3D vision seems to come and go

I've noticed over the years the 3D vision in the entertainment world has it's moments but they don't last for long. First there was 3D movies using coloured glasses, then later there was 3D blue ray players attached to a 3D TV, this has died out as it seems that people don't want to wear glasses and extra glasses for family members etc are expensive. Now I find that 3D at the movies is starting to die out even when wearing non-coloured glasses which is an improvement.

I was talking to one of the movie theater staff and he says they show the 3D version for one week and then show the 2D version for the rest of the time. Again people don't like wearing glasses and some movies are poorly done in 3D.

I'm still hoping that one day we will have 3D vision without wearing glasses, maybe a screen that has several layers and you can see thru the first or second layer to see the background in the final screen layer.

VR headsets seems to be gaining some interest but it's only Playstation that is supporting the VR headset apart from VR headsets for Smartphones.

It would be nice if they brought back a electronic version of the old 3D slide viewer. I can't remember the name but you insert a round disc that has photos on it and hold the viewer up to your eyes. They were popular in the 1960's.

Comments are welcome.

Brian

That was the View-Master.

Which is just a version of a Stereoscope.

Wikipedia - Stereoscope

Holmes Stereoscope

I've noticed over the years the 3D vision in the entertainment world has it's moments but they don't last for long.

Guess it depends upon what you mean by "last for long".  Stereoscopic 3D (s3D) imaging is as old as photography itself, and there was a time that 3D stereoscope, as seen in Sailor Blue's were very popular and found in the homes of the middle class for many years.  Here is a brief history of s3D photography.

Stereoscopic capture has never been much of an issue.

Stereoscopic media VIEWING has been the "stumbling block" since it's inception.

I also suspect there is some variation in stereopsis perception in the general population that works against the popularity of stereoscopic viewing.  IMO, only that fraction of the population with "great" stereopsis perception (that would be "us") are truly drawn to the medium.

There are interesting specialized markets for virtual reality applications. This one seems noteworthy: https://www.rendever.com

I still have a view master but ?I don't think there is any easy way to create those round discs.

Brian

Bill Costa wrote:

I've noticed over the years the 3D vision in the entertainment world has it's moments but they don't last for long.

Guess it depends upon what you mean by "last for long". Stereoscopic 3D (s3D) imaging is as old as photography itself, and there was a time that 3D stereoscope, as seen in Sailor Blue's were very popular and found in the homes of the middle class for many years. Here is a brief history of s3D photography.

What I mean is that it becomes popular in peaks as no sooner it's popular than it dies. The biggest break-thru will be to watch 3D on a screen without any glasses

Brian

BillAngel wrote:

There are interesting specialized markets for virtual reality applications. This one seems noteworthy: https://www.rendever.com

The only problem with a VR headset is that you have to keep moving your head and to see behind you then you need to be standing to turn around.

VR movies are not likely as you might be looking in the wrong direction and miss some of the important action.

I once watched a demo of VR video where I was in a small boat and passed by another boat in the water. I didn't need to turn my head (maybe slightly). I enjoyed that type of VR stereo.

It would be great if they mounted two cameras on a car and drive down a popular street, maybe in New York City then created a 3D video from the result.

Watching the world in 3D video without leaving your arm chair to me would be popular rather than VR games.

Brian

Turbguy1 wrote:

Stereoscopic capture has never been much of an issue.

Stereoscopic media VIEWING has been the "stumbling block" since it's inception.

I also suspect there is some variation in stereopsis perception in the general population that works against the popularity of stereoscopic viewing. IMO, only that fraction of the population with "great" stereopsis perception (that would be "us") are truly drawn to the medium.

I don't think they will ever replace what our eyes see in the real world with 3D devices.
Even with one eye closed the brain is able to indicate which objects are closer.

Brian

...wait for it...

THE HOLODECK!

(mankind's last great invention)...

http://www.lcarscom.net/holodeck.htm

Brisn5757 wrote:

I don't think they will ever replace what our eyes see in the real world with 3D devices.
Even with one eye closed the brain is able to indicate which objects are closer.

Brian

True. Unless the "scene" is entirely computer-generated, even wide field VR devices will not be able to convey what we stereoscopically see unless we hold our horizontal line of vision parallel to the capture device's vision (unless there are large aperture light field cameras used).

