Loreo 3D lens in a cap – Pics and thoughts – P365 Nov01
I thought it was time I showed you the magical lens that takes those cool 3D images I’ve shown you in my blog over the last few months. This is the Loreo 3D lens in a cap.
Here is a recap of my thoughts on the lens from an earlier post:
I got this lens for my birthday last year, and it’s the most challenging lens I’ve ever used. The 3D effect one can get from it is very cool, but the lens has some severe limitations.
First, there is no apeture ring, just a flip switch to choose between f11 (dark) and f22 (VERY dark). That limits you to using the lens in very well lit conditions. Second, the only focus option available is a 3-way slider switch to choose between near, medium and far. It’s very hard to judge where the slider should be, and it’s difficult even to see through the viewfinder if the image is in focus. Finally, the minimum focus distance, even at f22, seems to be something like 1-2m away. That essentially stops me from taking 3d photos of anything smaller than our cat (ie: not very small), so no nice 3D close ups of flowers.
The main advantage of this lens, and it’s a huge one, is that both the left and right views are captured simultaneously. With a single lens 3D photo, the only way to achieve the effect is with the “cha-cha” method. Essentially you move side-to-side taking two photos of the same subject from slightly different angles, one after the other. This is only suitable for perfectly static objects, and eliminates even large trees with their leaves blowing in the wind.
I still need a lot more practice with this lens so I can know its limitations better and work within them. As it is now, I’m taking a lot of very blurry 3D photos.
Here’s a few example 3D images:
Neil,
Very Accurate review. I also have the Lens and experienced the limits. I do however come back to the fact that even with the limits it enables me to take lot of 3D pictures That would be impossible to do cha cha. so I like it overall. It is very handy for certain situations. For the sharpness problem, getting a feel for the right distances to get focus is key. Also for me I shoot 10 megapixels so I can crop and reduce the size which tightens up the focus. And then of course I use sharpen filters in Photoshop.
If you are like me, which your name implies:-) You may take the next steps…
A slider bar for close 1 camera shoots so you can go into tight macro shots. If you are patient a good tripod and method of lining it up can work as well.
Then of course one day you will yearn for 2 cameras working together in harmony. Once you get to that zen place this lens will sit in your camera bag for a while… But it will come out for some shots.
Have fun Neil
Neil
Thanks for providing these helpful comments. I’ve been experimenting with the Loreo MkII 35 mm film camera and basically finding out what it can do. Just joined flickr so will post some soon. I like the clarify of your shots so will be buying one of these for my DSLR. 3D is great fun!
My compliments to Neil for the well expressed comments on Loreo 3D.
It is as the two Neils express, somewhat limited, but it is a mighty
BEGINING, or and unstoppable trend! The new Loreo $179 25mm lens will be an f-8, with a 3 element formula. This will give a much wider field of view, and the light problems will be reduced. They are also offering a semi-macro 38mm lens that will focus down to
9 inches and will accept a secondary “close-up” lens for something approaching true macro. I really encourage, all SLR serious users to consider the new Loreos as part of their photo “TOOLKIT”. There will soon be selfmasked prismatic glasses for viwing Loreo orginated shots in full divided wide-screen, on the new 16×10 computer monitors. I recently saw 3D on a 30 imch mac in cross-view with the prototype glasses, and it was killer!
thanks, y’all, for the comments on the loreo. i, too, am excited about the macro 3D lens which loreo is about to release… i hope one of y’all will write something when it comes out.
i still don’t get how the loreo produces cross-eyed photos: don’t they come out parallel? are you cutting and pasting to post them as cross-eyed? why not post them L-R-L to give viewers the option?
have any of y’all used the pokescope? i find it works great for parallel shots…
Hi Neil,
I am an avid 3D enthusiast and amateur photog. I just received my 3D Lens In A Cap today. I snapped the thing onto my Digital Rebel and went outside where it was still sunny. I was kind of let down that even with my speed set a 100, areas still lit with sunlight, cap set at f11, and my first pictures came out almost black as midnight! Am I doing something wrong? I had that sinking feeling one gets when you realize that Sea Monkeys aren’t little swimming elves.