Franka Viewer

[Mark_Poole@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Mark Poole) To: photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

>Date: Thu, 25 Jan 1996 10:08:00 -0800
>From: crowell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Jim Crowell) To: photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Franka viewer optics?

>While perusing the Reel-3D web site I noticed that they now carry an adaptor that allows the Franka slide viewer to be used with Realist-format slides.
>The catalog says the lenses are glass, does anyone know anything more about them?

I have one of these. I had been using it for my 2x2x2 slides from my twin rig. I had an extra slide holder, so I took an exacto knife and cut down these ridges in the center, and now it holds Realist slides okay.

Since this is my only viewer, for this format I have nothing to compare it to. I can tell you about, though. 

The body is black plastic, with a translucent white cover to allow you to "steal the light." This cover snaps off so you can clean it of the dust and other squigglys that get on the inside. It has a little knob, similar to the focusing wheel of binoculars. There is no interoccular adjustment. The focusing knob, after three years of use, began to stick, so I took it apart and cleaned it, and it works okay now, but is showing a little wear.
The viewer itself is pretty tough (it has been knocked off many a nightstand by our tidy feline housemates). 

Some notes:
[1] It is small enough to pop into a coat or jacket pocket. [2] The focusing feature is good. I am farsighted, my wife is nearsighted, yet both of us can find a position (with glasses off) to see the image clearly. I can wear my glasses and view the image at the nearsighted position, too.
[3] The only way to get a "brilliant" image is to stick it within a foot of a 100 watt bulb.
[4] The optics seem fine, in that I have not noticed any image aberration.
[5] I am told that the Realist "red buttons" have better optics, but I've never seen this, and can not comment. 

I hope this helps.

------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Poole	| Mark_Poole@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The ants find kingdoms in a foot of ground -William Rose Benet ------------------------------------------------------------------- 


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