P3D Re: Star D-ii viewer

[Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998
>From: Lynn asks:
>
>...................
>New question - think someone mentioned taking film from their Linticular
>camera to a processor and having them make prints from the two outside
>frames, could you tell me where you had this done? Also does anyone know
>what size of stereo mounts would be used if I show slide film in that
>camera and again used the two outside frames?
>Thanks much
>Lynn
>n0alo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


******  I regularly take my lenticular camera films to the local drugstore,
drop them off with instructions for half frame prints and get back a large
stack of prints. The standard offer locally is two for one, meaning two
prints of each exposure. Since the lenticular has three shots for each
scene, I get back 6 prints of each scene. Two sets of three.

There is sometimes a problem with random loss of image content on the sides,
so a slightly better way is to request that the half frame prints be printed
on oversize paper. That way you can trim them yourself and not lose the
edges. You might have to pay for the larger size though.

In one instance I took my film to a different processor, who did not have a
half-frame tool for their automatic processing machine. I took the
unnacceptable results back (the processor and the retailer where I took the
film were two different entities and the retailer had to provide the
information as to where the processor was so I could do the talking...) and
explained about what I needed. The oversize paper approach was most
appropriate in this instance. The results were worth the extra effort. Since
in this case they did not have the special half frame tool, I got prints of
actual pairs since there are two exposures in each standard frame.

I've been impressed with the good image quality of the prints especially
compared to the quality of image in the lenticular versions. Mostly I enjoy
the much faster turn-around time (2 to 3 days instead of 4 weeks!). If the
lenticular processors could offer combined lents AND regular prints AND
faster turnaround, I'd always send for the lents, but at this time it
doesn't work that way.  :-(

I think lenticular camera makers are missing a good sales point by not
offering stereo pair prints. Their cameras make a good stereo camera, and
their 4 week turnaround is a big turn-off to the customer!

Others have pointed out that many film processors will be interested and
willing to help you out if you offer a friendly explanation of what you
need. If you are unsure about a particular source, try them out with a roll
that you shoot just for that purpose. That way, if they mess it up, you
haven't lost anything really important, but you get the chance to become
acquainted. There are probably a dozen different options available in most
larger communities.

Larry Berlin

Email: lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.sonic.net/~lberlin/
http://3dzine.simplenet.com/


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