Apply: Street View camera loan program

[Corrie]

Laura Weyl climbs Keep Ridge in Maine, USA

Updated: 15 December 2020

This program is inactive and we do not accept new applications for camera loans.

Interested in 360 cameras? Wondering what all the fuss is about? Next-generation 360 cameras can create (and update) Street View in a snap, offering an easy way to contribute 360 imagery to Google Maps. Interested in testing a 360 camera and discovering how you can create your own Street View 360 images? Read on!

At the Street View Summit in May, we announced an expansion of the Street View camera loan program to include 360 cameras. We debuted this program in the Netherlands and now have cameras available to loan in Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Apply to borrow a Street View camera, and tell us a bit about any projects you have in mind. When applying, please be sure to select the option to tell us that you participate in the Local Guides program and we will fast-track your application. We are not able to fill all requests, but if you are selected, you will be able to retain the camera for 45 days, with the possibility of an extension.

Stay tuned - we are working hard to expand eligibility to additional countries in the future.

Thanks for your continued contributions to Google Maps and your passion for 360 imagery!

KC Green bikes the Gas Line Rd in California, USA

[U-royFelixA]

Nice one @Corrie

[Rupert-]

Hi @Corrie please see my feedback here. Which I believe is a result of an LG in my area having been given a -Theta- (edit) Gear 360, on loan. There are some incredible issues in regard to the quaility of pics they are adding to maps and being approved. Not sure if the issue is the instructions and guidance provided with the loan camera is inadequate, or that they have simply chosen not to use any guidance and have just gone on walks in the area with auto-upload on, and no checks for quality once uploaded. 30-50% of images I have checked have serious quality issues. Examples are horizons at almost 90 degrees from horizontal, selfies with the camera, location of images being miles away from the actual location, and generally very poor submission, and it doesn't appear there has been any attempt to conntect the photos into a navigable tour. I sure hope others involved in this loan program take better care to check quality of pics before uploading. Is there any checking of the quality of image they are submitting, or any additional support offered to those on the loan program? Otherwise the results of people taking these out in the rain, and filling maps with substandard images may well have an adverse affect on the street view program. 

[PeterGO]

HI @CorrieD.

It wasn't a Theta but I am the guilty party.

I am aware of the shortcomings of the images and by a process of iteration I am improving them.

It is my intention of writing a review later with hints for other people on how to reduce the pitch, yaw and roll problem, how to improve connections.

However, I do not agree the location is incorrect. Nor do I agree that the images were generally a very poor submission. Perhaps I misremembered the name but I seem to recall the complainant having some images for the same locations. *If* so I apologise for distracting from his efforts.

[Rupert-]

Hi @PeterGO thanks for jumping in and holding your hand up. Apologies if my criticism has been overly harsh, I have however not linked directly to your images, or named you as such in any of my complaints about the quality. My main concern was not entirely about you 'treading on my toes', but about the overall quailty of images being approved, and that this may be a common issue with many who participate in the loan program. I'm assuming you got the camera via the loan program, but do correct me if my assumption is incorrect. But, I do hope you can understand that photos that were auto-captured while you'd taken the helmet off and were therefore the main focus of the shot, and those where the horizon is on an incredible tilt are far below an acceptable quaility. As for location, perhaps this image will illustrate what drew my attention to your submissions. As you can see, it is in the middle of Christchurch road in Boscombe, when it is actually from the Visitor centre at Hengistbury Head, 4 miles away!  

[PeterGO]

@Rupert- wrote:

###

As for location, perhaps this image will illustrate what drew my attention to your submissions. As you can see, it is in the middle of Christchurch road in Boscombe, when it is actually from the Visitor centre at Hengistbury Head, 4 miles away

###

I love the irony. You yourself have put a July 2016 Photo Sphere on Street View labeled Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre which isn't the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, which is a different GPS location. 

I have little doubt that if I had spent more time I would have found more similar errors.

