tabletop lenticular 3d

[P3D Elliott Swanson <elliott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well gang, the results are back-- tabletop lenticular 3D using the 
ImageTech ImageTrack rail and an Olympus Pen FT with a 38mm lens and +2 
diopter correction works!

I built a small table top setup based upon an idea derived from the 
motion picture Blade Runner. In the foreground is a silver origami 
unicorn, in the midrange is a replica of the handgun used in the film, 
and in the background is a photograph of the character "Rachel" as a child.

The ImageTrack is a machined aluminum horizontal travel rail with a
targeting device that matches to locations etched into the rail. You use
these location points to control camera movement between exposures.  By
using an Pen F, or any vertical half frame camera, you can produce three
image lenticular photos (using c-41 color negative film) that ImageTech
will process for the consumer price of a buck each. If you want, you can
use a full fame 35mm or a 2 1/4 and make up to a 7 image lenticular photo,
but then you pay the commercial rate of $80 for an 8x10 for the
specialized processing. I like cheap.

The ImageTrack comes with 4 "computers" that are circles with moving 
masks that have values for focal length, foreground distance, midrange 
distance (key object), and background distance. Making the corrections 
for using a 38mm with a +2 diopter added put the closest range in the 
scale at 35mm focal length (thanks John B for the help with this!)

The unit also comes with an instructional videotape and a manual. I think 
the price is about $250-$300. My ImageTrack was given to me so I don't 
have the exact numbers.

Once you've taken a little time to review the instructions and set up the
objects in the correct locations (this is crucial) and set the lighting,
the photography is easy. 

I also did another trick possible with the rail-- 2D animation. Again,
this uses 3 images, and what I did was take three frames from Blade Runner
(photographs pulled from an anamorphic print of the film) where the above
mentioned photograph briefly "comes to life." shadows move in the image.
The resulting lenticular photo looks like a flat still-- until you move 
it, and then the shadows and the highlights subtly shift. The effect is 
sort of unnerving just like it was in the movie. You can also do things 
like make a glass of wine go from full to empty as you move the photo.

I plan to write up a detailed description of the process and see if 
Stereo World might be interested in publishing it. 

In any case, all you need is an Olympus Pen FT, a 38mm lens, a set of + 
diopter lenses, and an Image Track and you're in business. 

(Joel may be able to get the Image Track for you since he's an ImageTech 
dealer.)


--Elliott

BTW, I'm looking for a 20mm Pen F lens for some wide angle experiments.


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