Photokina wrap-up II: Digital stereo at last?

Second in a series of post-Photokina reports. Read our complete Photokina coverage. One of the last bastions of film, stereo photography, now seems poised to give way to the digital onslaught. Looking like more of a late-stage pre-production model than a prototype, Fujifilm’s FinePix REAL 3D system was a center of intense interest at the big Fuji booth.



Photo: Fuji FinePix REAL 3D, the first 3D digital point-and-shoot, is slim and compact with built-in flash. Model shown was fully operational and seemed to work well, but we cannot show results here.

The compact two-lens, two CCD camera relies on a newly developed RP (Real Photo) Processor 3D to synchronize data passed to it by both sensors and instantaneously blend the information into a high quality 3D image for both stills and movies. The system also determines optimal shooting parameters from both sensors, including key image metrics such as focus and zoom range, and is said to provide .001 sec precision for shutter control and movie synchronization.

A newly developed 2.8-inch, 230,00 pixel LCD displays a convincing 3D image using a light direction control module in the back of the LCD to deliver the light to the right eye and left eye directions so stereo glasses are not needed. It can also be set for 2D viewing. An innovative 3D monitor was also on display—the 8.4-inch FinePix Real 3D Photo Frame with 920,000 pixel resolution.

The system is also capable of producing 3D lenticular flat prints that look similar to those made by the film-based Nimslo system, and ultra-wide panorama shooting, and simultaneous telephoto and wide-angle shooting are additional possibilities. Fujifilm expect to deliver the entire REAL 3D system sometime in 2009, but no prices or other specs were available at press time.

3D Under Glass: Here’s the Fuji FinePix REAL 3D and its companion REAL 3D Viewer, both labeled as "tentative designs."