[photo-3d] 3D and 2D = natural view

[dhallstead@xxxxxxxx]

Hi Again,
   Here is a clearer version of an earlier posting.
I am currently using 4 ways of viewing stereo prints each of which 
has its pros and cons.

I find that the advantage of a Holmes type viewer is the close-up 
quality detail and, as Dr. T. points out the strength of the 3D 
illusion created by the sense of looking throug a window. The 
drawbacks are price, awkward to take along and the rather square 
format as oppposed to our natural "cinemascope" vision.

ViewMagic (which I just purchased and can certainly recommend) allows 
for a more natural wide view (as wide as you want actuall) and is 
more portable.  On the other hand I wouln't let my students or 
grandkids use it for fear of damaging the mirrors!
The image is perfectly clear since there are no lenses but the image 
is rather small compared to the nice magnification of the Holmes 
steroscope.

The lorgnette viewer formerlly sold by The Added Dimension and Reel 
3D and currently by American Paper Optics is an intersting 
compramise. It is a bargain at $2.95, is as portable as sunglasses 
and fairly easy to use.  It gives some magnification but not as much 
as the Holmes.
What I have found intersting is that one can take pictures in which 
the left half of the right shot and the right half of the left shot 
are the common image and mount them as one would a Holmes stereocard 
giving an image between 10 and 12 inches long. When viewed with the 
Lorgnette, one sees the central 3D image as well as a 2D on boh sides 
which is the equivalent of human vision.  The intersting thing is 
that because our focus in "real life" and in viewing such a card is 
on the center, the central 3D image blends seamlessly into the 2D 
peripheral vision.  The effect is that of holding a very  large 3D 
postcard.  One looses the window effect of the stereopticon but the 
gain is that the picture is as clear a representation of the original 
scene (and way we view the world) with more magnification than with 
the Viewmagic.There is no "illusion" of seeing a "real" scene but the 
effect is quite wonderfuwonderful compared to any 2D photo. Some folk 
I've shown it to have been vey impressed. The main catch is that the 
lorgnette lenses are, of course, not of the best quality.

I find that I enjoy all three and different friends have different 
favorites.
Wow! I'm new to this but I'm sure its far too long for a posting.

Doug from Winterpeg