Re: 3-D Startup Recommendations

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Mark and welcome to photo-3d!

>I humbly and with great embarrassment want to post a question to the
>group. I'M NEW TO 3-D

No need to be embarrassed... At one time or another we were ALL new
to 3-D!!! :-)

>I want to shoot 35mm slides...I have 3 SLRs
>of different makes ( some similar focal length lenses) I want cut,crop
>and mount the slides
>myself. I may also want to project the 3-D images in the future. 

So far so good...

>Must slides be individually mounted or stereo mounted to project.....

Either... Slide users are divided to two camps.  Those who keep their
slides individually mounted - this format is known as 2x2x2 (USA) or
50x50x2 (metric)- and those who mount them in one frame of standard
40x101 mm dimensions - known as "Realist format" from the camera
system that made it popular.  

The difference between the two systems is that a different set of viewing
and projecting hardware is required.  I follow the Realist format and use
Realist-format viewers and projectors from the 50s.  There are also cheap
viewers for $3 or so.  Others use the 2x2x2 format and use the appropriate
viewers or regular projectors.  Reel-3d is a good source for inexpensive
viewers in either system.

>what camera shouldI buy for35mm
>format....or should I use a bar and try to line up
>2 different cameras.....

For starters, use what you have now.  Try ONE camera, take a picture and
slide it by 2 1/2 inches and take another picture to record your first
stereo pair.  Then, continue by trying TWO cameras with lenses of similar
focal lengths and see that happens. (The focal lengths might not match
well).  Again for starters use commercial mounting and cheap 2x2x2 viewers.

After this initial experimentation you will be ready to explore more
options like a REAL stereo camera from the 50s, etc., etc.

>Should I shoot full frame
>or 1/2 frame and what viewer would you suggest? 

At first you will be shooting full frame.  I suggest one of the cheap
plastic viewers sold by Reel-3d.  If you get into the Realist format
(the pictures from a Realist-format camera are not exactly 1/2 frame, 
rather 2/3 frame) then you can start thinking about Realist-format
hardware.

>Easier yet ...what BOOK
>can you suggest that explains the different formats?
>I'm just confused on which way to go.

The important point if you are beginner is that you don't have to make
a decision about anything right now, other than a few cheap viewers which
you should buy anyways.  Reel 3-D sells books for beginners.  Get their
catalog and have fun looking at what is available.  Call them at 310-
837-2368.  This is a good starting point.  There is more that can come
later...  As I said, I work in the Realist format using both a Realist
camera and two Minolta X-700 cameras.  I mount the full-frame pairs that
I get from my Minolta cameras in one frame with 7p windows.  I use the same
viewer and the same projector to project all slides.

Best luck... -- George Themelis


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