent the camera for 2 days and receive it in time to capture Atlanta’s largest halloween party? See my portfolio.

  • Dave Youngberg

    I, too, have many questions – most which were stated previously. Proprietary devices/software turn me off; if I can’t use off-the-shelf batteries for the camera, removable storage, and my software to edit- why would I buy something so restrictive?

    I print and sell my work at a minimum of 16×24.. not giving info on file format, etc., bothers me- I refuse to buy a pig in a poke.

  • skyrunr

    NO SALE! DITTO! VERY DISAPPOINTED!
    With all of the hype and excitement you created over a new technology you should have done BETTER. Your camera simply isn’t THAT much better than a good point and shoot to compete side by side. You are actually INSULTING your potential customers by saying it is “just for snapshots and web viewing.”

    With all of the diligent research you had done our EXPECTATIONS were raised very high. All of us want the same thing. A SIMPLE camera you can pickup and shoot with no worries and the BASIC functionality (printing) we have with our current point and shoots.

    TIP: Successful Microsoft marketing strategy 101; give a product away, get some real user feedback, improve it just enough to be tolerable, and then charge an arm and a leg for it.

    I sure hope your software has a feature to focus the entire image though batch processing. I don’t see anyone wanting to go through 350 photos and test 1-50 focus points on each every week.

    Beside that, I’ll probably be able buy a used 16GB model in two years for $50. :)

    • skyrunr

      PS I just read the terms of sale. http://www.lytro.com/legal/terms-of-sale Sorry, this has to be one of the sketchiest product releases I’ve ever seen. There is no way to know what you are actually buying. So far it looks SO proprietary that it will essentially be useless to me. Typical Apple/Adobe/iTunes approach to everything; and people eat it up.

  • Chad

    I second (or third) all the comments regarding no Windows support and the lack of meaningful specs as being a deal breaker. I would be very interested if those issues were addressed.

  • michelle

    Thank you.

    I am in no way unhappy with being one of the first to buy a Lytro camera. The price is a third of what I was expecting! Mac OS suprised me but we’re a intersystem household, so no hardship there. Can’t wait to surprise the whole family. We’ve been buzzing about Lytro all year and, now, I get to surprise them!

    Can’t wait to see what we each do with the little beauty.

    Thanks. You made my day.

  • don

    Would like one but have trouble with some of the requirements.
    Can emulate apple if I had to but not happy with cloud storage/processing, also not ecstatic but understand non overseas release as I registered my interest. Really interested in being able to flatten all the picture into focus and printing or jpeg… but having to go to website to look and share my pics not so much.
    Does the battery life match the size of the memory on the larger version… fell into that little trap with digital camcorder and they had separate batteries to change over…
    Watching with interest, with any luck you will have all that sorted by the time it is released out to the rest of the world.

  • Frank

    I got the blue one ordered! Mac great, windows in 2012…Just in time for the camera to arrive..

  • http://www.parkerparker.net Parker

    Nice design. Interesting concept for a consumer camera. Many of my questions have already been mentioned in previous posts. One thought does occur to me, however. With pictures stored in a proprietary format, how will a photography register images for copyright? Will they be able to be transferred to a third-party via currently acceptable media?
    This product seems destined for consumer use. While the light field science is intriguing, the prototype camera is way dumbed down. Sure, I understand the lack of aperture control, the single shutter speed, or lack thereof, the simple UI. But is being able the change focus on the fly really that compelling that I would spend $399-499 for the device? I’m not seeing beautiful bokeh, I’m not seeing any real use for the camera other than an interesting gimmick.
    I expected more, even from a beta product. Having the advance purchase link expire after a week with so little real information seems the wrong tactic for such a promising concept.
    Think I’ll pass.

  • CBY

    Hi.
    It seems like we are facing ups and downs. No need for me to repeat all that’s already been said. I saw it coming when we got the last round of questions: the camera is for consumers, creative artists but NOT FOR prosumers or professionals.

    I’m still interested to play with it and experiment. I believe the incredible potential (future?) for the prosumer/professional is a few years ahead of us.

