Settings on Realist for Outdoor Pictures

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tim Smith mentioned the red marks on Realist cameras.  Here is what's
written about them in the "Stereo Realist Manual Book":
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If you don't want to bother focusing or using an exposure meter,
you can use the following settings for all average outdoor pictures
in daylight:

a) Shutter speed at 50
b) Focusing at 20 feet
c) Aperture at f/6.3 (midway between f/5.6 and f/8)

You will get good pictures all the time at these settings if it is an
average sunny day and you keep the sun at your back... These simple
settings have become known as The Three R's in Outdoor Stereo
Photography ever since they have been marked in red on recent
cameras.  Anyone can use The Three R's for foolproof pictures
taken outdoors in good weather.
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A couple of comments here:

1. Equivalent exposure at f16 will need a shutter speed of 1/10.
   This "sunny day rule" was aimed at ASA 10 Kodachrome.

2. Given that the recommended aperture on a sunny day was f/6.3 
   it's no surprise that so many pictures from the 50s have out
   of focus backgrounds or are blurred (what do you do when it is
   not sunny???)

4. For a modern ASA film the sunny day rule of f/16, 1/100 and 
   focusing at 10 to 15 feet is much easier to work with!

5. Jon Orovitz makes some good points when he writes in his under-
   preparation book "3-D Photography in the Nineties" (which I was 
   fortunate to preview - more on that later):
 
   "Why do I use a 40-year-old camera for 3-D?  Good question...
   Today, almost 50 years after the first Stereo Realist camera
   came out off the production line, a Stereo Realist takes better
   3-D pictures than when it was new.  Some technological problems
   of the early 1950s have been solved.  Since then, color film has
   improved in speed and color rendition.  Contemporary light meters
   are better and automatic electronic flashes have replaced flash
   bulbs.  Today's filters, polarizers, slide mounts and even 
   projection screens are better..."

Even in my area of specialty (viewers) there are new brighter and
longer-lasting light bulbs (frosted too!) newer batteries that don't
leak, last longer and support higher loads.  But the most significant
change is the film.  Can you imagine using an ASA 10 film that wants
you to use f/6.3 on a sunny day?  A tripod must be your best friend...

I agree with Jon.  There has never been a better time for 3-d!

George Themelis


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