Re: Medium format 3d, terminology, stereophobia, vibration damping

[P3D John W Roberts <roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 16:22:30 -0600
>From: P3D Greg Erker <erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

>>Is yours on a Web page?

>  No. I'll send you something directly.

Got it - thanks.

>>I'd consider at least the twin and "siamesed" to be "real stereo cameras"
>>as well. How about calling the 1950's models, FED, etc. "dedicated stereo
>>cameras"? :-)

>  By "real stereo" I meant cameras designed to take stereo
>pictures. By that definition twin's aren't real, siamesed
>could be considered real or not depending on who's portion
>of the design you are talking about (the camera company or
>the siamese-er).

Hm, this is the second time I've gotten involved in a terminology debate
this year, probably because I think that word choice often does make a
difference in dealing with people. In the "LCD vs LCS" debate back in 
January (I never mentioned *why* I got excited about it) it was a case of 
"overloading" of the terminology - some users of the equipment have started 
to use a term which is the same as the term for something that is quite 
different, but in a closely related field, so confusion could result.

In this case, it's a simple matter of "public relations". I regard my twin
X-700 assembly to be a *single stereo camera*, which I specifically designed
and built to take stereo pictures. To imply that it's not a "real stereo
camera" would hurt my feelings (sniff )-; . On the other hand, it's not a
"dedicated stereo camera", because I can disconnect the wiring and remove
the cameras from the assembly for separate conventional 2D use, which isn't
an option for a Realist-type or a "siamesed" camera. So "dedicated" gets
the distinction across, without putting down other designs. "Slide-oriented"
is another possibility, but the 50's style cameras, FED, etc. *can* be
used for prints even though that was not the original intention, while 
George and others use twin cameras mainly for slides.

"That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet;
but if you call it a tulip you'll create confusion in the floral industry,
and if you call it a maggotstench ebolaflower, the florist won't sell as
many." :-)

>> When I use a 4-foot
>>hyperstereo bar, especially with a tripod, most everybody keeps a safe
>>distance away...

>  When I had my twin Ricohflex's on an 8 foot bar with two
>tripods at the Canada Day Fireworks I didn't notice this.
>A few but (not many) people asked what I was doing.  Maybe
>it's a Canadian thing :)

I don't know - I've never tried it with an 8-foot bar. Maybe they were so
terrified that they decided it would be unsafe to show fear, and a few
brave volunteers drew straws to see who would feign casual interest. :-) :-)

BTW - has anyone ever come across a good way to damp the oscillations at the
tripod mount to which the really long hyperstereo bars are prone?

John R


------------------------------