The W1 successor is one of the cameras with more distance between lenses, so you are less limited with distances on 3D photography. But this means you need to be further from the camera if you are going to take some selfies (you need lengthy arms), if you take stills too near with this camera image will be unviewable on 3D. By this cause is advisable to always take a trypod with the camera, and is not the only reason, low light conditions result on too low quality so you need a trypod to do acceptable pictures (You’re not one of that novices that use flash to capture buildings and far objects. Aren’t you?). If you want to capture close ups you can take advantage of an excellent flash who allows epic 3D pictures.
Second shortcoming is battery. You need always one spare battery. The reason is you never know how many battery left. Most of the time battery indicator shows 100% battery, but when battery downs to 3/4 you have to be prepared to do the last photos. Promptly battery downs to 1/4 and indicator shows in red. At this time you can only take 2 or 3 photos more before camera shuts down.
It’s time for the last shortcoming: the video image (recorded at 720p). The problem is a shuttering video, the 30fps are not stable, and remember the low quality on low light conditions. So we not recommend this camera for video recordings unless you want to record a quiet scene (like a wedding). Recording format uses .AVI file format with 2 video channels. Some not 3d ready players will play 2 windows with the 2 videos, some other will play only one eye, so you can share file even if the other person has no 3D equipment. Most of 3D applications support this file format, thanks to the widespread of this camera. It’s easy to extract 2d version of this file without conversions nor adjustments. And you can connect the camera to a 3DTV using the HDMI cable.
It’s easy to find this camera on second hand sites. Even though it’s shortcomings it can take 3D stills others can’t. We use this camera alternating with Panasonic 3D1, like professional photographers alternating lenses on their cameras.
You can still buy on Amazon USA, France, Deutschland.
Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3
350+ €/$
Pros
- 3D depth
- Flash
- 3D screen
- Ergonomics
- Adjustable depth
Cons
- Low light quality
- Battery
- Video shuttering
- Can't use zoom or flash on video
- Fingers ocasionally obstruct sensor