At least I scored 1 out of 2 - correct label, wrong GPS coordinates. In future I will pay more post-uploading attention when I upload images which have been taken indoors - it is more likely the GPS coordinates could be bad.

[Rupert-]

@PeterGO Perhaps I should have made more efforts to contact you privately in regard to this, though I was unaware of how I could do so, rather than beginning a (auto-censored word) for tat critique of each others submissions in public. However, I should stress that at no point did I share publicly any details that could easily have identified yourself.

The one of mine you highlight, I believe, is close to the visitor centre, and perhaps closer than the marker for the nature reserve it is on, not 4 miles away. Also, as the visitor centre is for the entire nature reserve, I don't believe it to be too erroneous to have linked it to the visitor centre, and the actual GPS location of the image I believe is accurate.

It may actually be of benefit to you in future to review your images before uploading, that way you can perhaps avoid submitting the selfies and the duplicates, as well as checking the accuracy of the photo's GPS location. Maybe also considering the horizon tilt, and whether it being within the boundaries of acceptable. If you try rotating, or use VR to explore such tilted images, you may realise why it is important for the horizon to be reasonably level, and make additional efforts to keep it level in future 360's.If you would perhaps wish to discuss this privately, please feel free to contact me. I can assure you that my bark is far worse than my bite and you may actually consider a meet-up and chat over coffee sometime. 

[TomiFinland]

I'm lucky to say that i've been accepted street view camera loan program. Now I just wait to camera kit arrives straight to my home..

[Dumbwitness]

Woop woop had my loan extended for another 45 days. Happiest local guide / trusted photographer on the planet!

[Siavash_T]

after i understand loan program does not support in iran,i go buy samsung galaxy tab a (2016) for take 360 photo

i install street view program on this device and run it correctly but when i want take 360 photo,app say: this device does not support 360 photos!!!!!!!!!!!

i hate you google

i pay 450$

when street view app install on device and work correctly why say that message?

why?

[MartinV]

Hi @Corrie, is there any way how can I review status of my application? I have applied some weeks ago and I haven't received any answer at all... 

[TomiFinland]

Hi @MartinV When I did application, it takes 2 months that they contacted me. Now my camera kit is coming to my home next Tuesday.

[MartinV]

Thanks @TomiFinland, i have still hope than, that they will reach me soon.

[EjazShah]

Hi @Corrie, is there any plan to include UAE in the list? 

[salv]

Hi Corrie

Can you please let me knoe once it is available in Australia?

I know we are way too far awat from everything, but it is soooo interesting for everybody else to be able to have a peek to our continent...

Many thanks and cheers

Sal

[iDepp]

@Corrie hello,

i want to know about stree view camera loan programme is not startrd in india.

so any chances when it startrd?

[Irontech2020]

I got my approval email today! Im so excited to get the camera in and be able to use it!

[PeterGO]

Congratulations @Irontech2020.

Based on my own experience with a loan camera and looking at the experiences of others posted on this forum...

... no big bang, do not leap straight into your project, start with something small, upload a single image and see what happens (the Street View app highlights needed contributions that can be handled by a single image).

If you are going to use a photo editor do just one image and see if it is still recognised as a photosphere after you upload it - some editors strip out the information that identify an image as a photosphere - if you still want to use an editor that strips out the information there are ways of reinserting it, if you need help doing so let me know.

I found it easier to understand how to use the Street View Connections editor after doing a test run along a straight line  path/trail that was clearly visible on a Google Satellite Map in a location which had high accuracy GPS reception.

[Dumbwitness]

@PeterO @Irontech2020 - Great Advice there Peter - 

• For me, I do the edits in Photoshop and "save as" jpeg preserves the exif data needed. Plenty of tutorials and guides can be found on the Theta forums for editing the nadir of images, worth doing!
• I tend to not shoot using the StreetView app, but use the Theta app and then import to SV after editing.
• As Peter said, small tour of spheres first, don't go crazy, the connection editor will cause you a lot of stress with a large number of images until you're familiar.
• two fisheye lenses will ensure that even if there is only one raindrop in the whole sky, it will hit one of them! Pray for nice weather!
• the "selfie" stick that comes with the kit is threaded both ends, fix the camera on one end and it will then mount on the tripod too, giving you a great height vantage point for 360s *this was in the instructions, but who reads instructions?
• Have fun! Take 150 approved pics and you MAY be offered a loan extension!

