The LANC Sheperd is a device that controls two digital cameras through the LANC or ACC port so that you have synchronized shutter and zoom. This allows you to shoot beautiful full frame digital stereo “3D” photographs.

It seems that only Sony digital cameras work with the device right now but there are some beautiful results posted to the 3D Exchange which make it look like a pretty good option, even better than my own Digital Rebel with the Loreo 3D Lens-in-a-Cap rig.

The device was developed by Rob Crockett as he nearly ruined a digital camera trying to hard wire them together. This way you don’t need to do any messy permanent changes to the cameras. You will find his information pages here. John Hart describes his rig using this device and a pair of excellent Sony V1 digital cameras here. You can buy the device from the Pokescope folks (the image is from there – Monte also has a Pokescope viewer and software for stereo digital cameras). You can also get it from Berezin (good folks who have a ton of products to support your 3D photography needs).

Hmmmm. My birthday is coming up in less than one month . . . June 6, for those not in the know . . . so, now you know and can send gifts, money, and offers of intimate favors at the appropriate time . . . this sucker with a couple nice compatible digital cameras in the five to six megapixel range (preferably CF-compatible but beggars can’t be choosers and I’m more than happy to beg here) would make a wonderful gift from family, friends, admiring fans, estranged enemies, students in search of higher grades, or just about anyone . . . I’m not picky.

It’s really too bad it only seems to work with ACC type Sony digital still cameras and some Canon digital video cameras at the moment as there are a number of inexpensive digital cameras coming out at the moment that look like good cheap twin possibilities.