Re: People's reactions to stereo cameras

[P3D John W Roberts <roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 16:05:51 -0500
>From: "P3D Gregory J. Wageman" <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: People's reactions to stereo cameras

>What I've found to be amusing is the range of
>people's reactions.  Here's what I've observed:

>1. Staring.  The person has obviously recognized that it's something
>   unusual, but is too shy or doesn't want to intrude on your privacy...

>3. "Why does your camera have two lenses?"  

>4. "Is that a stereo camera?"

>So how common are these?  What have *you* experienced?  Have I missed
>any common ones?

(1) I've encountered people who stared, and that's what *I* did the one time 
I *think* I saw an RBT (the user was very busy photographing a sports car and
a woman in front of a building near Futuroscope, so I would have had to
interrupt his photo session to ask. Also, I don't know the French name for
"RBT". :-)

(3) Many people have asked that.
(4) I hear that fairly often when carrying 3D camera in public.
     But about equally often, someone asks "Is that so you can get twice as
     many photos?"

Another reaction - fear/intimidation/avoidance (more for hyperstereo rigs than
regular stereo cameras).

The only reaction that really irritates me is an occasional apparent look of
revulsion, which usually comes from people who appear to be trying very hard
to be dignified and self-sufficient - the impression I get is that a stereo
camera doesn't fit into their model of the world, so they don't want it to
exist. These people *never* say anything to me. Fortunately, it's a very rare
reaction - I probably don't encounter more than 5-10 a year (and generally
none when carrying a 2D camera or no camera, so it's not just me. :-)
[Disclaimer - it's not always easy to judge people's emotions by their facial
expressions - maybe they're just trying to look even more dignified than usual,
and not succeeding.]

Overall, I'd say lots of kids and young adults are fascinated by stereo
cameras, and lots of the older folks recognize them. But just about everybody
knows what a Viewmaster is.

John R


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