Re: FLASH question

[ex836@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (James R. Motley)]

Patrick, in your FLASH question(s) of 01 feb, you say you are using a
Vivitar 85 flash.  I do not find a reference to a model 85. Did you mean 285?
The 285 has has a "zoom" feature for wide, normal, and telephoto corresponding
to about 35mm, 50mm and 135mm lenses.  I would believe the wide position
would adequately cover the field for the 35mm focal length lenses of many
stereo cameras.  Altho you mentioned several cameras with no shoes, you 
did not mention which camera was having the flash coverage problem.
If you know someone who has a flash meter, you could try checking the 
output of your flash unit near each edge and near the center of the
picture you see in the rangefinder.  With your camera on a tripod or some
fixed object, place markers at each edge of what you see.  Then, use the
flash meter to see if there is any appreciable difference of lighting
(f-stop) reading near each edge and the center.  Before buying another
flash, try to borrow a flash which you think might have a wider light
distribution and check again.  Does the FREE UNIVERSITY OF BRUSSELS have 
a photo club, or any photography classes?  Any place there is a group of
people, there is going to be photo equipment and almost certainly someone
willing to help in such a test.  Besides, you might get a "flat" photographer
interested in 3D.

Re your comment about the "unsolvable" problem of the left image getting
more light in close-ups because of the flash shoe being over the left 
lens, the easiest solution is to get the flash further away from the
"close-up object" by using some kind of PC adapter and a PC extension 
cord.  If you can't or don't want to do that, place a piece of tissue
paper (like Kleanex) or a piece of mylar drafting film or a commercial
flash softener over the flash head to reduce and soften the light.  The
latter two will reduce glare "hot spots" and reduce harse shadows. 
The on camera flash head could be aimed at the ceiling and just used
to trigger a more distant slave flash (again be careful of unwanted 
shadows), etc, etc, etc.  Check your Library for books on close-up
photography and look at the various methods used and especially the 
ways of getting uniform lighting. Tent lighting, ring lighting, etc.,
according to the result you are after.

As I do not own or have ready access to a TDC VIVID, I can't answer
your questions other than to say that the pictures in my references
do not show any hot shoe.  I would have thought that its flash connections
would be similiar to those of its little cousin, the View Master Personal
Stereo for which I have made a PC adapter.  Perhaps someone who owns
both can tell us if the thay have the same terminal and flash mounting 
screw.

Regards......Jim Motley......ex836@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  P.S.  After having this message ready to send, I looked at Digests
1154 and 1155 which just came in.  Bob Howard and Alan Lewis also
had comments.  Bob, will the VM Personal flash fit the Vivid?  And,
now Patrick, looks like you have some "homework" to do to isolate
your problems. ("homework"...pun intended :-)  )
.....Jim M.


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