Panoramic imaging arrangement

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates apparatus 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, for capturing a panoramic scene. The apparatus 10 includes a vertically extending support structure 12, and a panoramic imaging arrangement 14 which is secured to an upper end 16 of the support structure 12.

The support structure 12 may be any device having an upper end 16 which is high enough for purposes of providing a viewpoint of a panoramic scene. The support structure 12 is typically part of a housing for the panoramic imaging arrangement 14 and may, for example, include a vertically extending post, a tripod stand, or part of building structure.

The panoramic imaging arrangement 14 includes a first, upper lens block 18, a second, lower lens block 20, and apparatus 22, positioned below the second lens block 20, for manipulating light so as to correct certain aberrations of the light and to focus the light (hereinafter generally referred to as the "light manipulation apparatus 2