Q-1: What is 3-D Photography?
A-1: 3-D (or stereo) photography uses
a special two-lensed camera with lens spacing about the same as
your eyes. When the resulting two images are viewed in a two-lensed
viewer, each eye sees the single corresponding image intended
for it. The brain fuses these into a true three dimensional image
with all of the depth and reality as the original. This can be
done with film or digital cameras.
Q-2: What do I need to get started in 3-D photography?
A-2: Although 3-D pictures can be
taken with any single camera (as long as the subjects are not
moving) by shifting the camera, the simplest way to take 3-D prints
is with an Argus Point-and-shoot 3-D Print Camera . It even comes
with it's own 3-D Print Viewer. The easiest way to start taking
3-D slides is to get a 1950's stereo camera, such as a Stereo
Realist or Kodak Stereo. Some independent labs still offers stereo
mounting or you can cut and mount your own. Add a 3-D slide viewer
and that's all you need!
Q-3: What books will give more "In Depth" information
about 3-D photography?
A-3: For beginners "Photographing in 3-D" is a great start. If you are more advanced, "Stereo Photography" by F. Waack is much more detailed.
Q-4: Are any 3-D cameras available new?
A-4: There are cameras available,
searching the internet is the best way to find them.
Q-5: How can I find used stereo cameras, projectors, or other
old 3-D equipment?
A-5: The NSA convention is always
a good place, vendor web sites and eBay are also a good way to
find equipment.
Q-6: Do I need special film to take 3-D photographs?
A-6: No. Standard film is used. You
will need either a 3-D camera, or a standard one-lensed camera
(shifted horizontally between exposures) to take your left and
right pair of pictures.
Q-7: What are the best 3-D slide mounts to use?
A-7: This is a question that we get asked quite often, so it really needs to be qualified. The best available mounts in terms of precision and accuracy are the Albion aluminum stereo mounts and RBT plastic stereo mounts. The best mounts in terms of economy and value are the Cardboard Heat Seal mounts. The easiest to use, although not the best quality or the least expensive, are the Cardboard Slip-In stereo mounts. You'll have to decide for yourself which qualities make a mount the "best for you".
Q-8: What is the best 1950's 3-D camera?
A-8: There is no simple answer. All
of the most popular models are of good quality, so the key is
the features and layout that you prefer. The most popular models
are the Stereo Realist, Kodak Stereo, Revere, Wollensak, &
TDC. The Busch Verascope F40 and Belplasca are also excellent,
but take a non-standard format which you must always mount yourself.
Q-9: Is it possible to take 3-D pictures with a standard 35mm camera or a standard digital camera?
A-9: Yes. A single camera can be used to take 3-D photos of non-moving subjects by shifting the camera horizontally about 2½" (65mm) between the right & left exposures. A smaller shift is used for close-ups (hypostereo), and a larger shift can be used for distant subjects (hyperstereo). Matched pairs of 35 mm cameras or digital cameras may also be used in tandem.
Q-10: Can 3-D slides be projected in 3-D?
A-10: Yes. This requires a special two-lensed projector (or two projectors), a silver (not white!) screen, and polarized 3-D glasses. Digital images can be projected via two digital projectors in the same manor.
Q-11: Can Carousel-type slide projectors be used for 3-D projection?
A-11: Yes. Matched pairs of projectors can be used to project properly mounted stereo pairs in separate 2" x 2" mounts. Polarizers have to be added to the front of the projection lenses, and a silver screen with polarized 3-D glasses must be used.
Q-12: What is the difference between the Carousel & Ektagraphic
35mm slide projector models?
A-12: Both look the same, and take the same Kodak Carousel trays, but the Ektagraphic models have "positive gate registration" which position the slides exactly the same every time. This makes for consistent 3-D projection registration. Precision mounting is still essential.
Q-13: Can I have my normal flat 35mm slides made into 3-D?
A-13: No. A pair of 3-D slides are actually slightly different. An identical pair mounted for 3-D viewing may appear to be behind a window, but within the scene it will appear flat.
Q-14: Is it difficult to mount my own 3-D slides?
A-14: No! Once you learn how it is really quite simple. Instructions come with most of our mounts.
Q-15: What does the term "Realist Format" mean?
A-15: "Realist Format" is used to describe any camera, viewer, or slide mount which corresponds to the Stereo Realist 3-D camera system. The Kodak Stereo, Revere, Wollensak, TDC and many others are all "Realist Format" stereo cameras. Stereo mounts have outer dimensions of 1 5/8" x 4" (41mm x 101mm) with 23mm x 22mm apertures.
Q-16: Who can repair my stereo camera?
A-16:
Camera Tech, NV, (702) 259-8455
George Themelis, OH Tel: (216) 838-4752, e-mail: DrT-3d@att.net
There are more repair places and people around the country, but
we are limited here due to space constraints. This list is not
intended as an endorsement, it is
provided only as a service. Please use at your own risk.
Q-17: Is there a lab that will make lenticular 3-D prints from
negative film exposed in Nimslo, Nishika, Rittai (4 lens cameras)
or ImageTech 3D Wizard, 3D Magic, 3D-1000, 3D fx or 3D trio (3
lens cameras)?
A-17: Yes. http://www.snap3d.com
Q-18: Where can I find out more about 3-D camera clubs?
A-18: A list of 3-D Clubs worldwide
is available at the this site or the Stereoscopy.com website.
The National Stereoscopic Association and International Stereoscopic
Union have much to offer and are worth joining .
Q-19: Is there a web site that teaches an overview of the whole
subject of 3-D photography?
A-19: Yes. A search for "3-d
photography" will bring up lots of information and many interesting
sites.