Just tilting you head from horizontal will require the device to have access to HUGE (REALLY HUGE) amounts of data to maintain true stereoscopic viewing...

I still have a view master but ?I don't think there is any easy way to create those round discs.

Well back in the 50's you could create your own ViewMaster reels using 35mm film, a ViewMaster camera , and empty reels. Today there is a digital process that allows the automatic creation of ViewMaster reels that are made from a single piece of transparency material. If you Google "custom viewmaster reel" you'll find lots of hits. I personally know the two gentlemen that provide these services:

https://studio3d.com/custom-viewmaster.htm

https://image3d.com/

Of course if you are really interested in stereoscopic photography, both past and present, you should go to one of the yearly conventions.  Here's what happened at last year's convention . Next year's convention (2019) will also be in Ohio.  If you are seriously interested in s3D, there is no better place to experience world-class 3D images and learn from experts in the field.

. The biggest break-thru will be to watch 3D on a screen without any glasses

Autostereoscopic displays already exist and glasses-free 3D TVs have been demonstrated.  I even have a glasses-free tablet and a couple of glasses-free smart phones.  And the Fuji W1 and W3 s3D cameras both have glasses-free displays. The technology is still not that great, no where near the viewing experience of a really good HMD.

I don't think they will ever replace what our eyes see in the real world with 3D devices.
Even with one eye closed the brain is able to indicate which objects are closer.

Well, not really.  There a number of interesting optical illusions that work only when you can restrict the viewer to using just one eye.  The Ames Room is one of the most famous examples.

Turbguy1 wrote:

...wait for it...

THE HOLODECK!

(mankind's last great invention)...

http://www.lcarscom.net/holodeck.htm

With one of these devices I've never need to leave the house.

Talking of inventions, one day they might invent the computer hand.
You wear a special glove and your movements are transmitted via computer over the internet to another computer that can control a grove connected to the other computer. So you could sign a document across the world by wearing the glove.

Brian

Bill Costa wrote:

I still have a view master but ?I don't think there is any easy way to create those round discs.

Well back in the 50's you could create your own ViewMaster reels using 35mm film, a ViewMaster camera , and empty reels. Today there is a digital process that allows the automatic creation of ViewMaster reels that are made from a single piece of transparency material. If you Google "custom viewmaster reel" you'll find lots of hits. I personally know the two gentlemen that provide these services:

https://studio3d.com/custom-viewmaster.htm

https://image3d.com/

Of course if you are really interested in stereoscopic photography, both past and present, you should go to one of the yearly conventions. Here's what happened at last year's convention . Next year's convention (2019) will also be in Ohio. If you are seriously interested in s3D, there is no better place to experience world-class 3D images and learn from experts in the field.

Thanks for the links Bill.

I don't live in America but I've seen a few 3D Expos in the past my city.

The closest to 3D without glasses is laser photos on the wall, if only they could do this with video it would be great.

Brian

Bill Costa wrote:

. The biggest break-thru will be to watch 3D on a screen without any glasses

Autostereoscopic displays already exist and glasses-free 3D TVs have been demonstrated. I even have a glasses-free tablet and a couple of glasses-free smart phones. And the Fuji W1 and W3 s3D cameras both have glasses-free displays. The technology is still not that great, no where near the viewing experience of a really good HMD.

I remember that they tried to make the Nintendo 3ds 3D without wearing glasses but the results were not good. Yet another failed 3D attempt.
I feel that the other problem is cost. It's likely that the manufacture of a glass-less 3D TV is too expensive for the average customer.

Brian

Brisn5757 wrote:

With one of these devices I've never need to leave the house.

That's why it will be mankind's last great invention!

I don't live in America but I've seen a few 3D Expos in the past my city.

Then check out the International Stereoscopic Union which holds conventions all around the world.  You may be lucky have have one close to you someday, or use it as an excuse to travel. There have been several in Europe and Asia that I have wanted to attend but unfortunately the timing was bad.

You should also see if there may be a 3D group that regularly meets near you. It's the best way to get into 3D photography and learn what others are doing.  Just be warned, if the 3D bug bites, you'll find yourself walking around with a funny looking camera with two lenses, and people will be asking you what it is.