[photo-3d] Re: Base Calculator, Deering/Bercovitz math

["Tom Deering" <photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Abram Klooswyk wrote:

> Tom Deering again discussing with Dr.T.! Keep your fingers
> crossed. :-)

I didn't discuss anything with Mr. T.  I merely pointed out an error.

> And it seems that several 
> others believe that John Bercovitz invented stereobase math.

Nonsense.  The word "invented" was never used by anyone except in the sentence above.

> (I used a 1:1 macro setup with a full frame camera on slide 
> bar for a woodcarving with 10 mm depth, the MAOFD formula 
> arrived at a base of 36.3 mm, just enough to have NO common 
> image content in both pictures, but a great 24 x 72 mm MONO 
> panorama).

The formula "Length times Width" describes the area of a carpet.  The formula is not invalidated 
by a carpet layer who does not know how or when to apply it.

The "M" in MAOFD stands for "maximum".  Like a speed limit, you can drive any practical 
speed, so long as you don't exceed the limit.   The following quotes from the Stereo Math FAQ 
seem easy to understand: 

--"Although the formula can be used to calculate impractical or undesirable 
   scenarios, this does not invalidate the principals of geometry. "

--"MAOFD "is a limit, not a requirement. You may want to shoot with much 
   less depth for any number of valid creative or practical reasons."

--"Every photographer must make his or her own creative decisions. Shooting 
   essentially flat subjects at "maximum depth" produces a stretched effect 
   that may be undesirable."

Where does it say that a 1/3 inch deep wood carving must be photographed with maximal 
depth?   With a camera incapable of film plane movement?  It's an absurd example.

The Stereo Math FAQ is online so that I can avoid re-explaining these simple concepts every 
six months.  Apparently a pointless rehash of stereo math mis-interpretations gives pleasure to 
some.

I am willing to assist people who want to make better images, but I have no desire to get into a 
fruitless "war of the experts".

http://www.deering.org/math

Tom Deering