RE: [photo-3d] QVC selling stereoviewer

["Stuart Stiles" <sstiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Perhaps a quote from the introductory text of "Paris in 3D" is appropriate
here:

	Writing of the variety of techniques for producing 3D that appeared in the
nineteenth century, "In the end, the success of these different processes
depended less on the quality of the three-dimensional effect created than on
the cost of production."

	Lower costs allow a process to introduce stereo imagery to a wider
audience. Perhaps some of the wider audience members will really get curious
about discovering better viewing techniques once they are aware of the
possibility of stereoviewing.  Most of the students to whom I have addressed
the question, "Where have you first seen 3D images?" tell me that they saw
them through  View-Master toys (plastic lens and all!) My next step was to
have them look at antique stereo cards in an old Underhill, or Keystone
stereoscope.  Those who wanted to do more were, then, taught to prepare
their own stereo photographs, which they mounted for viewing with the
stereoscope. Very few were actually taught to free view the mounted photos.

	It is truly worthy of "falling off your chair" when you see actual
stereoscopes being sold to the general public! Although our enthusiasm
belies our numbers, we realize how few people really have any idea of what
it is that stereoscopic enthusiasts get so excited about. It is quite
enjoyable for me to witness another person's pleasure at seeing the depth
experience produced by stereoscopy. Maybe we can change the situation, so
that it will come as no surprise to see stereoscopes in the marketplace.

	Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Burns [mailto:billb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2000 10:37 PM
To: photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [photo-3d] QVC selling stereoviewer


jastuart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> I about fell off my chair
> when on QVC, the two salespeople had Holmes viewers up to their eyes
> looking at stereoviews.

Here's a more direct link to the product page:
http://www.qvc.com/scripts/detail.dll?item=E6573

Interesting to see it has optical lenses (!) and is made with wood
solids.  I wonder how good the lenses are - made in China, surely
plastic?

Bill
--
Bill Burns
Long Island   NY   USA
mailto:billb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx