P3D Re: Hummingbirds

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

>I'd like to photograph hummingbirds in flight in stereo.  Any ideas
>other than spending the inherentance on a Macro Realist?

Hi Dave,

I'll tell you how the experts do it... They use twin SLRs with
longer lenses (say 135 or 200 mm lenses).  The cameras are positioned
and focused by the target area (feeding station of the hummingbirds).
In many cases the light comes from number of flash units positioned
appropriately and triggered electronically by the bird itself.

I am aware of the work by Paul Milligan and Bernard Stell in this area.
Both have published details in stereo publications like PSA Journal
or ISU's Stereoscopy.

I was fortunate to inherit Dr. Stell's equipment, twin Konica FT1's.
flash units, 135 mm lenses and associated electronics.  Some of the
most succesful pictures that Dr. Stell produced, include a single
hummingbird photographed multiple times en route to the feeding 
station.  The black background and use of flash plus good timing,
eliminated any overlapping and produced very good results.

Needless to say, the twin SLR with 135 mm lenses setup is not for
hummingbirds only but for all types of nature and sprots action
photography.  This highly versatile setup has been a favorite of
stereo photogaphers like the legendary Australian giant, Allan Griffin.

George Themelis


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