Pixiq

The 3D revolution is here!

The intent of 3D imaging is to recreate vision the way we humans actually see the world. Because it is the way humans see things, you'd think we would have had this stereo thing wrapped up years ago. The difficulty is finding ways to allow each eye to see slightly different perspectives of the subject or scene. Most of the time, we need some kind of viewing device.

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Most people do not know this, but there is a way to make most any moving image appear in 3 dimensions. sometimes when I sit in a theater oR watch TV, I place my hand over one eye in such a way as to produce a small aperture with my thumb and forefinger. When I do this, I can actually see the movie or TV show, or the news in full 3D stereo.

The technique is actually called the Pulfrich technique or Pulrich effect. It is a phenomenon that has to do with signal timing to the brain. The way I understand it, there is a slight difference in the time it takes for the covered eye to send a signal to the brain which allows us to see the moving frames at slightly different times. Meanwhile the uncovered eye is already sending the next frames to the brain.

The effect works so well that they actually sell Pulfrich glasses, and there have been TV shows that have been produced specifically for pulfrich viewing.

The glasses function the same way as my hand except the glasses use a dark lens over one eye to cause the delay. i make my own using an old pair of sunglasses with the lens removed from one side. the problem with this technique is that over a relatively short period of time it causes A strain on the eyes and can cause discomfort.

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This is not the first time that 3D has been introduced to the consumer. The concept of 3D imaging has been around since the beginning of photography. For a  few times in photographic history, stereo imaging was very popular. The Victorian age had stereo cards which for the day were equivalent to TV for entertainment and learning. During the 1950's stereo period there were 35mm stereo cameras, Kodachrome film stereo projections and Viewmaster Stereo Viewers not to mention 3D movies seen through red/cyan 3D glasses. if you look at the history of 3D, you will find that many of the new technologies are re-runs of what has happened in the past. The big difference now is that it can all be reproduced in many digital ways. Time will tell if this is another round of the same old fad or if through digital we have finally created a form of this technology that will stay.

During the past year or so there has been an influx of Stereo 3D products from at least a few brave camera manufacturers who recognize a new opportunity using the capabilities of digital imaging technology.

The first real and completely digital offering came from FujiFilm with the introduction of their FinePix 3D W1. This camera is basically two cameras that function simultaneously.   Capable of capturing 3D video as well as 3 dimensional still imagery, this camera was meant to be a consumer camera for capturing those everyday images of family and places. The images can be immediately viewed in full 3D on the cameras monitor.

In recent months, a few other 3D camera offerings have come to the forefront along with the advent of 3DTV.

Recently, FujiFilm released an upgrade to the W1. The latest camera called the FujiFilm FinePix 3D W3 has a few improvements that make it easier to use. it is now easier to hold without having your fingers in the shot. It appears to me that the monitor is brighter and sharper. The buttons and user interface are easier to use and operate more like you would expect from a more conventional camera.

Panasonic has also been playing in the 3D realm which is evident in their release of two new products. They have developed a new interchangeable Micro 43rds lens that will take 3D stereo images using a Micro 43rds camera. To obtain stereo, the lens utilizes 2 small lenses that are mounted side-by-side in the lens barrel. The second product is the HDC-SDT750K HD Video camera that can capture 3D Video using a similar lens adapter.

 

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"Recording 3D images is now as easy as attaching the 3D conversion lens that comes with the worlds first* consumer 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750. Powerful, true-to-life 3D images like those created by Panasonic 3D recording technologies for use in Hollywood movies can now be easily recorded and viewed at home.**

With the addition of our new 3D conversion lens to our 700 series highly touted 3MOS system you can shoot 3D video using the same principle as human vision. Left-and right-eye images are simultaneously shot with two lenses. The SDT750 creates 3D images by artificially reproducing visual disparity."

 

Source: Panasonic 

It will not be a surprise to me if other companies such as Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Canon produce there own stereo image capture systems. I can't wait to see what they produce. 

It is my belief that we are just now nearing the brink of what 3D will become. It is a fascinating technology that has reached another level of possibility.  I believe that there must be a new technology, yet to be discovered, that will be the ultimate means for creating a 3D image that does not require a monitor or glasses or any contraption to view the reuults. While we might not be there yet, we are closer than ever.