    Unfortunately, most of us on this blog (and it show with the questions) are technically inclined hence the high demand on specs. Most people carrying a camera on vacation will not set the shot, print in high quality, know Photoshop, etc. That’s why we all feel lukewarm, I guess.

    In summary, more info is quite necessary when spending 500$ on anything… I’m still debating.

    My 2 cents.

  • L

    Price point too high, and as others have said no windows support. Do something innovative like NO MEMORY, just wifi/bluetooth to my phone – I always have it with me. This would cut mfg costs and make it more affordable. I also think you have a big hill to climb educating the consumer that the differentiator is enough to make us all buy it. I can get a Nikon Coolpix for 18mp for $129. Why spend 2+ times for this? So you have two issues 1) Education 2) Brand awareness – without an innovative marketing strategy and implementation you’re sunk. You’ll over spend and die. IMHO. Sorry!

  • MikeHNL

    Glad to see your product rollout. However, where are the grown-up specs? Like, what does 8X optical mean, if you don’t know the starting point? What is the minimum focusing distance? What’s with the inability to offload pics via a flashcard, so that you can keep on shooting after filling up the internal drive? I don’t usually lug a laptop around when shooting pics. How long does it take to download a filled internal Lytro HD to a computer? What’s the drain of that on the battery?

    And, seriously, folks, if you didn’t plan to support those of us using Windows-based products at rollout, you should have noted that long ago and saved us the trouble of keeping up with your news. I’m surprised you weren’t able to sell Lytro to Apple. At least they would have been able to get the communications right for such a breakthrough product.

  • Alex B

    Thanks for offering me a place in line to buy one of these cameras, but I’m no longer interested. Why? Two simple reasons:

    First, there is still no useful information about the camera’s resolution (saying it’s “11 megarays” is meaningless since you don’t explain how a megaray translates into pixels on the screen). Yes, I know it’s not possible to directly compare the resolution of the Lytro with a comparable camera, blah, blah, but the reality is that Lytro pictures DO have some number of pixels horizontally and vertically when being viewed on a computer, and the fact that you won’t divulge that simple piece of information makes me feel like I’m being treated like a moron or a sucker.

    Second, you won’t have Windows support when the product is launched. I’m not going to buy a Mac just to use a new camera, and I’m not going to buy a camera based on promised support coming later.

    (It also doesn’t help that the internal memory is apparently not removable or upgradeable – same for the battery).

    P.S. The camera design looks really cool and the price seems right for something new and cutting edge. But until the above issues are fixed I can’t consider buying one of these.

  • http://spiderjoe.com Joe Lapp

    I’d like to order one, but I do macrophotography of spiders, often small ones. How close can I get to the subject? What’s the smallest real-world area that a full photo can represent? Thanks!

    • http://n/a joe

      I second that question… I’ll buy iff it can do macro. Would be great for science-y things, esp w/ kids.

      Please give us some indication of macro capabilities.

  • Andrew

    Was going to preorder one but no Windows client? Will have to wait…

  • R. G.

    I wanted to buy one so bad, I have been waiting to give you my money, but…..

    1. No windows Client, only a Mac client !!! You realize more people have Windows than Mac right? I’m noting going to buy on some where working on it promise.

    2. As others have asked the picture appears to be have a squared dimension instead of a rectangle, what resolution are the pictures in?

    3. What tools are there for converting to JPEG and printing out pictures? When an image is converted to JPEG what is the resolution and DPI.

    4. Is the Lytro Light Field Engine 1.0. upgradable through firm ware or other updates? Or do you need to buy a new camera to get the latest engine?

    5. Are you at all planning to allow others to make applications that can interact with you .lfp file type? It would be nice if eventually browsers could natively support .lfp files, without the need of flash, or JavaScript.

    6. Are there any samples in low light? sporting ? I would like to take pictures at my son’s games.

    7. Again currently no Windows App?

    8.

