[photo-3d] Re: suggested equipment for beginners

["Chuck Holzner" <cfholzner@xxxxxxxx>]

--- In photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxx, "Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxx> 
wrote:
> Chuck,
> 
> You are assuming that the average beginner in 
> stereo starts with slide film.  Why?
> 
I am not assuming anything.  I am sugesting that he start with slide 
film.  IMO slides are the best for color and resolution and they cost 
less then doing prints.  IME


> You are also asuming that the average beginner
> in stereo starts with a manual stereo camera.

No, I am suggesting that he start with a manual stereo camera.  A 
camera designed for stereo photography is the easiest way to get good 
results with stereo photography.  That is why stereo cameras were 
developed.

> 
> There are many average beginners in 2D that 
> start with print film and an automatic camera.
> That's exactly what the Loreo provides, making
> the entry to 3d easier for a large number of
> the population.

IME snap shooting with a P&S camera does not give me the feeling that 
I am doing anything worthwhile.  If the camera does it all, then why 
am I there?  I like making better pictures then can be done by the 
program in the P&S camera.  Making the decisions myself about shutter 
speed, F stop, DOF, and focus as well as framing is most of the fun 
of stereo shooting for me.  Automatic cameras take much of the fun 
out of it.  That is why I don't shoot my FED much.  A beginner should 
know what should be done to make good pictures and later, if he 
decides to go automatic, will know what auto functions to disable and 
when.

I gave my daughter a Loren and she liked it for a while but has now 
put it down and gone back to flaties.  It was easy to shot but the 
results weren't all that good and so it was a failure.  I had hoped 
she would have gone to a better stereo camera, I know others have.  

I now feel that you should start with a manual stereo camera good 
enough to produce quality photos and shoot and mount your own slides 
to get the full stereo experience.  I believe Seton Rochwite felt the 
same.  

Chuck