[photo-3d] LEEP camera

[Ralph Johnston/Linda Sherman <copley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe that Ed Shaw is currently holding Paul Wing's LEEP camera.  He
was able to repair it so it takes photos again.  I have looked at the
slides a number of times in the LEEP viewer and am always awestruck by the
immersion.  You can't turn your eyes away from the image, it is that large
and close to you.  Don't try to look at the slides with another viewer,
they look highly distorted at the edges.  They are not even rectangular.
This is corrected by the viewer optics.

Neither Ed or Paul are photo-3d members, but you can contact Ed at
ebshaw@xxxxxxx  Paul doesn't do e-mail.

I heard a rumor that some spare parts were obtained from the principals
which might be enough to make one or more cameras.

I have been experimenting with twin Zenitar fisheyes on a 13" stereo base.
These are 16mm f/2.8 in K-mount.  As long as you keep everything 15' away
or more the images are incredible, but not up to the LEEP.  Another viewer
is needed with more magnification.  I will post one of these slides soon.
I have a few of buildings that show off the 180deg field of view.  You can
go right up to a row of pillars and get them all in.  One problem is
keeping everything 15' away when you have a 180deg field that is picking up
your shoes!  Another is that the Zenitars have to be matched for focal
length.  The price is right, however, at $169.

Regards -Ralph
>________________________________________________________________________
>
>Message: 3
>   Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 00:08:29 -0500
>   From: boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: LEEP camera / architectural 3d
>
>For all LEEP or MF stereo congnoscenti:
>
>Paul Wing has a LEEP, right?  Anyone else?  I am getting involved in a
>project for the (visual, at least) preservation of some architectural
>sites.  The LEEP is supposedly nearly a VR type imaging system, super wide
>angle and immersive and all that...  But I also recall some talk that the
>LEEP does not have good image quality.  (Blast that I missed my chance at
>looking at Paul Wing's in Mesa).
>
>Would the LEEP be suitable for architectural imaging?  I am thinking of
>interiors - where wide angle is practically a necessity.  Might there be a
>LEEP camera and viewer system available for my use anywhere?  Can the LEEP
>viewer be reconstructed for permanent or semi-permanent public installation
>(such as in a museum) once film is shot?  What is the film format of the
>LEEP.
>
>Otherwise I am thinking of just plain old medium format transparencies for
>this project - shift/tilt capability would be useful, I think.  Has anyone
>shot with shift/tilt in stereo and what pitfalls await me there?  Does 3d
>viewing make shift/tilted images look even more strange than they already
>do flat?
>
>Installation/display of imagery would be either large format anaglyph
>print, StereoJet print, transparency projection, optical transparency
>viewers, or a combination of these.
>
>Any advice is greatly appreciated.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Boris
>
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