Re: Pros and cons of linked/siamesed MF cameras.

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tom wrote:
> Joel wrote:
> >Sam did a Ricohflex pair for me, he had to reverse one of the film
> >winding buttons to butt the cameras together. You can see a photo
> >of it on his WEB site, at URL:
> >
> >  http://www.cadvision.com/3dhacker/rico.htm
> 
> 
> I'm thinking about making a camera like Sam's, but I have mixed
> emotions.  Since I know nothing at all about MF stereo--the
> following questions are based in my minimal 35mm stereo experience.
> Any thoughts?
> 
> 1. If I have separate cameras, I can shoot hyper. If I link them, then I
> save a bit of time.  Which is better?
> 

I shoot a lot of hypers (e.g., my landscapes of Ireland, New York
architecture), so separate cameras are a plus for me.  Fiddling with
all the knobs is a minus.

> 2. Besides speed or ease, what is the benefit of twinning? Is speed really
> a factor in a camera that only gets 12 photos to the roll?
> 

Speed can be a factor.  Last year I tried shooting a sheep dog demo,
but it was hard to wind each camera between shots and get the action.
Ease can also be important.  I hate getting film back only to realize
that I forgot to adjust the controls of both cameras.

On the other hand, having to deal with two strips of film (when
scanning or mounting) is enough of a hassle that I haven't really
given much thought to siamesing TLRs.  I like Sam's Stereo Isolette
project.  By having both images on a single film strip you can use the
film edge as a guide in mounting and scanning.  Unfortunately I
haven't been able to find any used Isolettes in the local camera
stores.

On the gripping hand, being able to take 12 pairs at a time without
reloading is nice.

> 3. Siamising makes sense if I can make the thing smaller or lighter.  With
> the focus linked, could I ditch the focusing/viewing section of
> *one* camera?
> 
> 4. For that matter, why not dump *both* focusing/viewing sections?  Since
> I'm shooting hyperfocal, couldn't I just use the scale on the lens
> barrel?
> 

The Lubitels are already pretty light.  I think both my Lubitels
mounted on a flash bracket are lighter than my Yashicamat.  I don't
think you'll save enough weight by dumping both viewers (or even just
one) to justify losing the ability to compose your pictures.

-- 
Brian Reynolds     | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx | "Oooh!"
NAR# 54438         |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
                   |       "Dexter's Laboratory"