new lamps for old...

[Elliott Swanson <elliott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Excuse the long quote, but it's necessary to retain context.

If it meets with someone's priorities, an RBT would be within the means of
most of the people on this list. You just have to decide what you are
willing to sacrifice. Give up lattes. Walk to work. Etc. However, with all
the dirt cheap vintage gear around, no one has to suffer for lack of a
good 3D camera. Lucky for us, most people in the larger world of
photography consider stereo an abberation. Thus the cameras have
relatively little value unless scarcity has driven their value as objects
to collectors. So far, good cameras like the basic model Realist have
proven immune to this process. For stereophiles, no one really needs a new
camera, because there are so many good vintage ones out there. And there
are people like Zak who can fix them if you can't. 

If a person wants modern cameras/lenses/controls, then slave two 35mms.
It's easy to do, and cheap if you buy thru Shutterbug or camera shows. 

If anyone thinks the ultimate stereo camera that's been discussed lately 
will be cheap, forget that. Such a camera will not be cheaper than an 
RBT. Trust me. The only market for the ultimate 3D camera is from nuts 
like us, and there aren't enough of us to produce it in the quantities 
necessary to make it cheap.

This whole thing confounds me. What's the big deal? I'm inclined to think 
it's just a case of technology lust.

Also, the better you get fixing cameras yourself, the larger your camera 
arsenal can become without putting out big bucks.

And with cheap digital cameras that have the resolution of film just
around the corner, the whole issue is even less relevant. Like George
says, go buy a Realist. Or stick a couple of 35mm slrs on a Jasper
Engineering bar. Or borrow against your life insurance and get an RBT. I 
want an RBT S1, but I'm unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to 
pay for it. (Physical safety might be another factor on the domestic 
front... :) Don't worry. Be happy. Take pictures.

--Elliott

Michael Kersenbrock wrote:
 
> Note: One *can* go and buy brand new stereo cameras to your heart's 
content,
>       but you can't buy a new realist
 
Without intending to inordinately prolong the agony of this discussion, which
new
stereo cameras we can go out and buy to content our hearts?
 
Lenticulars (nee disposible P&Ss)? FEDs (not really available any longer, and
spotty
when they were available)? RBTs (not exactly within most people means)? 
Or do
you mean
twin rigs, which are hardly "stereo cameras" as far as location work goes?
 
Help!
 
 
Eric G.


------------------------------