Re: Holmes-Bates Stereoscope Kit (fwd)

[wier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Bob Wier)]

> From: "Lauren Michaels" <lem@xxxxxxxxxx>

>> I just built a Holmes-Bates American Stereoscope from a nice kit.  The kit
>> was purchased in Geneva IL for $30.  It is made of cardboard, but you
>> laminate from 3 to 5 pieces together to create a solid piece.
>
>I also mail ordered this kit. Since when is CARDBOARD considered a "heirloom"
>quality builing material?
>
>> The glue (peel/stick) is very strong.  Black leatherette covers all the
>>  pieces. 
>
>I had a lot of trouble with the rounded parts sticking and some of the
>laminate also. I ended up adding glue and tacks to hold the thing together.
>
>> The plastic lenses are good and it includes a slide bar (for single lens
>>  cameras) and 6 cards photographed with the twin Hasslebhal cameras! 
>
>The plastic lenses were about the only worthwhile thing in the kit. There
>was a parts list were you could order just more lenses but there was no
>price! The "slide bar" is about strong enough for a tiny p&s camera and,
>even with that, you would really have to paste it down on something!
>
>> The kit is manufactured by Van Cort Instruments, Inc, Northampton MA. 
>
>These people make beautiful wood and glass kalidescopes so I was surprised
>they woudl make anythign as chintzy as this thing!
>
>> While not a great viewer, it was fun to build (abou t 4 hours) and is a
>> nice aux. viewer.  It is a little hard to use with glasses.
>
>I gave this to someone for Christmas and I was pretty embarassed about it.
>
>> This is a brand new kit. Instructions include info on shooting and
>> mounting c ards.  An instresting NEW product for Stereo.  Gene
>
>This is sold through mail order. Two places that have it are Time Life and A
>Photographer's Place. Be forwarned....this is a cardboard and plastic
>viewer. You will *NOT* be building and "heirloom"! Also, the six cards that
>come with it are grainy, bad four color prints, not actuall hasselbad
>photographs!
>-- 
>Signature Deprivation Experiment #3905 beginning now:



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