14 DAY TRIAL // The possibility of shooting, viewing and printing photos in 3 dimensions might have seemed like stuff taken out of SF movies up until now, but the truth of the matter is that this concept is a lot closer to reality than we think. And that's because Fujifilm has just introduced at Photokina a very innovative real image system (3D digital camera, 3D digital photo frame, 3D print) that might open the door to a whole new world of digital imaging.
3D viewing systems have been around for quite some time now, but they're far from perfect, adversely affecting the quality of the images. However, as the company claims, one major benefit of the FinePix Real 3D System is that for digital camera LCD playback, display and print, the consumer can enjoy the image just as it was originally seen with the naked eye.
Let's put aside for a second what this system can do and instead focus on the components that made it all possible. According to Fujifilm, the 3D camera is based on a newly developed chip called "RP (Real Photo) Processor 3D," which synchronises the data passed to it by both CCD sensors and instantaneously blends the information into a single image, for both stills and movies.
Additionally, the "Built-in 3D auto" determines optimal shooting conditions from both sensors, and the camera is also fitted with built-in synchro control, giving 0.001-second precision for shutter control and movie synchronization. Furthermore, special identical high quality compact Fujinon lenses have been developed for the 3D system to ensure complete conformity between the left and right images.
However, 3D photos can't be fully enjoyed without the compatible equipment, which is why the Japanese company has also developed a new 8.4-inch, "FinePix Real 3D Photo Frame" with over 920,000 pixels and incorporating new technologies that solve the problem of screen flickering and image ghosting. Furthermore, a newly developed "light direction control module" in the back of the LCD controls light to right eye and left eye direction. This light direction control system enables easy and high quality 3D viewing without special 3D glasses.
But why stop at just viewing images captured in 3D? Why not print them as well? Fujifilm took an extra step here and even developed a 3D printing system that uses a fine pitch lenticular sheet giving high-precision and fine quality multiple viewpoint 3D.
Of course, the FinePix Real 3D system is just in prototype stage for the time being, but we might actually see consumer-level 3D photo cameras in just 2 or 3 years' time, further proof that we're actually living the future as we speak.
