ACE Camera Club (inc)

  EXPERIMENTS WITH 3D  

In 1833, Sir Charles Wheatstone came up with the idea of presenting slightly different images to the two eyes using a device he called a reflecting mirror stereoscope.

The invention of the Brewster Stereoscope by the Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster in 1849 provided a template for all later stereoscopes.

Look at this image cross-eyed and it will appear in 3D.

The popularity of 3D movies and photography has come and gone over the years since then and has never really gained a foothold due mainly to the inconvenience of having to wear glasses.

Stereo Realist 3D film camera, 1950's

The concept is that you take two images side by side at the same separation distance as the human eye.  Then when you view each image in a stereo viewer or through special glasses, the effect of depth is recreated.   Whatever system is used it comes down to separating the right and left images which the brain perceives as having depth.

Two digital cameras side by side with syncronised shutters

The effect can be produced by using two cameras spaced at approx eye to eye distance and taking two separate images.   This effect can also by achieved by using one camera on a sliding base unit.

Pentax made an image splitting attachment which is fixed to the front of the camera lens to get the same effect.    There are apps available for smartphones where you can simulate 3D and you can even replicate the effect by carefully taking a photo then moving your camera 70mm to the right and taking another.

Single camera adjustable sliding base unit

Special software is available to process the two separate images into a single one for viewing in various formats.

If you're taking two shots that contain movement they need to be perfectly syncronised to avoid optical issues.

Our club has exhibited 3D prints, slideshows, movies and live camera demonstrations at various events and they've always attracted a lot of interest.

Stereo photography is probably never going to become mainstream until there is a way found to make viewing more natural and at the moment this remains the hurdle that prevents 3D from widespread adoption in all forms of visual media.     

In the meantime it will remain an interesting novelty that comes and goes with each generation.