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Lytro Ilum for 3D?

Started Aug 7, 2018 | Discussions
SeanU
SeanU Senior Member • Posts: 2,210
Lytro Ilum for 3D?

Hi everyone...

I currently have a Fuji W33D and I am looking into other interesting cameras. Has anyone tried the Lytro Ilum for 3D capture? It seems like the lens "separation" is 2.8"... a little less than the Fuji but not bad. I am curious about how many angles of view the camera can generate in one shot, and if the quality of the individual images is better than the Fuji jpegs. Thanks! - Sean

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Turbguy1
MOD Turbguy1 Senior Member • Posts: 1,467
Re: Lytro Ilum for 3D?

My understanding of these light field cameras is that the effective stereo separation cannot be greater than the maximum diameter of the effective aperture. That's much less that 2.8" (one view generated looking from one "side" of the aperture, and the other view from the other "side")...

Can I ask where you obtained that separation specification?

It should be capable of generating many intermediate views, which is great for lenticular printing.

I also believe the "resolution" of any stills is only on the order of 5 megapixels (even though the sensor has many more pixels), which is much lower the your W3. That's how light field cams "work".   Image quality is also not very well reviewed.

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SeanU
OP SeanU Senior Member • Posts: 2,210
Re: Lytro Ilum for 3D?

The source was here :

http://www.midwestlenticular.com/lenticular-output-from-the-lytro-illum/

I can't find much info from anywhere. I probably will try to track down some sample images and the Lytro software to see what i can extract from them.

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Turbguy1
MOD Turbguy1 Senior Member • Posts: 1,467
Re: Lytro Ilum for 3D?

I think that site is in error. The sensor size is 1/2" (6.4 x 4.8 mm), and the lens is a 135 equivalent 30-250 mm.  That implies an actual focal length range of about 1/5 of stated, on the order of 6-50 mm.  At f2, that is a max aperture size of 25mm.  THAT'S the real "interaxial" separation (IMO).

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winecrab Regular Member • Posts: 102
Re: Lytro Ilum for 3D?

Lenticular 3D photography is my main interest. I own different set ups (slide bar, multi cam,   Film and digital 3D cameras) and a couple of months ago I stumbled upon an article on here talking about all the new features they added to the desktop software including lenticular printing and it peeked my interest. This was just after the Lytro company got bought and disappeared overnight. I downloaded the software and downloaded some Lytro illum samples and it let me make the lenticular print without needing any other software. I printed an 8x10, put it in a 60lpi frame and got a nice result. I also printed some very nice anaglyphs. Besides 3D, you can also do motion (panning and zooming) an some other effects.

I also got good results using Triaxes Stereo Tracer software. You import the tiff along with the generated depth map and the software creates the frames in between.

TLDR: If you’re interested in making lenticular prints, buy a Lytro Illum while you still can. This camera is going to keep going up in price and will become rare so it’s also a good investment if you can get one for a good price. I also have a mint Lytro that I bought for $35.

A month ago there were almost 200 Lytro cameras listed on eBay and the illum was way cheaper. Now there are only a handful of illums.

SeanU
OP SeanU Senior Member • Posts: 2,210
Re: Lytro Ilum for 3D?

Hey Winecrab,

I had downloaded the app, and played around with the 3d image output. I have a viewsonic 3d photo frame, and was able to take some sample images online, and create mpo files. The images actually displayed very nicely on the frame, better than most of my fuji w33d photos. Based on the limited image separation, it might work nicely for close up 3d work. i've been watching ebay as well, and lost a few bids.

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winecrab Regular Member • Posts: 102
Re: Lytro Ilum for 3D?

Great to hear you’ve gotten good result! I woul try to snag an illum, there are only a handful left on eBay. Try to get one as new as possible since the camera will keep going up in price since it’s a one of a kind camera that’s worth more than the current prices. I’m planning on buying an extra illum. If you need any information or help, feel free to message me.

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