RE: Nishika Cameras

[P3D John W Roberts <roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Sun, 9 Mar 1997 13:20:03 -0600
>From: P3D Sam Smith  <3dhacker@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: RE: Nishika Cameras

>...( although the Nishika is NOT a true stereo camera,
>but a LENTICULAR camera)...

That line will certainly be of benefit to those who think there hasn't been
enough debate - I anticipate about 50 posts over the next week in a vigorous
debate over whether lenticular cameras "count" as "true stereo cameras", the
end result of which will be that nobody will end up with any information that
they didn't have already. What makes it so ideal for a debate is that there
aren't objective criteria to go by, so everybody can recite their subjective
criteria ("to me, the only true stereo photography is zooming along on my
jet ski, the wind in my face, my faithful Poseidon 900 strapped to my head, 
taking pictures with the bite-activated cable release - no other camera 
quite measures up as a true stereo camera"). Of course, there are a few
spoil-sports who question the value of trying to define the "true stereo
camera". :-)

>Who's arguing with
>that? The fact of the matter is there are also $700 Nishika cameras out
>there, same camera, same quality.

I agree - if they were all $25 it would be one thing, but as some continue
to be offered (and perhaps even sold) for much higher prices, it's not entirely
accurate to describe it as a $25 camera.

Unlike other hobbies such as dentistry, when a person gets into 3D photography,
the natural inclination is usually to start with some tentative projects and
minor expenses, then add equipment and refine techniques as interest and
confidence grow. I started out taking 3D photos with a 2D camera, and if
"taking 3D pictures" is all you're interested in, there's no reason to go
any further. I decided that I wanted to improve the quality of my pictures
and expand the range of what I could photograph in 3D, so I got interested
in twin rigs, macro rigs, and "1950's style transparency-based dedicated
stereo cameras". To some extent, these different technologies were for
different applications.

If the Nishika could serve a useful purpose as a start-up camera for
people who have become interested in a certain kind of 3D photography
(and who may go on to more sophisticated equipment in the future), then
that would be a point in its favor. But it would need to be clarified
that this would be for a start-up application, and not relevant to a
pro who's looking for a really fancy piece of equipment.

John R


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