[photo-3d] Twin rigs

[Peter Davis <pd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In some ways, I think a twin rig is the ideal way to go.  You can use current model cameras, use commercial processing services, and, if one camera fails, you at least have a 2D backup.  I have a rig of twin Ricoh point-and-shoot cameras, but I'm thinking of upgrading to something with SLRs.  I want it to be lightweight, though, so I'm attracted to the Canon Rebel line for that reason.  I know a number of people have had success with the Rebel X and its descendents.  

However, twins have 3 potential problems, as I see it:

1) Difficult to get exact synchronization in all cases.

I believe people have bought two of the Canon remote shutter cables and spliced them together.

2) Difficult to get normal or near-normal lens separation.

To reduce the lens separation, it seems like turning one camera upside down would help.  Anyone know of a bar that could be made to work like this?  That would be very useful for twinning in general, I think.  Anyone know what kind of lens separation could be achieved this way?

Another option is to put the cameras base-to-base.  While I'd like the option of doing this quickly and easily in the field, I think I prefer a horizontal format for most of my shooting.

3) Potential horizontal and vertical alignment problems with commercially mounted slides.

As for the vertical alignment, I think this can be corrected by shaving down the bottom of one of the slide mounts.  Any suggestions on how to do this?

Another option is to remount the interesting pairs in 41x101 mounts, but that loses some of the commercial mounting advantage.


Thanks,

-pd
--------
                             Peter Davis
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