Fun 3D madness

[MovieStuff]

Hi all!

I dabble in 3D photography on occasion. I recently started an ongoing project where I take successive frames from dolly shots in movies and use them to create 3D stereoscopic images. I just posted my first efforts using footage from Lord of the Rings. It's comin' atcha in 3D here:

http://www.moviestuff.tv/stereo.html

Some of the computer generated imagery is fun to view in 3D (like a ViewMaster, remember those?). Anyway, enjoy...

Roger

[Guest]

Ever experiment with stereo cinematography? Any tips?

[MovieStuff]

I've shot a bit of 3D in both film and video. For obvious reasons, video is easier. For film you either need mechanicall interlocked or crystal synched cameras. Mechanical is better so that the cameras are in phase with each other (both shutters open at the same time). Also, you can use a beam splitter array to use a single camera if you don't mind having a 3D image that looks like it was shot through a door opening. Bolex made an attachment like that but it is easy to make yourself if you have access to first surface mirrors. For systems using two cameras, you will need two projectors that are interlocked as well. The old Super 8 Sound company offered a set up called a "Double Band" projector that used Eumig projectors tied to tegether with a toothed synch belt at the rear. A little awkard to set up but the results were nothing short of spectacular. Stop motion shot with two cameras is easy to do and doesn't require anything specia to shoot. I'll see if I have some old drawings or photos of the beam splitter array used for shooting 3D with a single camera. It's fun!

Roger

[Guest]

Two cameras locked together seems crazy. I was thinking beam-splitter, something like this:
"Stereo Attachment For Zenit"
http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/camimg/26-1.jpg

It looks like each input port is tall and skinny (half the frame) so I imagine that's what you meant by "looking like you shot it through a door opening"?

[MovieStuff]

That's right. Personally, I like the wider aspect ratio of using two cameras. I've done 16mm stereo where I put two super 8 type images side by side and that really worked sweet. Looked just like two super 8 images without the hassle of using two super 8 cameras.

You can also use something called "the Pendulum Effect" with only one camera to get stunning 3D effects full frame. If you place a dark filter (like a pair of sun glasses with only one lens) over one eye, that eye will see things in "delayed time". This is because the dark filter causes a delay in the transmission of the image along the optic nerve. Therefore, if you have a camera that is dollying along constantly in one direction, it is constantly changing perspective while you shoot. That means that successive frames will see "around" objects from a slightly different angle. By placing a dark filter over one eye, it can be made to "see" a different set of frames than the uncovered eye that sees in "real time". The difference in perspective between the two camera positions creates a very realistic stereoscopic effect -as long as the camera keeps moving!- If the camera stops moving, then the 3D effect vanishes.

Roger

[Split8mm]

http://www.moviestuff.tv/stereo.html

Some of the computer generated imagery is fun to view in 3D (like a ViewMaster, remember those?). Anyway, enjoy...

Roger

Very nice work Roger! 8) I'm an active 3D photographer using 1950s vintage cameras. I've seen people do the sort of thing you did here, but your images are crisper than anything I've seen before. Thanks for sharing!

[Split8mm]

You can also use something called "the Pendulum Effect" with only one camera to get stunning 3D effects full frame. If you place a dark filter (like a pair of sun glasses with only one lens) over one eye, that eye will see things in "delayed time".

I've also heard this called the "Pulfrich" effect. I've seen movie shorts where this effect was the main attraction. Not much of a story line, but it's a neat effect!

[Split8mm]

Sorry for the double post.

[MovieStuff]

Yes, here is a very good explanation and example of the effect:

http://dogfeathers.com/java/pulfrich.html

I could not remember the official name but I had also heard it called the pendulum effect since a swinging pendulum would appear to move in an eliptical pattern when using a filter over one eye. The above website has a very good example of this.

Roger