Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: marcmccalmont on March 12, 2013, 06:11:21 am

Title: Binocular Question?
Post by: marcmccalmont on March 12, 2013, 06:11:21 am: Does anyone know what optical properties cause binocular objects to appear paper thin but separated 3 dimensionally?
Is it 2 optical paths separated by 6" or maybe naked eyes integrate distant images differently?
Thanks
Marc
Title: Re: Binocular Question?
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on March 12, 2013, 08:53:40 am: Quote from: marcmccalmont on March 12, 2013, 06:11:21 am
Does anyone know what optical properties cause binocular objects to appear paper thin but separated 3 dimensionally?
Is it 2 optical paths separated by 6" or maybe naked eyes integrate distant images differently?

Hi Marc,

I assume most of it is due to the increased stereo base, coupled with magnification, that gives that impression. The stereo base determines the stereoscopic effect, also allowing to see a bit behind the edges of objects, and the magnification creates a seemingly flattening of depth due to perspective.

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Binocular Question?
Post by: marcmccalmont on March 12, 2013, 12:04:08 pm: Quote from: BartvanderWolf on March 12, 2013, 08:53:40 am
Hi Marc,

I assume most of it is due to the increased stereo base, coupled with magnification, that gives that impression. The stereo base determines the stereoscopic effect, also allowing to see a bit behind the edges of objects, and the magnification creates a seemingly flattening of depth due to perspective.

Cheers,
Bart

Thanks Bart!
so I would guess the wider the spacing between the objectives the more pronounced the effect
Marc
Title: Re: Binocular Question?
Post by: Ken Bennett on March 12, 2013, 01:41:57 pm: Quote from: marcmccalmont on March 12, 2013, 12:04:08 pm
Thanks Bart!
so I would guess the wider the spacing between the objectives the more pronounced the effect
Marc

Yes, and this is why porro prism binoculars have a more "3D" effect than roof prism models. The objective lenses are much further apart.

Of course, this is how a rangefinder camera works. The farther apart the RF windows, the more accurate the focus (in general.) Take a look at antique military optical rangefinders to see the extreme end.
Title: Re: Binocular Question?
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 12, 2013, 01:58:14 pm: Quote from: marcmccalmont on March 12, 2013, 06:11:21 am
Does anyone know what optical properties cause binocular objects to appear paper thin but separated 3 dimensionally?

The same thing I perceive in 3D movies and TVs: like paper cutouts positioned in different planes. Never occurred to me, until you mentioned it, that I observed it earlier in binoculars too.
Title: Re: Binocular Question?
Post by: Ellis Vener on March 12, 2013, 02:22:15 pm: Quote from: k bennett on March 12, 2013, 01:41:57 pm
Take a look at antique military optical rangefinders to see the extreme end.

see http://tedbrink.webs.com/germany20.htm or http://www.ebay.com/itm/German-WWII-Artillery-5-Meter-Coastal-Rangefinder-/300584834425?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fc409579 as examples of this