    • Ian A

      Fully agree with these comments, plus having the roll-out only in the US has immediately pissed me off (I’m in Australia).

      Can we be honest here? The product is not ready for launch, is it?

  • http://www.darinfong.com Darin

    No removable storage? It figures you want to be like Apple and try to milk your customers for $100 for an extra 8GB of flash memory. Do you know how cheap 8GB of flash memory costs? What if we run out of storage “in the field”? I guess we should buy two of them just in case one fills up.

    The ONLY reason I can imagine you would not put a memory card slot in it is to price gouge people and try to make more money. Why not have removable storage and charge an extra $100 to include a 16gb card instead of an 8GB card? See, doesn’t that sound ridiculous?

    • Calvin

      Removable storage would have been nice for another reason as well: I would have bought the 16GB version if it were not *bright red*. Instead, I’m going to get an 8GB model, just because that’s the only way to get a neutral color.

  • Gigi

    The press release answers some of the questions. For example, this is what you can do with the images: will be able to upload the pictures to their servers and share them on the web, via smartphone, via any mobile device and via an email–no printing mentioned so that is not something you can do. I want to know about shutter speed–it appears there is only one shutter speed since the press release states there is one shutter button which takes the image instantly when you press it–so I guess no timed exposures, or slow shutter speeds for motion blur, etc. Wonder what the shutter speed is–the pix on the site of the water fountain –the ss wasn’t enough to really freeze the motion of the water. Ditto DOF–no aperture so no control of that either. Interesting camera concept–I was looking forward to getting one–but this camera, as far as I can tell, takes snapshots, and I am a photographer, not what I shoot.

    • Gigi

      I meant to write: No control of the aperture–not that there was no aperture, sorry!

  • Willi Kampmann

    I just set up a package forwarder (cost me 10 bucks) specifically so I could order the camera from outside the US. Just to find out that you are blocking foreign credit cards. This is such a lame move.

  • Tracy Peterson

    Anyone know if you will be able to make a Z-Depth version of the image in order to use as a depth map in, say, AE or Maya?

    • Greg

      I too would be interested in the 3d capturing and importing to Maya or Blender, etc..

      Also its a good thing I own a few Macs, although I think launching without windows will hurt ya.

  • Willie

    I think the price is fair, but too many questions about too many topics. I’m afraid I’m gonna have to see one first. Looking forward to launch. Would be nice to have better early adopter pricing, or a loan program with a mandatory purchase if the user excess the loan period.

  • http://www.worhabit.com/ Jonathan Lambert

    I am feeling like everyone else here: there’s just not enough information released on how things actually work. Does the camera have a tripod mount? Is there any information on the software? I don’t do any serious posting to facebook for my photography, though I occasionally share photos there, so is there some idea of being able to export photos? How does the software work?

    You guys need a freekin’ FAQ like yesterday. :)

    Excited to see a response from you guys. The product looks compelling – tell us more about it!

  • http://karthikkumar.org Karthik Viswanathan

    Hi,

    I am excited to see the photos, especially the field of view. What I was wondering was, are there any pictures where you focus on every object? Basically a collage of the field of view objects focussed on their respective points in 3D – the sharpest possible overall scene…. I wonder if there are demos of this kind of stuff. Crazy, I know – but may be worth it for certain kinds of photos.

  • James

    1) Is my card charged upon order, or shipment?

    2) Looks like it produces a square image, so by HD, do you mean the images are 720 x 720 px, or 1080 x 1080 px? The one displayed on the site looks like 380 x 380 px. Please translate.

    3) ISO?

    • meagree

      You are comparing soya to meat in terms of soya.
      Or a car with a carriage in terms of carriage.

      Don’t you have eyes – it’s square, it has depth and free focus, ISO is not relevant for it (as it caches all possible light) and it is as it is.

      I like it, you don’t or doubt. But I have read the paper describing principles of light field – you don’t. Read it.

      • Lytro

        :)

  • http://johnhmoore.com John H. Moore

    The lack of real information comes across as playing a very silly and unnecessary game. Bad PR choice.

