Fujifilm W1 3D Camera : FujiFilm's W1 3D Camera: Let's Talk About It Again, Shall We?

Posted on 2009-08-24 11:20:00 | by: Daimaou | 24 Comments
Category: IMAGE | Tags: FUJIFILM, CAMERA, FINEPIX, EXR, PHOTO, 3D

FujiFilm's W1 3D Camera: Let's Talk About It Again, Shall We?

Last week we tested and wrote a little review on Fujifilm's first true 3D camera, the W1, and just less than 24hrs after we published our review, Fujifilm Japan contacted us to find out why we were so disappointed with it, and invited us to talk about it face to face.

First I'd like to stress how surprised I was to meet such an open-minded staff over at Fujifilm, something quite rare in Japan…

So what was all the fuss about?

First let’s summarize the different points on the W1 that disappointed us and we discussed with Fujifilm.
1) GUI, or Graphic User Interface.
2) Poor quality photos in general (2D) for a camera sold in Japan for 50,000 - 60,000 yen (€370 - €441).
3) Limited use of the 3D with the camera alone.

We're not going to go into to many details about what we discussed here, Fujifilm gave us a lot of information to better understand their W1 concept that we can't share with you. However, it's very important to understand what you're going to read includes the information Fujifilm provided us at the meeting.

There's no doubt the W1, a first generation 3D camera, can't be 100% perfect. Although Fujifilm says they will work hard to come up with even superior products in the future, Fujifilm is confident the W1, as it is, is a revolutionary product that expands consumer enjoyment of photography.

GUI
The GUI, or Graphic User Interface, is as far as we are concerned rough and complicated. Once again, who's going to carry around a user's manual to change the ISO speed? How many pictures will you miss if you have to first understand how the various settings work, and visit the many menus and sub-menus in order to find the setting that matches the picture?

This is what we're talking about, I am not looking for a fancy looking GUI, but something quick and efficient to get what I want easily and quickly.

On this point Fujifilm understood our frustration and told us the GUI is important to them and that like many things can be improved. It's very possible in the future Fujifilm will propose an improved GUI generation after generation in order to provide the best experience possible.

Poor Quality Photos in 2D
Yes we're disappointed with the results of the pictures we took, and yes we're still disappointed with them. Even after seeing photos taken by Fujilfim… several samples Fujifilm showed us were printed on photo paper. Granted the W1, thanks to its newly tweaked image processor, is better in low noise than other 10Mpix Point and Shoots, there are still some areas that need improving. Yes, compared to the latest EXR Series the W1 and its10Mpix censors still don't give us the quality that should be expected from a 60,000 Yen (€441) camera.

Fujifilm implied that some improvements could be done to future products to make them even better, however, and after some careful comparisons, the W1 is in the good/average, and possibly a little better than other Point and Shoost… The W1 in 2D mode surely may please many causal photographers, but once again there's room for improvement for the advanced user looking for better pictures. And improvements may come with the possible adoption of the EXR Technology in the future…

Limited use of the 3D with the camera alone.
Yes the W1 is a real 3D camera. YES the results in 3D are stunning and I have proof in front of me of that… However, it seems many people didn't understand what we were trying to say here…

Imagine you bought a W1, you're very happy with it and shot a lot of 3D photos and videos… Your camera is full of 3D wonder and you're eager to share them with your friends and family. You plug your camera to your PC and send a 3D file to grandma, your friends, or lover to discover they have no way to enjoy your it… And this is all that's the matter here…

Yes the W1 provides stunning 3D photos, and we saw amazing ones at Fujifilm HQ shot undersea in Okinawa, but alone, and even for yourself the W1 is pretty useless… Want to enjoy your art? You have only three solutions at your disposal, either your W1's screen, the 40,000 Yen (€297) 3D frame from Fujifilm, or a special 3D LCD with special glasses, or printing your photos online with FujiFilm's 3D printing solution that will later send your pictures, like the one below.

