For quite some time, the mavens have been obsessing over stereo photography; in particular, how 3D imagery can be displayed without lenticular screens or cumbersome 3D glasses.
We believe that the success versus failure rate of 3D technology in the long term of home entertainment depends on one thing and one thing only…losing the glasses.
Stereoscopic animated gifs, like the one above, use the ‘wiggle’ method as a simple stereogram viewing technique. Basically, the image is alternating between the left and right images of a stereogram.
If it’s possible to view a still picture in 3D without any special screens or glasses (albeit with a little ‘wiggle’), then there must be a way to simulate 3D on a moving picture, as well.
‘How’, you ask? Well, first we need millions of dollars in research and development, years of patent litigation, and one crude businessman to steal everyone’s ideas, bundle them all together and brand it as his own. Boom. Done. Ship to customer.
Seriously? Go check out what the boys at Stereo D are doing if you really love 3D tech.
In the meantime, if you’re an indie filmmaker and want to keep the 3D revolution going, we’d like to share a few of the ways you can do that on your own.
1. The HDSLR slider ($2,8oo approx)
With all the craze surrounding HDSLR technology, we thought we’d start with a rig built for that type of camera (you could also use two iPhones). It’s called the DIY rig, as in Do-it-yo-damn-self.
All you need is a level rail of sorts, a ruler and two sliding camera mounts. How far apart should you place the lenses? Typically, 2.5″ apart, or what’s commonly known as ‘eye spacing’. For more information on 3D lens setups, click here.
The problem with this rig, although simple to use and extremely cost-efficient, is that you are unable to move the cameras close enough to get your ‘eye spacing’. Which means that this rig is best for wider landscapes and vistas, imagery where the ‘one in thirty’ rule can work within the limitations of the rig itself.
2. The Panasonic 3D Camera Fleet ($14k approx)
The Panasonic 3D camera fleet (as we’re calling it) consists of the following cameras: AG-3DA1 , AG3DA1PJ, HDC-z10000, and the HDC-SDT750.
The best thing about these Panasonic cameras is that everything is packed together inside the body. The amount of thought you must put into the actual ’3D’ element of the shot is nominal. This allows you to focus solely on the composition and lighting, which, if you’re a DP, is where your mind should be, anyway. The downside of this camera is that the lenses are locked, which means the 3D only works well when you’re a certain distance away from the subject. Panasonic tried making up for this shortfall by allowing the operator to manually adjust the point of convergence (where the stereo images come together).
All in all, they’re not bad cameras. We’ve actually chosen the AG3DA1PJ, pictured directly above, many times due to the ‘ease of use’ factor we mentioned earlier.
3. A Mirror Rig ($14k approx)
The mirror rig shown above is much like the Genus Hurrican 3D Camera Rig (which won Best of Show at NAB 2011). This setup is the end-all and be-all for precise 3D cinematography. You can adjust the cameras specifically for each shot, and since the camera bodies are on a mirror system, you can move them around without bumping them into each other.
Although the rig itself is a bit large and cumbersome to work with, this is as good as ‘manual’ control is going to get with your indie 3D photography.
Unfortunately for some indie filmmakers, the Panasonic cameras, as well as the mirror rigs, can get so expensive that the production budget begins bleeding red. But if 3D is an important aspect to your storytelling, we suggest you call up that rich uncle, or borrow from a friend of a friend, or find a freelance DP online who has his own 3D equipment, like Bruce Schultz at Primetime Digital (the images above were taken inside Bruce’s shop).
Now go forth, young mavens, and spread the word of stereoscopic cinematography. The holodeck on the Starship Enterprise depends on it!
Seriously, this is by no means an extensive or exhaustive list. If you have something to add, please feel free to share.