  • http://www.joby.com Emily

    AWESOME! I’ve been following you guys for months and am so stoked you’re live! I love the design and cannot wait to try one out for myself! Keep up the good work!

  • Vincent

    Any documentation on the feature set of the hosting site? The hardware, while cool, is just a small part of the solution to the problem of delivering light field photography to connected users. Images as a web service is not an entirely novel concept, but a special (if not proprietary) file type will mean that the Lytro hosting site and its feature set will be all users have. So, what tools does one get and what does the hosting site look like?

    • Ralph

      I was wondering the same exact thing.

  • Benji

    So many unanswered questions. I really want to buy one, but I just can’t commit until I have a few questions answered:
    1. Will the Windows software be available when the cameras ship? If not, is there a way for me (without a Mac) to at least share the photos even if I can’t edit them?
    2. What kind of editing options are there? Can I set the depth of field? All I’ve seen from the living photos is setting the focal plane.
    3. Can I export the pictures to formats that are usable in more traditional photo editors (jpg, psd)?
    4. What is the 2-d resolution of the output of the photos? 11 megarays is nice, but how does that translate to pixels?
    5. Zooming in, I notice artifacts around objects that are clearly a result of processing the plenoptic data. Is this something that can be fixed in a future upgrade, or is that type of artifacting just going to be a part of infinite focus life?
    6. Since you’re capturing the entire light field, it’s reasonable to assume that you can slice the photo up into separate focal planes, even allowing for flawless extraction of objects in the foreground from objects in the background. Are you going to have options to export layers for editing? This would be extremely useful and my most likely usage scenario (well, next to focus obviously).
    7. f2 is pretty fast, but I’ve got cameras with f1.4 lenses and still have difficulty at dark concerts. Will the Lytro handle these situations better? Can we have a real world comparison of a mid-level camera (point and shoot is fine) with f2 glass?
    8. What are the ISO ranges and how does noise effect the processing of the light field? Since you have overlapping data, can you use it to boost the s/n ratio?

    …the list goes on, but these are the bulk of my primary concerns.

    • Dave Olson

      You hit all of the high points. I was going to ask many of the same questions and you got here first. What is really important to me is image resolution (the release says HD quality, is that 2 MP equivalent?) and I really want to know about if I can refocus these thing and then store them as a 2-D image. How will these images work for further editing in PhotoShop?

      It sounds like my images will be stored on their server if I want to refocus them. Not sure that excites me. I’m holding back until answers emerge.

      • http://betsyandmarco.com marco martinez

        Good set of questions, thanks! Also, I read a couple of interviews more carefully and it seems that the actual web display will be free only to the first few camera customers; that means to me that if you don’t buy now, there will be a monthly charge to use the necessary lytro service to view your photos? Strange choice…

    • http://hans.gerwitz.com/ Hans

      I, too, am hungry for technical details. But I don’t care about resolution or software features, it’s the data format I’m interested in.

      Will I be able to parse this data and query a “pixel” (cartesian point of x,y) and determine the “depth” (a value for z)? This is just a rephrasing of Benji’s question #6.

      The potential for this data is vast, if it’s more “raw” than a series of stacked images with different focal points.

      • http://www.brooklynballparks.com David Dyte

        If you read the thesis, it’s clear this is very much not a set of stacked images. See the 3D stereo images that were posted, for instance, using the same data. No way you could do that with a set of flat images.

        • Benji

          Ideally, you’d be able to set distance ranges to break the field up into slices that could then be exported as layers to be edited in photoshop (or as tansparent .png flies to be layered in whatever you like). In this way, you’d end up with a set of stacked images, though I can definitely see an argument for people wanting it to be exportable to something more like a point cloud to a 3d program (max, maya, blender). That would have some really good uses.

          One thing I’d like to see is a combination of Lytro and Photosynth to generate fully formed and highly accurate 3d models from a few quick photos.

  • http://www.trollop.com trollop

    I too am concerned about the output. I want this specifically for making film positives in order to make photogravure plates. However it’s unclear if I can do anything except a screen capture to get the image. I’ll buy one if I can make a decent film positive….

