Re: "Collecting" vs. "Owing and not using"

[michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Kersenbrock)]

> The same old story happens again and again.  We first start with a lowly
> Realist 3.5 camera and a plastic viewer.  We then look for a better
> viewer, say a red-button.  Now we need yet another viewer... you know, you
> can never have too many viewers around... How about a sequential viewer? 
> Yes, definitely, a sequential viewer is what we need.  But is the Realist
> 3.5 the best camera we can have?  How about a Revere, TDC Colorist, Kodak? 
> Some experts speak highly for the TDC Vivid.  We have to have one of those
> too.  Even for the die-hard Realist users we have the 2.8, 2.8 Ektar
> lenses, 2.8 German lenses and, of course, the Custom.  Let's talk about

Wouldn't it be nice for an independent equipped-testing lab publish a 
Consumer Reports like summary of all the stereo cameras and variations?  Was
CR around then?  Nice *ranking* of each with colored-in dots for different
properties, etc.

> accessories now... We need a case for sure... And a pair of filters.  These
> are a nessecity.  How about wide-angle attachments, custom polarizers,
> sun-shades?  We have to have everything or our photography (what
> photography? no money left for film and processing) will be disadvantaged...

A slight exaggeration.  Film and processing is "pocket-change" compared to the
rest.... sigh.  :-)

My scarcest resource is: TIME!  Where can I buy some extra?  They take VISA?

> I think most "users" are more collectors than users but they will never
> admit it. 

I'm about a thirdway through the development-cycle described.  I still
want/need a sequential viewer, and my spendiest working stereo camera
is a $150 one.  Still *lots* of room to grow. :-)

In the batch of five rolls of stereo film I just got back from
Kodalux, I exposed them in four different cameras.  Only one gathering
dust is my Realist 2.8 with jammed/stuck focussing knob and a basket-case
(innards frozen) Kin-dar I recently got "for a song" -- hope to open it up
"for fun" (little to lose).  Why have more than one camera?  Why have more than
one cat or kid?  They are different and one can have fun having different
ones!  So, is a stereo camera like a spouse (only one allowed) or like a
pet/kid/etc where one may be okay, but more can be fun?

> 
> I understand collecting images... But collecting cameras and accessories
> just in case we ever need them is an entirely different issue...

I'm not sure I see the distinction between being a collector of images
and a collector of historical photo technology items.  Both are collecting,
just as stamp collecting is collecting. Or depression glass collecting, etc.
I've just started "collecting" Tru-vue strips ("historical photo technology
items" or "images"?).  I don't have many, but it's fun.  Same for VM reels.
What's the difference?

> I personally own one Realist ("if it breaks I'll buy a new one") camera (no
> case - it gets in the way) and two viewers... That's all I need.

I'm still a user in collector-denial stage.  But I don't think there is
anything wrong with being a collector.  I've already mentioned my $4 
Bantam 828-film camera, so maybe I'm a camera collector too.  Sigh....

> 
> George Themelis


Mike K.


P.S. - Anybody know how to open up a Kin-Dar or have a service manual
       for it that I can borrow or get a copy of?



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