RICOH THETA

I have been using the Theta app with the Theta V camera since 2018. I noticed that images and videos dated 2019 or earlier are no longer searchable on the current Theta app from my 2020 iPhone or 2018 iPad. When I instead try to search for these photos in the iPhone Ricoh Theta album, I get the “Failed to obtain spherical image” message. (However these same 2019 and earlier images are viewable on the Theta+ app.) Another note: videos that are viewable on the Theta app via the Ricoh Theta album search are a one shot event. I cannot search for more than one album video using the Theta app, because pressing the required “Cancel” button kicks me out of the viewing Album video process altogether. (Ricoh Theta album images do not have this “no searching” problem, however)

Excellent app software again in this 2.15.0 version (a month old as of this review). I’ve been using Thetas professionally for 5 years now, and the Z1 is Ricoh’s best yet for photos. Operates flawlessly on multiple iPads and iPhones at least that long. Apple’s latest iOS 14 has a new option that will prevent a WiFi connection to the Z1, without an error message to explain the repeated fails. So, you must manually Allow (slide switch to become green) in the Settings/Privacy/Local Network screen. For any other app you probably would never want it to see what else you’re connected to. But with Theta, won’t connect without it.

Another Update: The app was fixed after a short period, maybe a week. It appears to work well now. I expect better photos with the HDR mode now. The ones I was getting were good and usable. I’m impressed with the short time it took to fix the app. Update: Support has identified the problem and passed it to their developers. They were helpful in telling me how to use the camera manually with a timer. But I cannot adjust their exposure or bracket so the less than capable camera produces grainy photos with windows blown out. Not at all good enough for my Real Estate business. Very frustrating. (Original review): App doesn’t work on latest IPhone update. Telephone support said they have never heard of this issue but there are a lot of people here and elsewhere with the same issue. Tried deleting and reinstalling, shutdown and restart, and a reset of the iPhone 11 Pro Max to factory specs. Black screen with Theta logo only. Extremely frustrating with clients waiting and my reputation at stake.