P3D Re: Hummingbird-type shots

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Keith Wolfson wrote:
> 
> If one was using a twin-rig setup to capture high-speed 3D images such as
> that of a hummingbird in flight, what type of cameras would you suggest?  I
> assume they would need to be electronically linked and have extraordinarily
> precise timing to simultaneoulsy capture the exact split-second shot.

Paul Milligan has a hummingbird shot currently circulating in
G-5.  (SSA Gamma circuit, box 5.)  He included a separate stereo
photo of the rig he used to take the picture.  Here is what he
wrote about his setup:

     ...a device that incorporates a semi-permeable mirror,
     an optical mirror, two Minolta X700 cameras, two 100mm
     Minolta macro lenses, and a solenoid that closes the
     shutter releases of both cameras simultaneously.  All
     are precision aligned in the anodized black aluminum
     box.  The upper camera is mounted on a platform that
     glides on two steel rails and can be adjusted for any
     desired stereo base from 0 to 70mm.  There are 4 Vivitar
     283 electronic flashes fixed to this steel angle iron
     frame and individually aligned.  There are two more
     vivitars on a tripod on the other side of the dual
     Minolta stereo device (The black box), that are triggered
     by a photo-electric slave device when the other 4 flashes
     fire.  All 6 flashes are fitted with modules that allow
     them to have a flash duration of 1/16,000th of a second.
     All are powered by lead acid batteries, on the ground,
     that will last several days.  The apertures are set at
     f/22.  A flash meter is used to position the flashes.
     An electric cable runs from the solonoid into the cabin,
     where I sit before a window, with a push button in my
     hand.  When a hummingbird appears, I push the button.
     There is more to it than this, but I am running out of
     space.  Anyway, the device will stop the wings of a
     flying hummingbird dead still, so you can count the
     feathers.

Franklin Flocks, also in Gamma circuit, mentions on the
comment sheet that he does high speed photos of water
balloons, milk drops, and light bulb smashes.  So there
are folks out there doing what you ask about!  Perhaps
some on this list can provide more details.

Sure makes for some fascinating stereo photos!

Paul Talbot


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