Apparently, Ricoh Theta X (reviewed here) has many hidden tricks, and the latest one, called “Retrospective Video” lets you travel back in time as it were. Here’s how to use it and some ways to use this capability.
The problem
Have you ever tried to shoot a video but found that you pressed the shutter too late? Let’s say you were whale watching or watching for your baby’s first steps, or your wife is pregnant and you’re waiting to see the baby move. These are unpredictable events and by the time they happen, it’s too late to press the shutter. It is possible to start recording and simply wait. The problem is that this will drain your battery and eat up your camera’s storage. And oftentimes you’ll end up with many videos that are completely useless.
The solution
One solution is to start the recording before the shutter is pressed. This is possible by using a buffer of a few seconds. When you press the shutter, the video starts from the beginning of the buffer rather than from the point you pressed the shutter. This kind of feature has been available in some cameras and has had various names. I had a Casio camera that called it “Past Video” mode. GoPro calls hit “Hindsight.” Apparently, Theta X this feature as well and they call it “Retrospective Video.” Credit goes to my friend Yuqing Guo for discovering this feature.
How to use Theta X Retrospective Video
With the Theta X in video mode, you hold down the shutter button. While it is held down, it will say “standby.” You then hold it down until the right moment, and when you release the shutter, the video will start 2 seconds before the moment you released the shutter.
Here’s Yuqing’s tutorial.
I wish I didn’t have to hold down the shutter but it’s a cool feature nonetheless. Other hidden features of the Theta X include an 8K mode, which Ricoh is deciding whether to unlock. It makes me wonder whether the Theta X has other hidden capabilities that they haven’t told us about yet? (cough Raw cough….)
Mic why do you call it a hidden feature, when everyone who can read the manual or visit the homepage of Theta X can find it???? 😁
I have already known it and I don’t have a Theta X (way too expensive here in Europe until now).
Hi Karsten. Hidden doesn’t mean it cannot be found. If it’s buried in fine print in the manual but they don’t mention it, then most people won’t know about it. Trust me, I’ve written thousands of articles and I know people don’t read most of it. 🙁
🤞 Raw 🤞
🤞 Raw 🤞
🤞 Raw 🤞
🤞 Raw 🤞
If Ricoh doesn’t add Raw to Theta X, they need to worry about Trisio adding it first.
Where is the review of the Theta X vs. Insta360 etc. photo quality.
Hi John. My review was here: https://360rumors.com/best-360-camera-2022/
Best regards,
Mic