  • http://www.dmcdental.com Bill Hockett

    Have you considered an intra-oral version of your camera for dentistry? One or two shots could be “re-focused” on particular problem areas or tracking dental changes over time.

  • http://none Sashi

    Its a great Camera !! No doubt about it !! But, like everyone else I am concerned about the file format. Can I export the pictures to JPG or other format after I am done processing them. Also, if I want to post those pictures on a website, What options do I have other than hosting on Lytro servers.

    If I buy it today will you charge my credit card immediately or only a day or two before the product actually gets shipped. Also, what is your return policy? Thanks !

  • cautiously eager

    They can’t post PIXEL resolution b/c that’s not how this camera works. The “Megaray” resolution is probably the sensor resolution, but obviously the output to a jpg will be much less after processing.

    I’m excited to see where this goes. Will probably have to wait for the next generation, though. Is a little rich for my starving student blood.

    Oh and I’m SURE you will be able to process the light field images into a standard photo, but it doubtless requires the proprietary software. :/

  • Shawn

    Awesome! I was pleasantly surprised by the affordable pricing on this very unique technology. I’m looking forward to a Spring present. :) I would also like to congratulate you on releasing the software in the proper order; Mac first, followed by Windows. This is the logical order of things. :) Keep up the great innovation!

    • Mr.Smith

      It should be windows then linux and NO mac

    • wk-cof

      Yeah, very logical. Take care of 10% of users first and then worry about the rest. Way to go!

  • http://www.wix.com/mostka/my-view Swarf

    I think teh pricing for something so new is wrong. You could have made a very cheap one so people tested the technology. Then these people would help you get fans. So. Maybe a 4 XXwhatever at $200, can attract thousands, while a $400 xxxwhatever is going to attract few buyers on this economy. It seems to be something to be tested to decide whether we want this technology forever . Maybe a touch screen way of focusing for TVs or tablets would be a great application. I suppose it can be done right now if the photos are seeing in an iPad? Ihope it does.
    Anyway, seems to one way of starting a revolution in photography when I thought nothing new could be seen aside from more megapixels and more megapixels.

  • BoneDaddy

    Ah, you almost had me. I was on the Order page when I saw the software was Mac only. Release the Windows 7 version and let’s talk again.

  • http://catherineomega.com Catherine Winters

    Neat. What can you tell us about the design? Was an external industrial design firm contracted? (I ask because I’m reminded of fuseproject’s work for Jawbone.)

  • Colin

    I’m really concerned about the file handling portion of this device. There’s no removable storage option, and worse the ToS seems to indicate that the files will be stored and held solely on Lytro’s servers (“internet access required”), with limitations on what you can do with the output. I would venture to guess that the file format exchanged is proprietary and not able to be developed on by the open-source community, which is where a lot of innovation could step in and extend the utility of this camera. I’m comfortable with the JPEG, and even with Nikon’s proprietary NEFs, but I’m withholding my purchase until there’s some clarification about exactly how much access I can have to MY pictures.

  • http://www.Leephotodesign.com Lee Hickman

    what size prints can I expect to get

  • http://awarewriter.wordpress.com John McDevitt

    Count me out — I run Linux Mint on my computer. No software, no camera.

    • Dave Olson

      John,

      You should get a Mac and have a real computer, not something built for Windoze (even if you run Linux).

      • Mr.Smith

        A mac is not a real computer

    • http://sebastianoliva.com Sebastian Oliva

      I agree, all of my computers use GNU/Linux, so buying one of this, and without even a promise to build the software or releasing the specs of the format makes a complete no go for me :(

      P.S.
      Ignore the troll, he does not know what he’s talking about…

      • http://lavid.me Dave Lichterman

        +1 for Linux as a platform.
        +1 for needing all the other concerns posted here addressed.

