Re: RBT and the Realist Custom

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>IMO, the star 
>of the show was work produced by a guy named David Stuckey. His topic was bushwalking in the 
>national parks that surround Sydney and his presentation was nothing short of amazing. The 
>camera used was RBT, the projectors dual RBT sync'ed to music ( good choice of music ).
>
>	After seeing David's presentation I began to wonder if a Realist camera could ever match 
>the quality of an RBT image. The most obvious difference between the two is the image format but 
>beyond that I noticed that the RBT appeared to have greater image contrast. I like the Realist 
>format and would like to get the most out of my camera. I also like to bushwalk and find the 
>Realist camera to be physically about the right size to store in a backpack. The only thing that 
>seems amiss is, perhaps, the Realists ability to produce a strong image with good contrast.

>John Arrowsmith >Australia

Dear John and photo-3d readers... You are bringing an interesting subject
for discussion.  I am using a Realist and twin SLRs in my stereo
photography.  From my, rater limitted experience, with stereo projection
and slide competitions, I have formed the following impressions:

1. There are more factors to good photography than camera and lenses...  First,
it is the photographer... This fellow, David Stuckey, who I don't know (and
I have not seen his pictures), must be a rather dedicated stereo
photographer, to decide to buy an expensive RBT stereo camera... Putting
together a slide presentation with sound is no easy task either.  So, this
guy knows what he is doing and I would expect good work coming from him.

2. Second, there is the film factor... If his images appear more contrasty,
perhaps you should ask him what film he is using... I would not be
surprised to hear that he is using the current contrasty E-6 films (Velvia,
etc).

3. Regarding the image size, I brought this subject for discussion a few
months ago.  Larger image (7p or full-frame) does have a slight advantage
over the more narrow Realist (5p) size.  If the screen is set to fill the
full frame and the Realist is projected together with larger formats, then
the wider formats have an advantage over the Realist.  Some subjects (like
scenics, national parks, etc.) can be better recorded in a landscape
format.  But many subjects are captured very well in a square format and I
crop many of my full frame SLR stereos in 5-p mounts. 

4. Regarding lens resolution, etc., first I have not seen a difference
between my Realist and SLR slides taken with a variety of Minolta lenses. 
Second, even if the SLR lenses are sharper, you cannot see the difference
in projection.

5. Regarding contrast, I have found my Realist lenses to be as constrasty
as the SLR lenses... I use the same film in both cameras and cannot say
that the SLR lenses result in more contrasty pictures.

6. Regarding convenience, flexibility, variety, etc., I use my SLRs in
special situations where I need hyperstereo, long or short lenses or wider
images.  The Realist is very convenient to carry at all times and pull out
and shoot at an instant, as it is essentially a point-and-shoot camera. 
The SLRs take considerable longer time to set and they are very
inconvenient to carry.

I have seen and taken a veriety of pictures and I strongly feel that the
Realist (or any other stereo camera of that compact size) is a fine tool
for everyday photography and beyond.  Twin SLRs are special tools that will
give you an edge in certain situations.  RBT type joined stereo cameras, if
you can afford them, are in-between, a little less convenient to carry and
use, but offering wider formats and lens' selection.

To improve your photography with your Realist I'd recommend that you
experiment with different films and shooting situations.  The lens' shades
will not improve contrast to the degree you would expect... Polarizing
filters, maybe, but I have not felt a need for using them.

Above all, it is the photographer behind the pictures... Certain tools
(macro Realist, etc.) will create unusual pictures that look very
interesting at first... I was very impressed with my first 7-p SLR images,
hyperstereos, etc., but after the novelty wears out, it's up to the
photographer to keep creating interesting images...

Hope that this helps! -- George Themelis

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Dr. T. goes WEB!!!
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