Pre-Photokina 2008: Fujifilm has announced the devlopment of the FinePix Real 3D System. Built around a newly-developed 3D processor and a twin-lens camera concept, the system features not only 3D capture, but 3D printing and display with a selection of new technologies. Nothing in the way of product as yet.

Press Release:

Newly Developed 3D Digital Real Image System
“FUJIFILM FinePix Real 3D System”

PHOTOKINA 2008, COLOGNE, GERMANY, September 23, 2008 FUJIFILM Corporation today announces a radical departure from current imaging systems with the development of a completely new, real image system (3D digital camera, 3D digital photo frame, 3D print) that marks a complete break from previous attempts to introduce this technology.

The arrival of digital photography over a decade ago opened up so many new ways of enjoying images, not only through capture, but also through manipulation, printing and display. Sales of digital cameras, and other devices like camera phones or webcams have raced ahead of what experts had expected because of the sheer scope of what has become possible in digital imaging. So many more consumers are enjoying photography through their cameras, PCs and prints than was the case in the heyday of film.

Fujifilm is determined to push those boundaries yet further, to produce devices which offer new ways to capture and process images, to expand consumer enjoyment of photography in ways that had hitherto only been imagined.

The company has a strong research program currently running to improve every aspect of capture and output. This is based on the broad concept of producing images as lifelike as possible, or more simply, ‘capturing an image exactly as your eye sees it.’ The ‘Real Photo Technology’ program is determined to improve key quality metrics for each generation of camera, like ‘high resolution with low noise,’ ‘expanded wide dynamic range,’ ‘intelligent scene recognition,’ ‘intelligent flash,’ ‘face detection’ etc, culminating in the announcement this September of a new type of sensor, Fujifilm Super CCD EXR, which will take image quality to levels hitherto undreamed of.

Previous 3D systems were hampered by poor image quality, and a cumbersome user experience, which often meant the need for special 3D glasses. 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

The same research team is determined to use these key technologies to open up a new market with 3D imaging. The new 3D image system features advanced image signal processing and micro-component technologies, and is so far able to demonstrate a camera, a viewing panel and a 3D printing system.

The Technology Behind the 3D Camera

	The 3D camera depends heavily on a newly developed chip called the ‘Real Photo Processor 3D’ which synchronizes the data passed to it by both sensors, and instantaneously blends the information into a single high quality image, for both stills and movies.

‘Built-in 3D auto’ determines optimal shooting conditions from both sensors. 3D auto means that as soon as the shutter is depressed, key metrics for the image, such as focus, zoom range, exposure, etc, are synchronized. The camera is also fitted with built-in synchro control, giving 0.001-second precision for shutter control and movie synchronization.

The processor uses the very latest technologies of high sensitivity and high resolution as the newest 2D processors. Special identical high quality compact Fujinon lenses have been developed for the 3D system to ensure complete conformity between the left and right images.

The LCD monitor system has also been completely revised. The camera is fitted with a 2.8 inch, 230,000 pixel- LCD. Thanks to a new engineering approach, screen flickering and image deterioration, thought to be difficult to overcome, are reduced to an absolute minimum to achieve beautiful, natural 3D images. The screen will also resolve 2D images as any other camera LCD.

Viewing with the FinePix Real 3D System

A new 8.4 inch, “FinePix Real 3D Photo Frame” with over 920,000 pixels has also been developed. The LCD monitor on the camera and the stand alone display panel share similar technologies in that the problem of screen flickering and image ghosting, which has beset earlier developments, has been solved, giving crisp, high resolution viewing of images in glorious 3D or standard 2D. 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 mechanism enables easy and high quality 3D viewing without special 3D glasses.

Printing with the FinePix Real 3D System

Using know-how gained through years of development of Fujifilm Frontier, Fujifilm have developed a 3D printing system using a fine pitch lenticular sheet giving highprecision, and fine quality multiple viewpoint 3D like never before.

Shooting with FinePix Real 3D System?FUTURE POSSIBILITIES)

FinePix REAL 3D SYSTEM is also paving the way for new possibilities in 2D photo enjoyment. At the heart of the system, is a new concept camera fitted with dual lenses. Each lens can capture stills or movies from a slightly different position, producing the basis of the 3D image. By combining new dual lenses System, A new function was achieved. For example, Image quality improvement function (Simultaneous Dual-Image Shooting: Multi- Expression). For users, this is just one possibility from a dual lens camera. Other fascinating possibilities include:

• Simultaneous Dual Image Shooting: (Telephoto and Wide Angle)
• Simultaneous Dual-Image Shooting (film modes)
• Ultra-Wide Panoramic Shots Shooting
• Movie-Still Simultaneous

Imaging for the Future. More Than You Imagined

New dimensions in imaging mean a wealth of new possibilities which will revolutionise the way consumers enjoy imaging. Fujifilm is determined to leverage it considerable technical resources to explore 3D in everyway possible, to produce products that expand the imaging market, while at the same time, give future generations of consumers an even richer imaging experience than was conceived at the dawn of the digital age.