  • http://betsyandmarco.com marco martinez

    I agree with Paul C, it looks promising but I want to know what I can do with the pictures after I take it other than putting it in a software for “living” processing… what happens next? putting on a web site is nice, but how do I get a print? what’s the largest print possible if at all? and of course, what would be the dpi output… Thanks!

    • http://betsyandmarco.com marco martinez

      Oh yes, looking at the 750/16GB comes out to about 21MB per picture.

      By comparison, my 40D 12MP camera gives me about 10MB per picture in RAW mode… I wonder how the limitless focusing adds to any regular size picture? 21MB seems large, but not really…

      My numbers are all approximate (didn’t calculate on a binary level, but decimal using 1GB=1000MB), anyone there that can make more accurate calculations?

  • http://www.simplerna.com dbw

    The photos look great. A few questions –

    How do you embed these photos on a webpage?

    To show a photo with a pre-set focus, can you set the focus by distance rather than having to click on the photo?

  • BobGeorge

    There absolutely *needs* to be some kind of clarification on sensor resolution.

  • T

    Another reason to use HTML5 is obviously device compatibility, iPhones/iPads etc.

  • T

    Camera looks neat, well done. Not sure how steady it will be to hold like that though. Any chance of living pictures in HTML5 rather than Flash? I have Flashblock installed, and I would guess that most of your market do too!

  • Prabhat Gupta

    Just ordered one.

    Q: Can I get a *2D* picture with everything in focus?

  • Dave Kliman

    Well, I just bought one… I’m really looking forward to seeing it!

    but More importantly, I’m looking forward to it being a regular feature on iPhones, along with a nice crisp lightfield display to change the way we look at things as well.

  • http://ardufact.de Moritz

    WOW! It looks absolutely awesome! When will it be available in Germany? March 2012 would be great (because then I could have it as a birthday present).

  • Hey Buster

    Revolutions never go backwards!

    • Steve

      Where is the +1 button! Lol, I too don’t see any reason to buy this thing. This product must be just like the movie “the Producers.” Im pretty sure they bet on it to flop because that is the only way they will profit.

  • http://www.stephanlowy.com Stephan

    Just ordered mine today. Red! Can’t wait.

  • Aaron ORtiz

    Please post the pixel resolution…the silence about it is louder than free disclosure would have made it. Trying to keep the resolution a secret could sink the project!

  • Paul Carpenter

    Looks quite amazing, love the design! I do, however, not see any mention of an important bit of info. Let’s say I take a pic. I use the software to adjust/focus. Now I want to print that picture, on paper. What can I output (jpeg, tif, png?) and what pixel resolution do I get? You just say “HD” which can mean many things. If I take pics and can’t print a decent 5×7 the utility of Lytro drops a lot for me…

    • http://betsyandmarco.com marco martinez

      I agree with Paul C, it looks promising but I want to know what I can do with the pictures after I take it other than putting it in a software for “living” processing… what happens next? putting on a web site is nice, but how do I get a print? what’s the largest print possible if at all? and of course, what would be the dpi output… Thanks!

    • Jake Jones

      I agree with a lot of the other commenters. I’m curious as to what the software will be like. Will I import my photos into Lytro’s client, then export once I focus just so, in order to further edit in, say Aperture or Lightroom?

    • Susan

      I totally agree. The camera is very interesting and reasonable priced, but I won’t buy one until I know more about the resolution, software and output.

      • http://www.ritchiephotos.com Ritchie

        throw my name into the hat for those wanting answers on this. I love the look of it and can see the artistic merits. I always want a capability to get a decent print though, not huge no, but decent enough and detailed enough to hang on a wall. If that’s not possible I won’t be getting one.

        • Lytro

          The Lytro is designed for online sharing and interaction with living pictures. It is not designed to produce large format prints. More details in our Knowledgebase, including “Is the Lytro right for me?“

  • Adam

    Really incredible stuff! I would love to order one, though I’m in Canada. I have a US shipping address but am unable to order because my credit card billing address is in Canada. Any chance that you guys can fix up the order process to allow for Canadian billing? Is there a way to contact you and process manually? Thanks!