ZCAM Stereo Rig - A video stereo graph

[sebben]

I am looking into putting together a cost effective stereo rig to shoot a video for an installation that will mimic the experience of viewing an old stereograph from the 1800s.

I’m thinking two genlocked zcam e2s with matching lenses on an arca-Swiss bar. Maybe with two synced focus motors from tilta for focus.

Has anyone done anything similar? Any pitfalls that I should be aware of? Thoughts and advice are welcome!

 

[puredrifting]

I am looking into putting together a cost effective stereo rig to shoot a video for an installation that will mimic the experience of viewing an old stereograph from the 1800s.

I’m thinking two genlocked zcam e2s with matching lenses on an arca-Swiss bar. Maybe with two synced focus motors from tilta for focus.

Has anyone done anything similar? Any pitfalls that I should be aware of? Thoughts and advice are welcome!

How will the images be viewed? How will you calculate and obtain proper interocular distance? If your interocular distance is not properly calculated,
any prolonged viewing past a a minute or two will give certain portion of your audience a headache or nausea.

 

[sebben]

It will be viewed in a custom stationary binocular like set up. Think of the old stereo graph viewers but a video version. I don't think anyone would be watching for more than a few minutes.



Since the cameras are mounted on a sliding rail I would use an online calculator to figure out how far apart the cameras should be based on the focus distance.

 

[puredrifting]

Would the binocular device be a simple optical device viewing a pair of video monitors or a single screen where you have composited the sterescopic image?
Make sure you shoot with correct interocular distance, that's the single most important issue.

I used to know a bit about 3D shooting when that was a thing but I don't know how that translates to your very unusual and specialized application.
Not sure if there are any stereo video experts or sources as there isn't very much demand for stereoscopic video? It would be an
interesting challenge to make it all work. Will it be displayed in a museum or ?

 

[sebben]

The viewer will be custom built. It will have two screens, one for each eye. These will be high end panels found in VR googles. This will be for a museum exhibition. Defiantly a cool project like you say!

From my research the correct interocular distance is as much as art as it is science.

It’s interesting how quickly the 3D fad disappeared owning how difficult and expensive it was to shoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjGT-dtHBcs

Does anyone have focal length suggestions? Are there any gotchas there?