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OVER 2 YOU 178 (27/04/04)
ANOTHER DIMENSION
I would like to try my hand at 3D photography. I know there used to be
3D film cameras but does anyone know if this is possible with digital cameras,
or is there a way of creating 3D images using just software?
Clive Dyer, via email
Excellent step-by-step instructions on how to produce 3D images using a
digital camera are on the NASA web site at: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/3d01.html.
All that is required is a celluloid red/blue viewer and simple digital editing
software. The process involves taking 2 photographs, moving the camera
laterally 3 inches between shots.
The images are processed to remove colour, the right image is then
tinted red, and the left image tinted cyan. The two images are superimposed and
a simple trick allows for precise registration. Surprisingly vivid results can
be achieved with little effort.
Richard Copsey, via email
The Pentax Optio 555 has a 3D shooting mode. The LCD screen displays a grid so that the first and second
pictures can be accurately positioned in relation to each other; easy to follow
instructions are contained in the operating manual. A folding 3D viewer is included with the camera kit. It is also possible to achieve the
stereoscopic effect, with a little practice, by slightly crossing one's eyes,
as when viewing those "Magic Eye" 3D pictures. Once you can do this
the viewer becomes unnecessary.
Giles J Chapman, via email
Stereoscopic photography (of still objects) is possible by taking two
successive shots, with the camera moved sideways about 80mm (the distance
between the eyes) between the exposures.
With a little practice the resultant prints can be viewed
stereoscopically without actually using an optical viewer.
Don Drew, via email
Have a look at www.Edimensional.com
who supply shutter glasses and associated software, which gives impressive
results. A search on stereography will open up access to lots of information on
3D photography.
Ted Jones
NOT A WIND-UP...
I've seen wind-up torches and radios and even a wind-up mobile phone
but has anyone come across a small wind-up laptop or pocket organiser? This
would be very useful later this year as I'm planning a backpacking trip to the
Himalayas, where mains sockets are likely to be few and far between.
Carl Philips, via email
It has been done and back in 1997 Baygen, a South African company
making wind-up torches demonstrated a clockwork mechanism for charging laptop
batteries. According to the news report (http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9708/06/safrica.computer/),
it was in negotiation with Apple, but as far as I am aware nothing ever came of
it. I suspect the problem was then, and is now, that laptops simply consume too
much power to make hand cranked power viable. My guess is that the best you
could hope for is an hours worth of power for an hour of winding. There are
other possibilities, lightweight folding solar cells, which can be mounted on a
rucksack could provide a useful source of power, providing they're exposed to
bright sunlight for several hours a day. Have a look at: http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/
and
http://www.ctsolar.com/
ExpeditionFoldingPanels.htm for more information. There are also some
promising developments on fuel-cell batteries that convert an alcohol like
methanol directly into electricity. Toshiba was supposed to be launching a fuel
cell battery, which uses refillable cartridges this year, apparently just 50cc
of alcohol (about two tots) will drive a laptop for up to 5 hours. There are
more details at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2847679.stm. Maybe
someone will come up with one that works on scotch or vodka, so you can keep
your laptop running on duty free booze!
Daniel Parish, via email
You might just be able to charge the batteries in a pocket PC or PDA
using a device called the Motorola Freecharge. This was developed by Freeplay,
the company that makes wind up torches and radios, based on the idea by the
inventor Trevor Bayliss. It's obviously meant for mobile phones but the
specifications at: http://www.freeplay.net/website/product/freechargespec.php,
suggest that it could easily be adapted for other purposes. According to the
web site 4 to 5 minutes of winding will keep a phone powered for several hours,
and a phone battery can be bought to full charge with around 35 minutes
winding.
Steve Marks, via email
Gadget suppliers 'Iwantoneofthose.com' sell a 'Wind-up Multi-charger'
that can be used to power mobile phones and presumably pocket organisers as
well. It's compact, fits easily in a pocket or handbag designed and amazingly
only costs £5.99
Jean Stewart, via email
CAN YOU HELP?
I would like to create a calendar of my wife's watercolour paintings.
We have PaintShop Pro 7, and I bought the Calendar Constructor program but I
cannot find out how I can get the two, to work together. I really would like to
print the calendar in A3 format, which of course I cannot do at home, but I
would like to try and build as much of it as I can on a CD before trying to
find a printer to finish it of for me. Has anyone managed to do this or can
pass on any helpful tips, advice or recommendations?
Irvine Young, via email
I have a large number of old black and white negatives, mostly 2 1/2 x
2 1/2 or 3 1/2 x 2 1/4, which, although they are mostly over 50 years old, are
in good condition and clearly defined.
They were taken before 35mm took over the world and I am trying to find
a photo scanner, which will convert them on to my PC. So far all enquiries have
led to 35mm only negative scanners, can anyone suggest a solution?
Tom Livingston
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