[Irontech2020]

@PeterGO @Dumbwitness Thank yall so much for the advice. Im hoping to get alot of the insides of the iconic resturaunts in the area and some of the campus where the google car couldnt get to in Tuscaloosa, AL USA. its going to be exciting to say the least I cant wait. Also im going to try to go with google street view to start with and see how well it functions then if I dont like it ill try some other options yall recomended. Thank yall so much can way to see how these turn out. I will upload some as soon as i get the camera.

[RichardTrus]

@Corrie Great Idea!

Will there be any of these camera's at the StreetView Summit?

Google Street View Summit 2017 - Richard Trus

Richard Trus

Moderator

Google Local Guides Toronto

Google Trusted Photographer

[OghaleO]

Good day, i am Oghale, a google local guide level 3, what does it take to qualify to loan a street view 360 camera, I downloaded the street view app, and in the process of using it, it displayed that my device is not supported, how can I loan a street view 360 camera?

[BabuH]

Dear Oghale, 

          To get a 360 camera on loan basis, first you need to check whether your country is qualified for the same as this was done on an experimental basis for very few countries dear Friend.

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@OghaleO wrote:

Good day, i am Oghale, a google local guide level 3, what does it take to qualify to loan a street view 360 camera, I downloaded the street view app, and in the process of using it, it displayed that my device is not supported, how can I loan a street view 360 camera?

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[JeslynL]

Hi @OghaleO, can you share what device you are using and if it is running on latest OS? I'd recommend updating your device's OS, then try opening the Street View app again. 

Regarding the camera loaning, check out this post to find out if cameras are available for loan in your country, as @BabuH has noted. Be sure to also check for eligibility before applying to borrow a Street View camera.

[Irontech2020]

So I got my camera in about a week ago and I am absolutly loving it. I've become verified (thank god) and im loving the conversations the camera brings when I go to these locations. I put a link in (I think its the right link) to show yall some of my photos. Let me know if yall have any tips and or tricks yall recomend. Im using a Gear 360 https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103797971824607145827/photos/@33.1858749,-87.5028793,13.23z/data...

[HareshkumarD]

Hi,

Please include India in country list as India having amazing people and places. 

India is growing very fast. Entire world is curious to know more and more about India, Its Places, People and culture. 

360 Camera's data is more useful for entire world to explore India online. 

Please do needful and made available for us in India. 

[BishowvijayaP]

I use to see this post frequently. I have ignored it many times as our country is not included in it. The other thing is loan. I don't know how to pay a loan? How much to pay? I had browsed upto the application page also but never found answer. If the application is accepted then what should one do after 45 days if there is no extension for retaining? Is anyone there to direct me to the solution? I expect few words from @Corrie or @JeslynL .

[JeslynL]

Hi @BishowvijayaP, the camera loan program doesn't involve any costs. Google will pay for all shipping costs between you and Google if you comply with Google’s instructions.

Prior to the end of a loan period, Google may contact you about extending your loan. To determine whether to extend your loan, Google may require you to provide additional information, including a description of:

• Your use of the Street View app during the loan period, including number of photographs taken and published
• Your reasons for requesting additional use of the Camera.

More information can be found here.

[BishowvijayaP]

Thank you so much @JeslynL for your help. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi corrie,

Thanks for your information.

We are  look forward to include India for Street view camera loan programe.

[ordoinc]

Does anyone have any recommendations as to how to fix images taken using a Gear 360 that have a tilted horizon?  I have a number of pictures that I captured while using the camera on a helmet mount that are not even close to straight.