Here's the major problem… As for today if you purchase a W1 alone you'll have a lot of trouble viewing 3D photos.

Never we complained about the 3D quality, we only complained Fujifilm provides no software to allow to enjoy 3D pictures on a PC or Mac.

After spending a lot of time discussing this with Fujifilm's staff, and all agreeing that YES the 3D pictures are wonderful, Fujifilm realized the importance of providing an alternate solution for 3D photos… like software that can be installed on a PC (or grandma's PC)…. And on this final point, even if we can't promise anything today, Fujifilm already has a solution… Now it's only a matter of whether or not Fujifilm will provide this solution to their present customers or future ones.

Fujifilm’s idea behind the W1
Fujifilm understood from the beginning that 3D photography was targeted to a limited niche of enthusiasts, but they are also working on improving their technology as well as working with other manufacturers to make their technology a standard and as compatible with other devices as possible … It's a long road for them, but they have the will and their 3D photos, once can fully enjoy them, are really breathtaking… So let’s be patient and see what the future holds.

Conclusion
Now we hope that you have a better understanding of what our first article was all about as well as Fujifilm's W1. If you still have any doubt, just wait for the W1 to reach your country and test this beast by yourself.

After all, who's a better judge of what you like than yourself?

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Posted on Mon Aug 24, 11:43 by Understand
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Well Fuji, you cant blame Akihabara cos they're a group of bloggers who don't have any professional skills to tests such cameras (unlike other sites such as dpreview.com, cameralabs.com, etc.)

They're just happy to see new gadgets like a kid on x'mas morning. Or you could just send them NAT's which they seem to have an unhealthy fetish for...

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 01:00 by cybereality, Hacker, USA
Home Page: http://www.mtbs3d.com
You have brought up some good points, but at the same time I think you should give the W1 some slack for being the first of its kind.

Also, although the camera does not come with software to view the photos, you can indeed view them on a PC with a little work. Many users are using a beta version of StereoPhoto Maker which allows you to import MPO files and export in a variety of formats.

I have also written a small program that will convert the MPO files to JPEG stereo pairs. Its called MPO2Stereo and you can download it for free here:
http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4124

So in order to view the 3D photos you can use the viewfinder on the W1, buy the V1 picture frame, buy a 3D monitor like the Zalman Trimon / IZ3D / Nvidia 3D Vision, get an HMD like the VR920, get a cheap pair of anaglyph glasses (red/cyan), or even just free-view using the parallel or cross-eyed methods (no special hardware required). So there are lots of options.

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 01:05 by Cutkillavince, MI Manager, KR, FR, NL
Home Page: http://cutkillavince.com/
Cool, btw, the picture with the bike looks really nice

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 02:47 by Kei, USB Key Specialist, Tokyo, Akihabara, Koiwa
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@ I agree... But are you sure your grand ma can enjoy your 3D pictures with your solution?

Are you sure your grand ma will purchase a screen, or frame especially dedicated to your pictures? I'm not really sure...

That's why it's written the W1 had been made for a niche market...

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 04:01 by mm3
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IMO, the reviewer should have said the camera is made for a niche market instead of saying it's the worst camera which is totally unfair to the product and makes the reviewer looks bias and sounds like someone who doesn't have knowledge about 3d.

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 04:45 by Wendy
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Instead of complaining about the lack of ways to enjoy the 3D pictures, the reviewer should APPLAUD Fujifilm for taking this bold step that no other camera company has. If every manufacturer waited around for the other companies to make the first move, there'd be NO (r)evolution. There are already TVs and Monitors being made, this helps to support those, not the other way around.
And saying the 2D image quality doesn't match the price is also unfair; the price is a reflection of ALL the features. How about looking at it as, "how many cameras for 60000 Yen can shoot in 3D" instead?
But to be honest, I have a Fuji Z3, and I am very disappointed with its picture quality, even though I only paid about $150 CDN, so I'd be apprehensive about paying any amount for a Fuji 3D camera.

