Re: [photo-3d] stereo decline

[Herbert C Maxey <bmaxey1@xxxxxxxx>]

>>At that time, we had three options:
>>mounting our own stereo slides, having
>>the lab mount them in cheesy cardboard mounts (usually incorrectly,
>>difficult to view or especially, project), or shooting non-stereo
>>conventional flat pictures with no other work required.  

I have to point out that when I started, Eastman Kodak was very much in
the Stereo business, and offered great stereo mounting. I never really
had any complaints with their processing and mounting. The offered the
service in a timely manner and usually without problems. Incidentally,
cardboard was used because of costs. When we mounted in Realist Masks, we
charged .50 cents per slide for the service. It was always assumed that
if one was to project stereo the slides would be mounted in masks and
glass.

There were other labs processing and mounting Stereo Images - Technicolor
comes to mind, but they were not as careful as Kodak. Most of my
Technicolor processed Kodachrome has not stood the test of time, but it
was cheap.

As for factors that contributed to the decline of Stereo, I think poor
quality 3D Movies had some impact. The motion picture was most people's
experiences with Stereo, and when projected incorrectly, it had a
negative impact.

To get more people interested in stereo, it will take a dedication on the
part of manufacturers. Inexpensive cameras, more exposure of stereo to
the masses and processing / mounting that is fast, reliable and
inexpensive. Recent projects like the SI 3D issue helps, but here again,
it is not Stereo at its best. I mean, it is Anaglyphic and really does
not show 3D as nice as a Viewer would, but for what it is, I think it
helps.

Stereo has always been a small part of the photographic marketplace and
amateur stereo photography has never compared in popularity to other
forms of photography. Even at its height in the '40's, '50's and to some
extent, the '60's. This I have never understood. After all, Stereo
Photography is the way we see, and it always wow's people when they view
Stereo. However, very few seem to be interested in taking Stereo.

Bob