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RETO 3D

The RETO3D is a tri-lens stereo camera produced by RETO, after a successful Kickstarter campaign in early 2019. Like other stereo cameras, each lens simultaneously produces a separate image from a slightly offset point of view. These images can then be scanned to either turn into lenticular prints or combined into an animated GIF that shows the appearance of depth. Unlike previous Nimslo or Nishika cameras, the RETO3D uses only three lenses instead of four, thus producing fewer images. The resulting GIFs are a bit choppier than those of the Nimlso or Nishika, but the camera does allow more shots per roll.

The RETO3D is a simple camera with set exposure and focus. It has a manual film advance and rewind, as well as a built-in flash that uses a single AA battery.

za/sd

RETO3D

In 2019, a company called RETO launched a Kickstarter to fund a new stereo film camera they were calling the RETO3D. It follows in the footsteps of the Nishika and Nimslo cameras of the 1980s, in that it uses multiple lenses to create simultaneous images from offset perspectives so that, after developing, the images could be used to create images with depth. RETO isn't necessarily looking to provide photographers with a tool for 3D prints, as much as they are looking to provide them with a way of creating animated GIFs generated from film. Their slogan is "Wiggle the moment."⁠

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The RETO3D is a nifty, little camera. Compact. Light. Simple. Exposure, aperture, and focus are all fixed; it is a point-and-shoot, indeed. The camera has a built-in flash, a feature that may be what we appreciate most about it. Be warned - the flash is offset above the rightmost lens. We're not sure yet if this could lead to uneven exposure - if you got too close to your subject or something - but, then again, the camera has a minimum focusing distance of one meter, so we haven't pushed the envelope on this one.⁠

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The RETO3D differs from its stereo predecessors in that it has three lenses, instead of four. The disadvantage to this is twofold. First, the gap between the three lenses is less than four, resulting in a decreased sense of depth in the final GIF, more so the farther away your subject. Also, three lenses means three images, meaning a choppier GIF than would result from using four images. Three lenses also means you only eat up 1.5 frames per fire, instead of 2, so you do get more shots per roll, about 24 on a 36 exposure roll.⁠

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The other thing we like is the $99 retail price which feels just about right and is a much better than the price Nimslo and Nishikas have been fetching. ⁠

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za/sd

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Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc

sales@bluemooncamera.com
(503) 978-0333
(503) 978-0370
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203