Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1 digital camera review

Comments

• I've been using a W1 for almost a month now, and your review is about the most balanced that I've seen.
  
  As a long term dedicated 3D shooter, this camera is actually VERY compact - when you compare it with the alternatives for 3D. Of course 2D cameras are smaller - but few are half the size of the W1!
  
  In terms of image quality, it's OK - it was never intended to compety with top end DSLR cameras, but the images are more than good enough for all practical purposes. I've even made film slides from them and they're every bit as good as conventional film dupes, if not quite up to the standard of a top end film camera.
  
  I'm pleased that you mentioned both StereoPhoto Maker and StereoMovie Maker - these are great applications and I was lucky enough to be able to meet with the author at the ISU Congress in Austria earlier this month, but the software supplied with the camera does have the facility to extract the two jpg files from the MPO wrapper.
  
  The screen, unfortunately, doesn't use the same directional light technology as the camera and is therefore a little harder to use - but the results are impressive if you get into just the right position. I understand from one of the Japanese engineers is because they decided that the screen needed to be able to be viewed by more than one person at a time (there are actually three viewing positions) and the camera screen is strictly one at a time, but doesn't require the viewer to be exactly at the right distance. I suggested they introduce a dual system with both systems available and he seemed to be seriously considering it...
  
  So, when you compare the price to the cost of two equivalent compacts and add the cost of mounting them together and synchronising them the Fuji W1 doesn't seem at all expensive.
  
  And it's really good to be able to have my stereo camera on my belt at all times!
  
  Oh, and if people want to see the camera "in person" I'll have mine at the meeting of The Stereoscopic Society (www.stereoscopicsociety.org.uk) in London on 17th October! :) Posted by Bob Aldridge, UK
• I am traveling in Tokyo, and just played with this camera and the monitor at Bic Camera (one of the larger Tokyo Camera stores) and I find the camera and monitor just great! The video's really do jump out at you, though the 8" monitor is a little small. The system reminds me a little of the DIDIK 3D tv experimental tv systems of the late 1970's which also used lenticular screens in front of monitors and a two lens configuration being recorded on some large format video tape of the time. The Fuji 3D camera is selling for list price here, which is about $1100 for the two together. Posted by Jas Paris, Japan
• I ordered a camera on-line from Japan in early September. It came like a rocket within 3 days to Switzerland, and I have been trying it for about four exciting weeks. I didn't buy the 8-inch display, but have relied on the stereomaker software.
  
  For someone who has used celluloid for stereoscopic photography for many years, and one of the clunky 'two digital cameras on an aluminium crossbar' set ups, this is an absolute dream. There are failings, but the gains are so great that they can be forgiven. You can whip it out, and shoot and shoot to your hearts content, and you do not get weird looks or questions from everyone around you. As is often the case, you can't see the rear screen when the sun is bright, but you can live with this.
  
  There are certainly menu and control things that can be improved, and stereo may eventually be all too fiddly for the non enthusiast, but overall this is a giant leap for stereokind. Posted by David Wood, Switzerland
• This was a really good, detailed, unbiased review. Well done, Chris. I've bookmarked it for others to find.
  
  Guy,
  http://www.3dtvreviewer.co.uk/
  Posted by 3DTV Guy, UK