I'm presently using a pair of Nikon D200s linked via Nikon's own MC-23 connecting cord to produce my stereo pairs. Sync appears to be fantastic, with even flash photos, so far, coming out 100% of the time. The two cameras, mounted onto a Jasper Engineering
twin camera bar, make for quite a heavy set-up, though. Digital imaging has turned out to be great for me, I use both Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop as my "dark room," and I just placed an order for
ColorCode 3-D's software so I can produce amber-blue anaglyphs for display on hi-def plasma screens and as canvas giclee prints. I'm particularly excited about using ColorCode 3-D for canvas prints, as the amber-blue process actually creates fairly normal looking images when viewed without the 3-D glasses.
So what does all that have to do with the subject title -- Panoramic Stereo?
Well, as I said, my pair of Nikon D200s are quite heavy, so I've been visiting the
Horseman 3D page quite a bit, eyeing that compact all-in-one modern stereo camera with envy. Yes, I'd have to go back to film and scan my negatives or transparencies, but something about that camera has peaked my interest. The camera gets a negative mark for the small size and extreme closeness of its lenses, though, and its price tag is definitely a big negative. $5,000 is a hell of a lot of money for a slightly modified FujiFilm TX/Hasselblad XPan. And here's where I finally get to my subject...
For only slightly more than one Horseman 3D camera...I could buy a pair of Hasselblad XPan IIs coupled with standard 45mm lenses. I see that Hasselblad offers a wired remote for use with the XPan II. I'm hoping, therefore, that I could splice a pair of these remotes together exactly as I did with all of my Canon gear before going with Nikon Digital. Yes, I'd be back to two bodies mounted onto a camera bar, but the XPan II, at 970 grams counting the lens, isn't overly heavy. There's just something about the thought of producing a panoramic stereo image (from a 24mm x 65mm medium format quality negative) that really has me breathing heavy! ;-)
I'm thinking, by the way, that a pair of Hasselblad XPan IIs may actually be an investment of some sort. The camera is now discontinued, and I've yet to find anything but rave reviews from owners, so I expect this camera to end up as a highly sought after collector's item. It's scary that film use appears to be on the rapid decline, but I doubt it will disappear any time soon. Famous last words, eh?
Is anyone else out there shooting panoramic stereo? What are everyone else's thoughts on this subject?
Thanks!
Jay
