Re: Mounts again

[Joel.Alpers@xxxxxxxxxxx]

David W. Kesner writes:
#
#Can it be that no one has an opinion on Realist format mounts?
#

;)

Well, David, I didn't reply to your first message, even though I
_always_ have opinions, because you said, "I've heard the sales
hype", and I _do_ sell mounts. But, I'll turn my hat around and
give some "user opinions" ;)


Realist format mounts I've used:   
    RBT 
    cardboard tape-shut
    Realist heat-seal

I started using heat-seal, and sill like those, but since I've
gone more to European format, and there aren't any heat-seal
available, I then started using the cardboard tape-shut mounts
that we import from Steve Spicer in Australia. 

Here's my pro/con lists:

heat-seal mounts:
pros:
  + Inexpensive
  + Neat-looking final appearance, no tape
  + Have guide nibs for initial placement.
cons:
  - Must be careful when heat sealing to not damage the film chips.
  - maybe it's me, but mine don't always seal perfectly - sometimes
    I have one separate after a time.

tape-shut mounts:
pros: 
  + nice, with good quality cardboard. 
  + Inexpensive. 
  + Lots of adjustment room. 
  + WIDE variety of sizes.
cons:
  - tape on the edges of the mounts bothers me some. Sometimes
    two mounts will stick together. Some people glue these shut,
    but you'd want to use an archival glue.
  - The lack of "nibs" to help initial placement can be a little
    annoying.

While still using the tape-shut mounts extensively, I've also
started using RBT mounts. I _love_ em (except the cost!)
pros:
  + VERY quick and easy - the mounts have pins which engage the
    film sprocket holes, and you just snap the film in, adjust
    one slide for composition, and adjust the other for the
    stereo window.
  + Precise vertical control (if needed) in 0.1mm steps, 0 to .4mm
cons:
  - Don't support corrections for rotational errors, so if you have
    slides with rotational problems, you'll need to either use
    another mount, or not use the pin-registering thingies.
  - $$$.

I don't currently use aluminum/glass mounting, so I'll let others
comment on that.


Joel Alpers
Rocky Mountain Memories - Equipment and Supplies for the 3D Photographer
rkymtmem@xxxxxxxx
http://www.frii.com/~rkymtmem

<commercial mode on>
I supply samples of the tape-shut and RBT mounts - email if interested.
<commercial mode off>


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