Re: [photo-3d] projectors/2x2/R-format/stereo window

[Ron Beck <rbeck@xxxxxxxx>]

In 1980-something (85, 86?) our diveclub brought someone in to speak
about something.  What was memorable in my mind was the stereo
presentation of the Texas Big Bend country.  The presentation consisted
of four 2x2 projectors synched together with music and commentary.  The
net effect on me was two-fold.  First, I was facinated with the 3D
presentation and second, I asked how everything worked!

The presentor explained that he used two cameras side-by-side to take
the shots.  Then he put polarized filters on the projector and gave us
polarized glasses.  Well, needless to say, I was hooked.  A bit of
searching through various news groups somehow led me to this group and
to Reel-3D.  

My first "experimentation" into 3D came when I twinned my Konica FT1 and
my Rollei 35M cameras on a bar and took them to the local balloon
festival.  Four hours later, I had two sets of slides in my hot little
hands ready to view.  Of course, I had to wait for my hand-held 2x2x2
viewer from Reel-3D.  When it finally got there, I was blown away with
what I had produced.  Of course back then I didn't know about keeping
the cameras level or windows or toe-in/toe-out.  What I did know was
that about 12 of the original shots I took looked good when placed in
the viewer and I was a "stereo photographer" :-)

Now, looking back at those images, I would probably remount them and
correct any alignment problems I could (and trash the rest).  Still, it
was the 2x2x2 that got me hooked.

Of course, later there were dual disposables and the View Magic viewer. 
Then a loaner Realist which compelled me to purchase a Kodak stereo (it
has a level :-)).  And, an inexpensive VM personal camera "find" on eBay
has greatly expanded my stereo capabilities.

Still, if it hadn't been for the "develop and drop in" convenience of
2x2 slides, I probably wouldn't be writing this today.

Regards,
Ron