3-D for the rich... only?

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

Hi!  My summer vacation is over.  My parents were visiting from Greece
(first time for my dad) and stayed with us for a month.  Together we
went for a short tour of the US, including NY, Chicago, Cleveland,
Niagara Falls, Las Vegas and vicinity, San Diego, Los Angeles.

Result?  22 rolls (36 exp.) of 3-d slide film, 16 Realist & 6 twin SLR.

I am almost done mounting and got to think about the cost.  Depending
on the cost of film, processing and mounting supplies, the total cost
can be from $10 to $25 per roll (personal labor excluded).  In my case,
it is about $18/roll, which brings the total cost of my 3-d photography
to $400 for the last month.

That's a lot of money, isn't?  Or is it not?  

Sounds like a lot of money, but it's not.  A 2-d photographer with a
passion for photography would have spent the same amount of money on
film, prints, enlargements and supplies.  Plus, the 2-d photographer
will always be tempted with the latest line of photographic equipment.
I am happy with my 45 year old Realist.  Jerry Gore asked about
accessories for the Realist.  I have good news for you Jerry:  There
aren't any!  Any of any significance to your photography, to be
specific.  My Realist does not have a lens cover, or a case.  That 
has not stopped me from shooting plenty of film.  A good VIEWER is 
the number one accessory, IMO.  Helps see your photography with a 
critical eye and enjoy the good results.  Save your money to spend 
on film.

Back to the cost.  OK, 3-d is not cheap.  I spend about $1000 a year
on film, processing and mounting supplies.  That's a lot of money, but
consider this:  In many cases that cost is just a fraction of the total
vacation cost (traveling, etc.)  The one week Las Vegas/California 
trip cost me $1000 and got 10 rolls of 3-d slides out of it.  Now the
trip is history... The money that I spent on hotels, cars, air 
tickets, etc., are gone.  Yes, we had a good time, but the good 
memories will soon fade away.  What will not fade away (not soon,
I hope!) are the 200 stereo slides that I brought back with me.  
The best part of the trip for me now are those 200  slides.  Well 
worth the price, IMO.  Any price!

To conclude:  Taking 3-d pictures is a fun and exciting hobby.  Like
many good things in life, it comes with a price tag.  The cost is in
line with doing 2-d photography or being involved in other hobbies.
Cheap film, processing, mounting supplies, are available.  Don't let
the cost slow you down!  Go for it!  It's worth it!!!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

George Themelis from Cleveland OH where the bicentenial clebrations
are starting tonight!


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 1422
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