whats up with those 3d cameras?

[darinwc]

Anybody know the principles behind those "3d" cameras with 4 lenses?

 

[reellis67]

They are called lenticular cameras and the principle is quite interesting. some info can be found here (please pardon the wiki source), and a little more here. The prints, when well made, are really quite stunning. The problem has always been cost though. If you want to get one, stay away from the Nishika and go with the Nimslo. The former is very, very poor quality while the latter is really an amazing piece of engineering with an interesting history.

- Randy

 

[Jeffrey S. Winn]

Randy,

This type of photography seems interesting to play around with. I don't know if I'd like a steady stream of these photos, but every once in a while sounds fun.

You mentioned that the photos are expensive to get printed. Do you have any estimate as to what price range you are talking about? The cameras are pretty cheap, and for fun it might be worth the effort.

Interesting stuff!

Jeff

 

[reellis67]

Check here. They are the one company left that does this sort of processing on a small scale (per roll basis rather than commercial basis) - Snap3D I believe. From what I hear, their service is good and they are reliable to deal with. DO NOT send your film to anyone that you cannot contact first, and even then I would at least scan the negatives before sending them out. I sent film and payment to a place called Click3D once because they sent me mailers right away when I requested them. As it turned out, they took the money and my film despite the fact that they were bankrupt already - they just kept sending out mailers on demand because they were right foul gits as they say. Snap3D on the other hand, are supposed to be good and have a long(ish) reputation for being very good to work wtih, so I wouldn't worry about them as much, but I would still make scans. For the latest info on them, check the Yahoo! group photo-3d - they are the best source for information of this type that I've seen.

There is really nothing quite like a large lenticular print. I'm a stereoscopic nut anyway, but these things are really cool. No glasses need, just your eyeballs and the print. I wouldn't get all my photographs done in this fashion due to cost, but if it were cheaper I'd not get tired of this format easily. I keep meaning to send off for 5-6 8x10 prints - everything that I have right now is quite small, but still really fun. I'd love to get some of my better Realist slides printed in this fashion...

- Randy

 

[Jeffrey S. Winn]

Randy,

Thanks for the information. I enjoy messing around with stereo photos, but I really don't take that many photos. I probably shoot about 2-3 rolls per year with my Kodak Stereo Camera. I do this just as a change of pace, and something for the kids to play with as well.

I think I need to learn more about these cameras and this type of photos before I jump in.

Thanks again for the quick response, and all of the help.

Jeff

 

[reellis67]

No problem - happy to talk stereo photography any day of the week! I still have a Kodak Stereo 35, my earliest stereo camera, but now use a Stereo Realist (David White) and a green button viewer. I shoot somewhere on the order of 12-15 rolls in stereo per year it seems, or at least I did when we had the time/money to travel more. It's still my favorite type of photography (I loved ViewMaster when I was a child) - it's like being there all over again. If my house were to burn down, I would try save the stereo slides of my family and pets first.

- Randy