MF mounts (was Re: more newbie questions)

[erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Erker)]

>>One mount that is similar is the King Inn mount
>>
>>http://calcite.rocky.edu/ftpdir/photo/photo-3d/technical/mnt6x6.gif
>>
>>But the Spicer mount is 80 x 132.
>>
>
>Looking at the drawing makes me realise how much I like the
>rounded apertures in Joel's MF mounts. For some reason I find square
>corners distracting.

Here's my take on the Alpers/Spicer vs King Inn:

King Inn positives: biggest openings at 52.5x53 mm,
light grey colour makes them less transparent than
white mounts.

KI negatives: Front and rear window openings
are the same size so you can get a distracting
double edge effect on some slides. Cardboard is
fuzzier than Alpers/Spicer mounts. Large top
radii make the mounts look old fashioned...
okay for stereocards but not for slides IMO.
Expensive...$50 per 100 I think was the price.

Alpers/Spicer positives: 4 different styles
available, excellent quality cardboard, by
mixing and matching fronts and backs you can
get odd openings like 40x40mm or 42x42mm or
even 52x52mm (with double edge probs on the
last one). Low cost and quantity discounts
available.

A/S negatives: white cardboard lets too much
light though on some slides (usually dark ones),
50x50 opening is too small sometimes. Using two
backs to make a 52x52 helps but you run the
risk of double edges being visible unless you
enlarge the opening of the rear one. (I need
to try this with a sharp X-acto knife some
day. My attempt with a dull one ended up in
the trash :)

---
  I don't have a strong opinion on rounded
vs square apertures but prefer the rounded.
(true also in Albions. The 5 and 7 perf look
nicer than the square cornered 4 perf mount.)

---
The winner?  Alpers/Spicer and all of us :)

Greg