Q-20: Am I alone in my passion for 3-D photography?
A-20: No! You are one of many 3-D enthusiasts . Every day we hear from new people who have just discovered the excitement of 3-D. So spread the word and share the fun .
There are many sources for various 3-D needs throughout the world. Here are a few addresses and phone numbers which might be useful to you now: This list is provided as a service , and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the NSA. Please understand that this is a very small list of some of the many 3-D services available throughout the world.
3-D SLIDE DEVELOPING & MOUNTING:
(Stereo Realist Size) May not be up to date as many people are
switching to digital formats.
The following labs in the United States offer stereo slide processing
and mounting services (current as of March 2002). Please contact
them directly for specific information:
Pinkey's Photo Service, P.O. Box 1087,
Little Rock, AR 72203, Tel.: (501) 375-6409
Rocky Mountain Film Lab, 560 Geneva Street, Aurora, CO 80010,
Tel.: (303) 364-6444
3-D (Stereo Realist Size) SLIDE DUPLICATION
SERVICES
Barrie Bieler, 737 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Tel: (510)
939-6272
Atkinson-Stedco, CA Tel: (213) 655-1255
SIDE-BY-SIDE PRINTS FROM STEREO REALIST
or NIMSLO SIZE NEGATIVES
Grand Photo, MN Tel: (612) 699-9886, E-Mail: mccoy13@mn.uswest.net
DEVELOPING AND PROCESSING FOR NIMSLO,
NISHIKA, RITTAI (4 lens cameras) OR IMAGETECH 3D WIZARD, 3D MAGIC,
3D-1000, 3D FX AND 3D TRIO (3 lens cameras)
Snap3d.com
VIEW-MASTER REEL MOUNTING SERVICE
3-Dimensional Services: OR Tel: 541-846-7185
WEB SITE FOR VIEW-MASTER USERS AND
COLLECTORS
The View-Master Resource
NON-STEREO (WILL MAKE SLIDES FROM
UNCUT NEGATIVE FILM)
Dale Laboratories, FL Tel (305) 925-0103
3-D CAMERA REPAIR SERVICES
Camera Tech, NV (702) 259-8455 all stereo cameras
3-D VIEWER REPAIR/UPDATING & BOOKS
ON 3-D VIEWER REPAIRS
George Themelis, OH Tel: (440) 838-4752, E-Mail: DrT-3d@att.net,
DrT's Stereo Page (http://home.att.net/~drt-3d/)
PLASTIC GERMAN RBT SLIDE MOUNTS &
RBT STEREO CAMERAS
Jon Golden, MA, Tel: (508) 653-4166, E-Mail: 3dman@ziplink.net,
http://www.stereoscopy.com/3d-concepts
LENTICULAR 3-D CAMERAS, 6x6cm 3-D
CAMERAS & 6x6cm 3-D MOUNTS and other MISC. 3-D GOODIES
Rocky Mountain Memories, CO, Tel (970) 223-2097, E-Mail: rkymtmem@frii.com,
http://www.frii.com/~rkymtmem
PROFESSIONAL 3-D SERVICES (Lenticular,
Anaglyph, custom 3-D work)
David Burder, 3D Images, London, England Tel: +44-20-8364-0022,
E-Mail: burder3d@aol.com, http://www.stereoscopy.com/3d-images
New Vision Technology, CA Tel: (619) 941-5500, E-Mail: 3dguy@home.com,
http://www.3d-web.com
USED 3-D CAMERAS, PROJECTORS, VIEWERS
& OTHER 3-D GOODIES
3-D by DDDalia. NV, (702) 838-7015, Fax: (702) 838-7016, E-Mail:
ddd@3dstereo.com, http://www.3dstereo.com
PhotoEmporium, Inc. IL, (312) 777-3915, Fax: (312) 777-3515
BPW Limited. CA, (310) 397-5576, http://www.bpwltd.com
STEREOVIEW CARDBOARD MOUNTS - CLASSIC
3½" x 7" SIZE
Q-Vue, P.O. Box 55, Holtville, CA 92250-0055 Tel: (619) 356-1138
PRISM STEREOSCOPES
PokeScope® 3D-Viewer -- A handheld stereoscope for computers
and prints which works with any size stereo pair.
SLIDE BARS
Jasper Engineering, 1240 Pear Ave., Unit A, Mountain View, CA
94043 Tel: (415) 967-1578
3-D TV, 3-D VIDEOS, LCD GLASSES
3DTV Corp, 1863 Pioneer Pkwy E. #303, Springfield OR 97477, Tel:
(941) 988-9634
V-Rex, Tel: 1-888-VRSURFER, E-Mail: info@vrex.com, http://www.vrex.com
ORGANIZATIONS
The National Stereoscopic Association (NSA) publishes an excellent
bi-monthly publication called "Stereo World". They sponsor
an annual 3-D convention in a different location in the USA each
year. See main pages for information about the next scheduled
convention. Write to them at: P.O. Box 86708, Portland, OR 97286.
http://www.stereoview.org
The International Stereoscopic Union
(ISU) is a worldwide organization with a quarterly journal and
a bi-annual convention in a different country every time. More
information about the ISU is available on-line: http://www.stereoscopy.com/isu.
The USA representive is Terry Wilson, P. O. Box 1531, Medford,
NJ 08055-1531
Phone +1 (609) 744-6364, e-mail: terry@terryfic.com
Again, we repeat, these sources are provided as a service to YOU. We have not personally used all of them, nor do we have prices or additional information that we can provide on their behalf. Please use them at your own discretion, and contact these sources directly if you have questions.
