Advice on Setting up a Stereo Camera

I have a lot of experience in photography, but am new to stereo imaging. I'd like the following in a stereo set up for occasional use:

- zoom lens with effective focal length of at least 24-60mm (35mm equiv.)

- be able to shoot two vertical images with lenses 3"-4" apart

- raw files and full manual exposure control

- total cost under $600

I don't think there's any existing stereo cameras or lenses that offer the focal lengths I need. The two D800s I own are too bulky to get closer than 5" apart. So I'm considering buying two used Sony Nex-5T cameras with 16-50mm (24-75mm effective) lens. These appear to offer the best image quality I can find for a compact $250 camera + lens. They don't appear to allow wired remote cords, so I'd likely get a Foto&Tech Infrared Wireless Remote. I'm assuming I can trigger two cameras at the same time with this, but haven't been able to verify it.

Can anyone confirm that any infrared remote can trigger two cameras at once?

I've read that these cameras still can't be perfectly synced. I'm just not sure how much the sync would be off and how much it would matter for what I'm doing. I'd have moving objects in maybe 20% in of my shots, either people walking or cars moving. I don't think I'd have any real close cars, they'd maybe be 30+ feet away, so I wouldn't consider it action shots. I don't plan to shoot any videos.

Should I be okay with this or could syncing be an issue?

I've read that you can sync Canon Powershot cameras more closely, though don't know how complicated it is. The ones I've found for around $250 seem to produce significantly lower image quality than the Sony, based on DxoMark. Admittedly, I may only print 8x10 anaglyphs and 4x7 stereo pairs with these, so camera quality may not matter so much, if syncing were a bigger issue. But it's possible I'd want to do much larger prints someday. I also haven't searched much to see which Canons might have the focal length and other specs I need.

I think I can mount the cameras side-by-side in a vertical orientation using a dual-camera bracket and two L-brackets like these:

https://smile.amazon.com/LimoStudio-Bracket-Aluminum-Universal-Speedlite/dp/B01HH5NB2Y

https://smile.amazon.com/Desmond-Bracket-Cameras-Stereoscopic-Photography/dp/B00BCSTGUE/

Can anyone confirm that these brackets would work?

Thanks!

Search this forum and you will find a number of posts about using two Canon cameras and how to simultaneously trigger them. There are also a number of posts on using two GoPro cameras. For most uses it is simply easier and better to just buy a Fuji Real 3D W3 camera.

If you want to use a camera with a higher resolution sensor or variable focal lenghts there is the cha-cha method where you take one photo then sway to the side and take the second image. StereoPhoto Maker does an excellent job of aligning the two images. With practice you can sway more for distant objects and less for closeups.

StereoPhoto Maker (English)

In order to be able to use my Canon 7D for stereo I bought a cheap slide, kept the slide clamp and removed the worm gear mechanism. A Bulldog type clip is positioned at the desired stereo base (see images below). This allows me to release the clamp, slide the rail quickly, then reclamp it. This is much faster than using the worm gear to move the slide.

eBay - 2 way Macro Shot Focusing Focus Rail Slider for CANON NIKON SONY Camera D-SLR

I mounted a Stroboframe 300-115 Vertaflip on the modified rail so I can use my Canon 7D either in horizontal or vertical orientation while keeping the lens centered over the tripod screw in the slide.

Amazon.com: Stroboframe 300-115 Vertaflip PHD Camera Platform (Black): Camera & Photo

The desired stereo base depends on focal length and subject distance.

Lens Interaxial Distance: 3D and Stereo Photography Forum: Digital Photography Review

Stereo Base Mathematics

BaseCalc: A free pocket-sized stereo base calculator - www.stereoscopie.fr

There is an android application called "BaseCalc" that I keep on my phone that can give you the stereo base in either metric or English measurements.

BaseCalc - Android Apps on Google Play

This rig works well for inanimate non-moving subjects but not for any subject that moves.

With moving subject shutter synchronization would be critical so I understand your quandary. Unfortunately I don't have any information about syncing two cameras other than having seen that it is possible with two Canon point and shoot cameras or GoPro cameras.

This has been a topic in this DPReview Forum several times. Google "twin cameras for stereo" and you will find a link to several DPR discussions, including this one.

Here is one article about using two SLRs or smaller cameras with sync ports.

Make and Use a Twin Digital SLR Camera System for 3-D Stereo Photography and More

Best of luck with your project.

I have a couple of Nikon 1 V1 cameras with 10-30 mm lens ( 27- 81mm , 35mm equiv )

They do not have wired remote, so I have made a infra-red remote splitter so that an infra-red control unit can trigger both cameras. I mainly use this for starting two cameras into movie record mode. For good sync for still photos, the infra-red remote can have problems. For example I have found the cameras are best to be in manual focus mode  and  manual exposure mode. When a remote trigger signal is applied to two cameras in auto mode , one camera may decide to do an addition focus check or additional light reading check before taking the photo and the other camera may decide everything is fine and immediately take the photo. This results in poor sync.

I would advice a wired remote solution if you are going to use two cameras.

Another thing to consider is the focal length of the lens of the two cameras need to be set to the same position. Power zoom lens may make this tricky.

Another thing the white balance needs checking ( use a white card ). It is amazing how much the colours can differ between two cameras.