Stereoscopic Technologies Precision, Reliability and Optimal Usability

About

Stereoscopic Technologies Precision, Reliability and optimal Usability. These are the cornerstones of Stereoscopic Technologies GmbH and the distinguishing mark of any STEREOTEC product. Due to his overwhelming success in the field of 3D technology and the ever-increasing demand, Dipl.-Ing. Florian Maier completely devoted his company to 3D in 2007. His major aim was the development of precise and reliable 3D technology for the best 3D experience, since these tools were not available in those days. He was moti- vated by his own desire for better 3D tools, tools he wanted to share with fellow stereographers.

The first STEREOTEC Side-by-Side rig was already equipped with several STEREOTEC trademark features which incorporated our aim for reliable, high-quality stereoscopic equipment which gives the stereographer complete control of all stereo parameters. This could only be achieved through: A scrupulous construction process to assure accurate manual or motorized operation of the 3D rigs; sturdy and carefully crafted components to guarantee smooth operation even under extreme conditions; digital counter displays to ensure the highest possible precision and reproducibility of each stereo setting; the use of durable materials which assure the longevity of a STEREOTEC rig “Made in Germany”.

All of this will guarantee that our products will be a lasting asset for its users and owners. Besides being headed by a passionate stereographer and engineer Stereoscopic Technologies is in direct contact with stereographers, filmmakers and event managers from all over the world through the workshops we are organizing, introducing them to 3D technology. Additionally we offer 2D filmmakers full-service 3D consultation and support, adding that extra dimensi- on to their work with our products, experience and manpower.

As a company we continuously incorporate the wishes and suggestions of our customers and clients into our products, in order to be able to stay true to Florian Maier’s aim: Precision, Reliability and optimal Usability.

www.stereotec.com about Dipl.-Ing. Florian Maier More than an engineer, Dipl.-Ing. Florian Maier, founder and CEO of Stere- oscopic Technologies GmbH, is a stereographer and 3D pioneer himself. He had already been doing research on 3D, when he founded his company in 1997 and he has been working in that field ever since. His first stereo rigs were born from his own passion for 3D and the fact that there were no reasonable tools available yet. After studying and graduating in engineering at the Institute for Media Technology of the TU Ilmenau, as well as attending classes at Munich Film School, he turned his passion for 3D technology into his profession. Having already earned a number of prizes, honours and scholarships with his in-depth research, as well as preparing his dissertation on 3D workflows, he bridged the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application of 3D technology. He gives speeches on conferences and holds workshops for stereo 3D cinematographers in all parts of the world. As an ardent stereographer himself he is convinced that a stereographer should not waste his energy worrying about equipment, but rather focus on the creative decisions. His experiences as a stereographer and 3D consultant as well as the dialogue with filmmakers from all over the world led him towards the development of a line of novel rigs which is now available from his very own company, Stereoscopic Technologies GmbH. These rigs and products are the STEREOTEC line: 3D rigs which combine technological precision with practical experiences and the passion for filmmaking.

“If you want to save production costs – don’t save on the right equipment! Fixing problems is always more expensive than avoiding them”

Our Products We are proud to present our STEREOTEC line: Products for precise, reliable, smooth and therefore cost-efficient 3D production. Deve- loped, tested and extensively used by engineer and stereographer, Dipl.-Ing. Florian Maier. Unveiled at ICB 2009 and finding immediate success the STEREO- TEC 3D Live Rig guarantees accuracy and precision. Build for professional camcorders and digital film cameras, this beamsplit- ter rig consists of a custom molded carbon fiber body and can be fully remote controlled: Essential to capture live events and to save time and money during feature film productions. The STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MAXI and MINI are two sturdy, lightweight and versatile side-by-side rigs which offer a high level of accuracy in calibration and precision. The MINI was build for small cameras and can be used for handheld and steadycam operation. The MAXI accommodates larger cameras too. Another precision tool is the STEREOTEC Stereoscopic Calculator, a unique and easy-to-use software tool which supports the stereographer in finding the desired settings for his depth composition.