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 04:48 by Matchy
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Hmm... I dont think it is fair to compare this camera with other pns camera of that price range. After all, this camera come with two lens and two CCD.

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 06:56 by Jez, Entrepreneur, London
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I repeat what i said in your last review.

This is an awesome camera. Ive had it for a week now, and the pictures it takes are simply breathtaking! The 3d is the most amazing feature of the camera and i can forgive absolutely anything else, simply because the way the images come alive - in 3d - has to be seen to be believed. Everyone who sees the pictures im taking simply goes WOW!

By the way, ive ordered 3 V1 viewer screens so that the rest of my family can share in the enjoyment of the amazing 3d pictures that ive been taking.

-- Jez.

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 07:15 by Kei, USB Key Specialist, Tokyo, Akihabara, Koiwa
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Thanks Jez for your comment! Finally an Interesting comment! But what you're saying is what is written in this review... Yep, read it again...

The Subject is not how are your 3D pictures are amazing....

How much did you paid for 3 V1 viewer? 120 000 Yen, added to the 55 000 Yen camera? A total of 175 000 Yens? Not sure it's a really affordable solution...

Regarding the 3D pictures. Granted, the W1 gives us amazing pictures (As it had been written)... However, to be able to enjoy your pictures, you have to be in a certain position... Actually, the V1 Viewer allow up to three persons to enjoy pictures... It means, the fourth will be in an uncomfortable position, and will feel his eyes "burning"....

What do you think about that? I think, it's to expensive... But if you have enough money, I'm really glad for you!

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 07:27 by Coolio
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I see your knowledge about 3D is small, small, small.

I looked a lot of 3D pictures from W1 on my Zalman 22" 3D Monitor (€ 170 [!] with all cables, 3 polariz. eyeglasses ans Stereoscopic Player) - they are fantastic!

Your preview of W1 makes you a 3D dude ...

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 07:53 by wouwout, Entrepeneur, Amsterdam
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The reviewer is slowly backing away from his slightly foolish review. Thanks Fujifilm for being brave enough to start this new technology and making it accessible! No thanks to the reviewer for being ridiculous about the product (and constantly telling people to read the review).

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 08:14 by Kei, USB Key Specialist, Tokyo, Akihabara, Koiwa
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@Coolio, and Wouwout... Unfortunately, what you're saying is what is written....

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 08:29 by Daimaou, Survivor, Tokyo - Japan
Home Page: http://www.akihabaranews.com
Many seems to miss the point here, but hey... after all, they seems happy with their life so let it be !

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 10:12 by Glowy
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Daimaou, I think your main point was that the camera is not for everyone, which is true. What most people are complaining about, is that you emphasized this drawback to the point of being unfair. This is fine for a user review, not for an expert review. Maybe the former has been mistaken for the latter.

Posted on Mon Aug 24, 11:08 by Beatnik, Network Consulting, San Diego, CA USA
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To make it short I think this is too soon I am a 3D photo enthusist and currently I just take puctures and ad a anaglyph silter via photoshop. I think right now this is the best way to do it. I could not afford this technology. I would although purchase a camrea that takes "Real3D" Photos as I have seen movies in this format and I think its great. I think this product is too soon. What needs to be developed is a 3D frame that can compete with regular digital frames before it will be competitive. Also This is not something grandma could use As I bet she would not know how to load pictures to the frame and if you want to pay that much money on essentually a single photo fram for grandma. I personally would rather send her a envelope of phots with a pair of glasses for viewing. In all I belive this camera is too early and that the non glasses 3d viewing technology needs to be developed first. Although i know the camrea is needed for that so IDK. just some oppinions.

Posted on Tue Aug 25, 02:48 by Dionysus, Software QA Engineer, NYC
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I'm glad to see the reviewer offer a more intelligent write up. The first sounded like something a 5th grader would write in a chat room, lol.

