3-D may be making a comeback. The Fujifilm W1 is the world’s first camera that allows you to view 3D images, and it does so without the need to wear any special 3D glasses. The Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W1 uses two lenses and two 10 megapixel sensors to achieve a stereoscopic 3D effect, simultaneously taking and layering together two 2D images into a single 3D composite, both in still and video……and with stereo sound.
With twin 3x optical zoom lenses, built-in flash unit and stereo microphones, the W1’s 35-105mm effective focal range is unremarkable on a modern 2D compact camera, but is something of a significant achievement in 3D photography where it’s difficult enough to produce a 3D image from a fixed focal length lens. There’s an infra-red port that allows you to send or receive images (but not movies) to another Fujifilm camera or device with high-speed IR capability.
Fujifilm’s new FinePix Real 3D System also includes an 8-inch 3D picture viewer, called the FinePix Real 3D V1, and a 3D printing service (direct from Fujifilm). It’s important to note that you can only view the images in 3D in one of these three ways – on the camera’s 3D/2D LCD screen, the viewer or as a lenticular print – otherwise they appear as regular 2D images. The Fujifilm W1 can also be used as a regular 2D camera at any time, with the Dual Capture shooting mode letting you simultaneously take two shots at different settings. I can tell you that the 3D images are mind-boggling. It really is a new experience viewing images in three dimensions.
Fujifilm have taken advantage of the W1’s dual-lenses to include some cool 2D shooting modes. There are 3 different options in the Advanced 2D Mode. The Tele/Wide two-shot function takes the second shot after taking the first shot, rather than both at the same time, and saves a single double-exposure composite image. 2-Color mode takes two shots at the same time with different colour settings, for example Chrome and Black & White, and 2-sensitivity takes two shots at the same time with different ISO sensitivities, useful for achieving different effects in panned shots or for night scenes.
Once you have captured a photo, the Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W1 has a good range of options when it comes to playing, reviewing and managing your images. You can instantly scroll through the images that you have taken, view thumbnails (up to 100 on the same screen!), zoom in and out, sort images by date, view slideshows with lots of different settings, delete, protect, trim, and rotate an image. You can also add a sound clip to an image, remove red-eye, resize for blogging, and set the print order and the transfer order. The Display button toggles detailed settings information about each picture on and off, such as the ISO rating and aperture/shutter speed.
“The FinePix REAL 3D system is unlike any other digital imaging product on the market today, and the first real, complete solution for 3D digital photography, putting Fujifilm at the forefront of imaging technology,” said Go Miyazaki, division president, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc. “With the FinePix REAL 3D system, Fujifilm is offering users a totally new experience in both still pictures and movies to capture precious moments just as their eyes see them.”
The Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D W1 is the first generation of what is a rather brave step into the world of 3D photography, with the added bonus of a perfectly functional 2D camera. The product’s usefulness is admittedly limited – the 3D footage can only be seen on the camera’s 2.8″ LCD or on an 8″ “3D Viewer” accessory, both of which can display 3D without glasses- but it could
portend a future where consumers can shoot 3D footage as easily as they shoot video with a Flip cam or an iPhone today.
Fujifilm has announced the US price and availability of its 3D imaging system including the W1 digital camera, V1 picture viewer and 3D prints. The W1, is now available for a retail price of US $599.95 and the digital viewer is available for US $499.95. 3D prints are available through the company’s printing website SeeHere.com for approximately US $6.99 per print. (www.fujifilm.com)
