Photokina 2010 - 3D IS EVERYWHERE!

Photokina 2010 was in part dedicated to 3D. There were great presentations by Fuji and

Panasonic. Scattered about the large hall complex there were other 3D developments to find

also. Some with better quality than others. But manufacturers seem to take 3D very seriously.

Unfortunately, there was no combination of 3D presentations in Photokina. Every

manufacturer is doing his own thing. So, we had to search for 3D. Fortunately there was

plenty to find.

It was expected that Fuji would come BIG to Photokina with 3D. The new W3 camera was

presented here, and the new 3D picture frame. The last I am personally still not a fan of. It

continues to shine and give ghost images. But I feel that goes for all 3D picture frames so far.

The camera, however, is certainly very beautiful. Fuji’s W3 3D camera has extensive manual

controls, which is a real plus over the first model, W1. The LCD screen has been improved

and the whole looks slicker. The camera was presented in conjunction with 3D TVs. The

camera can be connected directly via the HDMI port to a 3D tv. In addition, 3D images were

displayed on 3D laptops. There was an Acer laptop, with the polarization system and an Asus

laptop with 120Hz screen with shutter glasses. The latter gave absolutely the best picture, but

is an expensive solution. It can be expected that these laptops will become more affordable in

future.

People could have their 3D picture taken at Fuji’s, after wich it would be printed directly in

3D. Too bad that this is still not this easy in real life.

Below is a link to a 3D video presentation of the Fuji. This is made with the new 3D Aiptek

camcorder / camera, more about that later. Of course, this Aiptek is for sale at

www.3dworldshop.com . That also goes for the W3 Fuji camera.

Watch the movie here: (high quality, for faster computers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_6LpNm9LTI&fmt=22

Besides Fuji also Panasonic presented 3D in a big way at Photokina. Of course the 3D TVs

from Panasonic, but also the 3D camcorder for home use (around 1,400 euros), the

professional 3D camcorder (around 18,000 euros) and the 3D lens for a particular type of

Panasonic cameras. With the last it is a pity that the lens has such a small lens spacing. That

can never yield a lot of depth, except for portraits or other photography up close. The same

problem actually shows the 3D lens for the Panasonic camcorder for home use. Also here are

the lenses too close to eachother. Again, that will only give great result when filming up close.

The 3D camcorder was beautifully presented by ladies dancing in front of it. On 3D TV, the

public could directly see the output of the 3D camcorder. That looked actually very nice. It

was also smartly done by Panasonic, which had clearly instructed the ladies not to go too far

away from the 3d camera. The televisions could be watched through 3d glasses on special

stands; adjustable in height. Also smartly done, because wearing the 'uncomfortable' glasses is

still one of the things complained about most. At the Photokina no glasses on the nose, but

'floating' in front of your eyes. The camcorder and 3D TV’s provide quite a good result. The

effect was beautiful (filmed at close distance).

Here you can see a 3d movie of the Panasonic 3D presentation at Photokina. Again shot with

an Aiptek I2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE34S5cSXgE&fmt=22

Walking and talking around, I learned an interesting trick for 3D tv’s. Whoever thinks that the

glasses of the different 3D tv manufacturers are inexchangeable, is not quite right. The glasses

from Samsung and Panasonic can be exchanged, when you put them on your nose upside

down. The glasses are so-called active shutter glasses, a combination of shutter glasses and

polarized glasses. (I hope this is a technically accurate explanation.) The glasses from

Samsung and Panasonic are basically the same, only the polarizing filters are tilted. This trick

probably works with the 3D glasses from other brands also. You will look a little silly, with

the 3D glasses upside down on your nose!

Panasonic also showed a giant 3D TV of 150 inches! For now I am still saving for a house

with a wall on which to hang such a thing. Do you have the space for one? I will be pleased to

order one for you. I didn’t bother asking the price of the thing. I wanted to spare me the scare.

Below: see yourself in 3D on a Panasonic 3D tv.

Professional 3D film camera by Panasonic.

Panasonic camera with 3D lens.

Here is a link to a movie showing a Panasonic 3D tv. I shot the movie in 3D, through the

Panasonic 3D glasses. So you actually see 3D on the tv screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inw6-Se-e2w&fmt=22

Camcorder for consumers by Panasonic.

Looking for other 3D news on Photokina, I offcourse came across the new Aiptek camcorder

I2. With this little camcorder I shot the movies at Photokina. Altogether, very convenient and

easy to use. If you are looking for an easy way to put 3D movies on youtube, this Aiptek I2 is

ideal. And for owners of a 3D TV. You plug it into a TV easily, using the HDMI output.

Interested? You can order your own Aiptek I2 3D camcorder at www.3dworldshop.com

Here is a small movie of Aiptek 3D at Photokina. Filmed by an Aiptek!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqOU-rV5iu0&fmt=22

The firm 3Dinlife from China was present at Photokina also. They were already known from

a 3D picture frame and a 3D camera that was announced some time ago, but never appeared.

Now they have a new design that can apparently be ordered now. Preferably in very large

numbers. I looked at the camera a little bit. Frankly I could - with the best intentions - not

perceive any 3D depth on the LCD screen. The camera does not compare with the one from

Fuji. The low price for the 3Dinlife camera is still no good reason to get it. It DOES have

some nice colors though.

Unexpectedly I ran into the new 3D cameras by the company DXG from China. They showed

some camcorders and cameras in glass boxes. One looked amazingly similar to a View-

Master viewer and I personally thought that very nice. Even after much insistence I was not

allowed to hold them in my hands. Probably they were no more than an empty casing.

According to the Chinese lady, the camcorders will be available in December 2010, the

cameras in 2011. we can only wait… Here is a very short impression:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euBqx2R6dQE&fmt=22

Offcourse i also stopped by Samsung, but found just 1 3D television there. Nevertheless it

was nicely presented.

Clearly there is A LOT going on in 3D. It seems that the major manufacturers, with Fuji and

Panasonic in the lead, are making the way to the 3D future. Smaller manufacturers are trying

to mix in, but the quality varies. All in all a successful visit for me to Photokina.

To learn more about 3D photography, film, television and so on, visit the website of

www.3dworldshop.com

There you find the best 3D products for sale in the webshop. But you can also find different

services in the field of 3D content and 3D photography. We specialize in 3D!

The 3D images in this report were made with the Fuji camera W1. The 3D images are parallel

and they can be viewed in 3D with a Loreo Lite or Loreo Pixi viewer. Those found in our

webshop.

Questions? Do not hesitate to ask. Find our contact details on the website.

Ronald Schalekamp

www.3dworldshop.com

www.fotografie-in-3d.nl