Re: What am I up to now?

[Alan Lewis <3-d@xxxxxxxx>]

Tom Deering wrote:
> 
Greg wrote:
> >  I still think the ultimate MF viewer should have rack and pinion
> >(or similar) focusing. But you are getting close :)
> 
Tom Wrote:
> But acrylic!  Why didn't I think of that?  I build lots of stuff out
> of plexiglass.  Dang, that's a good idea.

I'll send you the bill Tom. ;-)

One question about rack and pinion:

Why have it?  I know it's a niftier way to focus, but I very rarely ever
focus my viewer.  As Ron Popeil says: "Set it and forget it".

Is this because I use mounting gauges and don't have convergence
differences?  Or is it that the focus needs to be adjusted for showing
the viewer around to different people? Or maybe people are after a finer
adjustment than sliding can offer? (No fair answering "yes" to all of
these ;-))
BTW: sliding focus can be just as precise as rack and pinion if one uses
a "pivoting" finger method rather than a push/pull. If you use your
index finger knuckle as a pivot against the wood then it really turns
into a lever focus.

I can say that using rack and pinion for focus in a limited production
viewer will increase the cost.  Is it worth it?

What if the sliding focus that I use (like in the MF kit) were designed
to eliminate having to loosen and tighten the screw, just slide it and
it stays? How about a lever on the bottom of the viewer that forms a
fulcrum with maybe a 3:1 ratio for finer adjusting?

Let's talk.....

-- 
Alan Lewis  
mailto:3-d@xxxxxxxx
http://members.home.net/3-d
Serious viewers for Serious viewer's
New stereo viewers & Stereo Wedding Photography