[PeterGO]

@ordoinc even though you are not stiching trying using a stiching program - If you have got Windows Desktop Hugin is free, you do have to be careful after adjusting roll, pitch and yaw you have the correct export settings for resolution, aspect ratio etc.

http://hugin.sourceforge.net/download/

If you want to keep the exercise within Android have a look at THETA Converter from the Google Play store - even though it is called [Ricoh] THETA Converter I have succesfully used it on [Samsung] Gear 360 images.

[Anonymous]

Hoping to receive good notices soon. I´d like to contribute by adding the main street of Ronda, which is not mapped yet, as are many other places of historical, artistic, scenic, etc.

That´s the reason I´ve requested google camera loan service 😉

https://plus.google.com/communities/101809183418846544060?sqinv=MGgzd2RVWW5ia1gtMVNBVHVFNUVRc2RwVTE5...

[RUNTIM]

@CorrieD  , I've now applied twice now for a high-resolution google streetview backpack loaner to photograph Colonial Williamsburg, VA where I live. 

Can someone help me with this?

[JeslynL]

Hello @RUNTIM! Corrie is no longer with the team so she may not be as active here. I'm tagging @Yohanad, who may be able share more. 🙂

[Yohanad]

Hello, @RUNTIM!

Colonial Williamsburg is beautiful indeed  🙂 However, due to the amount of applications, the Street View loan team can't respond to each candidate and it takes time to get in touch with the ones that were approved.

Thanks,

Yohana

[EjazShah]

Hi @Yohanad, is this offer available for Local Guides from United Arab Emirates? 

[WetCoastCanuck]

@EjazShah the program eligibility is here https://www.google.com/streetview/camera-loans/

[Anonymous]

I'm still waiting an answer if I've been selected fin Camera Loan Service.

I´d like to contribute by adding the main street of Ronda, which is not mapped yet, as are many other places of historical, artistic, scenic, etc.

That´s the reason I´ve requested google camera loan service 😉

[EjazShah]

Thank you @WetCoastCanuck, for the link 😊

[Surjeet]

Is the Google Camera Loan currently available in India?

[JeslynL]

Hi @Surjeet, the Street View camera loan program is available in Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. More information can be found in this article.

[mhjn]

In instructions as such not mentioned that it can't be provided in India.

So yes to your query bro @Surjeet

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@Surjeet wrote:

Is the Google Camera Loan currently available in India?

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[Taterftl]

Got my loaner Ricoh yesterday! After a successful mission around the house -- I may have had a lapse in judgement picking assignment number two. Lol.

Do not under any circumstances try to shoot a 12 aisle Grocery store as your 2nd mission.

I have been lining up images of a supermarket for hours! Why didnt I just go to the coffee shop arounfd the corner like it suggested? 🙂 Three shots and done! 

Very excited to have the loaner and looking forward to opening up some of the local hidden gems for other folks.

Thanks for the Camera!

[AdvertisingCymru]

Really great program! I was accepted for the loan last week and just received a fed ex email to say the package will be with me tomorrow!! I will keep you all updated and let you know the contents of what I received! Thank you Google

[APDAPD]

Como fazer para ter o empréstimo da câmera?

[iamnemynigam]

I cant find Any list Where This Loan Programm Is currently Being runs

my question is about is this program is running in India or not 

I m level 6 in local guides and I have many places to upload in 360 view

[JeslynL]

@APDAPD — As noted in the post, if the program is available in your country, you can apply for the Street View camera loan via this link.

@iamnemynigam — The list of countries can be found in the original post. For your convenience, I will share them here: Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The program is currently not available in India but we are working to expand eligibility to additional countries in the future.

[AinurZ]

Is there any chance for me, a local guide from Kazakhstan, to participate in this program? I will be attending Local Guide Summit this year

[JeslynL]

@AinurZ Thanks for being interested! However, the program is currently not made available in Kazakhstan. We do hope to bring it to more places in the future. 🙂

[Mahantesh-Biradar]

Hi @Corrie is this program active for Taiwan?

Thanks 

Mahantesh