www.stereotec.com about Side-by-Side Rigs

“What’s really great about this system is that it’s so small, economical, and unobtrusive. The STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MINI is simple and very straightforward when it comes to the crucial alignment needed in 3D.” Scott Hoffman (Steadycam Operator / 3D Technician, USA)

Sturdy, light-weight, precise. These are the main qualities of the two STEREOTEC Side-by-Side rigs: The STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MAXI and the STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MINI. These versatile side-by-side rigs were build to satisfy the real-life needs of a complex 3D shooting. They offer intuitive control of the 3D camera setup, no matter if the DOP wants to shoot a panorama, a concert or in a tight space with the MINI. Both rigs share the same qualities as all STEREOTEC products: Build from strong, resistant materials in order to guarantee longevity. This will ensure easy, quick and faithful calibration with the trademark STEREOTEC digital counters for adjustment of interaxial and convergence which can also be motorized and remote controlled if desired.

The STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MAXI has a user-friendly modular design. Due to its stability and dependability it feels at home on crane, dolly or in a studio setting alike. It supports cameras from SI-2K to Sony HD-Cams or RED One and can be equipped with an optional Chrosziel quicklock plate or a mounting plate for 1/4” or 3/8” mounts. An optional motorization kit allows the rig to be operated by remote control.

The STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MINI was created to be small and lightweight for steadicam or handheld. Despite a weight of mere 1,4 kg (3 pound) and its small size the rig is still as accurate and steady as the larger rigs from STEREOTEC and just as durable as its bigger brothers and sisters. It is unobtrusive and very easy to handle, perfect for operating on a live stage for example.

www.stereotec.com Side-by-Side Rigs Side-by-Side MAXI features: s usable for professional film, video and photo cameras s build for professional cameras like Sony EX3, HD or broadcast cameras like Sony, Panasonic or Thomson, film cameras like SI-2k, Red One, F23, photo cameras like Canon/Nikon and many others... s interaxial control with high quality electronic counter (resettable) and handwheel (motorizable) s one convergence control (optional two), with fine adjustment and high quality electronic counter (resettable for calibration; with computation in degrees), motorizable s interaxial of 350 mm / appr. 15 inch (larger interaxials available on request) s convergence: appr. 8° s calibration modules for camera fine adjustment in tilt and roll s mount for Chrosziel quicklock plates or mounting plate for 1/4” or 3/8” mounts s optional motorisation kit (for interaxial and convergence)

Side-by-Side MINI features: s build for small cameras like CUNIMA, ICONIX, MODULA, LMP or SI-2k s small (handheld, steadycam, crane) s precise (Made in Germany) s adjustable in roll, tilt, convergence and interaxial s durable and rugged s digital counters (for interaxial, convergence) s motorizable (interaxial and convergence) with optional motorisation kit s available with or without housing s splashwater proof (complete housing version) s interaxial of 120 mm / appr. 4,7 inch (larger interaxials available) s weight: appr. 1400 g / 3 pound

www.stereotec.com Side-by-Side Rigs Rigs in action

Two recent highlights for the STEREOTEC rigs have been shot on opposite sides of the planet.

In Italy the production team of award-winning director Wim Wender’s new short film “Il volo” chose the STEREOTEC Side-by-Side MINI when a small rig was required. DOP Romano Albani used two Si-2k on the MINI. With this project Wim Wenders retur- ned to Italy where he had already shot his last feature film “Palermo Shooting”, but now captured the setting in Calabria in 3D.

The STEREOTEC 3D Live Rig with two Red One cameras and two STEREOTEC Side-by- Side MAXI (for still photogra- phy and timelapse shots) were in action in China for 34 days. During this shooting for a film for the Expo 2010 in Shanghai they saw the extreme tempera- tures and different weather conditions of 6 different locations all over the country: Deserts, freezing cold and ocean wind…

Dipl.-Ing. Florian Maier worked on the film as a stereographer which will be shown in one of Expo 2010’s pavillions.