I still think you come off as someone who isn't very knowledgeable of photography particularly if the company had to give you sample images since yours had no depth (white background? 2 objects that are the same distance from the lens? uhhhhh... ). that's kinda a common sense thing, if it's 3D.

Your Grandma example is funny. I would buy prints for her and mail them.

The cost comparison is kinda dumb, it has more features. It's different technology.

Posted on Tue Aug 25, 04:58 by zebarnabe, Student, Portugal
Home Page: http://ogatobranco.blogspot.com
Well... looking at the quality of photos of the review and considering the price, i would say that it has an acceptable image quality for ISO400 where noise starts to appear...

A good point in this camera defense is that you're buying enough stuff to make 2 point-and-shoot cameras... for the price of 2 point-and-shoot cameras ... so .. since many of those cameras greatly suffer from image quality issues on higher ISO's i would say fujifilm did a good job at hardware level.

But yes... not having a good way (read: cheap) to watch photos in 3d makes the whole camera purpose worthless... maybe a software solution like youtube 3D mode would help...

Posted on Tue Aug 25, 09:03 by LeeN
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I think Fujifilms is awesome for creating this product, it may be a first generation integrated product (there have been a few products out there that supported 3d but most or modifications or hacks) but it is a first step in the right direction.

What do you think should come first, the displays, the software or the cameras? They need to happen at the same time, and that means a number of companies need to take risk.

Anyway, I always take your guys reviews with a large grain of salt, you guys didn't like the Sanyo HD cameras either, and I bought it despite your complaints and am perfectly happy with it.

Posted on Tue Aug 25, 10:44 by Ains, Broadcaster, London
Home Page:
Well I have just picked my W1 3D up Fter waiting for delivery from Japan. The results are quite phenominal I have a picture of a bus (amongst many) that has amazing 3d properties you can see right through the windows to a street in the distance behind! My worst camera was a 110 instamatic I was given when I was 7 the pictures even then were rubbish, but the value of those pictures to me far outweigh the quality. This is an amazing piece of technology Fuji have pushed the envelope and should be praised for the achievment. Digital has allowed the Phoenix of 3d imaginging to be reborn. Remember colour TV was a novelty for the priviliged few when it was first invented 3d imaging methods will improve in the not so
distant future and these early digital 3d pictures will be treasured in years to come.

Posted on Wed Aug 26, 10:18 by David_Starkman, 3-D Photographer, Culver City, California, USA
Home Page: http://www.reel3d.com
I totally agree with you about Fujifilm missing out on offering other viewing options to go with their 3D camera. However, the software and the hardware for viewing already exists! If you Google "StereoPhoto Maker" it is a free PC Only software program that will let you extract separate Left and Right JPG images from the Fujifilm MPO files, and then save them in a variety of formats, including Anaglyphs (onscreen or prints that require cheap red/cyan glasses), side-by-side pairs that can be printed on the normal 4"x6" print size by ANY lab, and then viewed with under US$3.00 each viewers from www.loreo.com. They can also be formatted for viewing on 3-D ready DLP TV's, the Sharp 3D monitor, twin-digital projector projection, and more options will become available as more 3D hardware comes to market. I have a tutorial on the StereoPhoto Maker software I can send you.

Posted on Thu Sep 10, 01:39 by Dhampir, Journalist, South America
Home Page:
Dear Daimaou
You can´t say bad things about something without understand than you don´t own the truth of everything... it´s just your point of view, so, you must understand people with anothers way of see something... the camera? looks nice, but i can´t pay that much for that... that doesn´t means "that camera sucks!!!". Good luck.

Posted on Thu Nov 12, 03:37 by Solex
Home Page:
You can also use the Acer AS5738DG laptop. I has a built-in TriDef screen. Seems like a great companion to this camera.

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