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

[Joel Alpers <joel.alpers@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom Deering 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?

How often do you shoot hyper vs. normal? That may help you make the
decision. If you leave them separate, the extra flexibility costs
you extra time and effort on 90% of your shots if you shoot only 10%
hyper, for example. On the other hand, NOT siamesing avoids all 
the work and possible waste (in my case) of trying to get two cameras
built together.

One thought; on my Ricohflex, Sam linked everything --except-- aperture
(to save time and cost to me). I kinda wish I had gone the extra,
now that I've used it. I guess I prefer either totally linked or
not at all  ;)

> 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?

Well, I don't know if this matters to you, but one advantage is that you
can get a fair amount closer to a normal stereo base by twinning, better
than you can by simply using two cameras on a bar. (not true of all cameras,
but probably true of  most if not all MF TLRs).
 
> 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?

Sure, if you want to.

> 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?

If you're always shooting subjects that support that (such as always 
scenics, no closeups). IMHO that would be too limiting, but it's certainly
a possibility if your subject/shooting style supports it.

Realize that in medium format, depth-of-field is a bigger concern that
in smaller formats (because you're using longer lenses). For example, 
on my Pentax 6x7 using the normal (105mm) lens, at f/16, I get from 15'
to infinity in focus. If I want to shoot closer, I must compose to
eliminate infinity or accept soft focus at infinity. On a Realist you
don't have that problem until much closer, due to the 35mm lenses...
 
> If this subject has been swatted around already, or is too simple, just
> kick me.

No kick here.  ;)

Joel.