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Realist format vs. what?


  • From: P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Subject: Realist format vs. what?
  • Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 09:07:15 -0400

Gabriel Jacob writes:

>I realize most 3d people prefer the Realist format and its the
>standard but for the life of me I still don't understand that...

What don't you understand?  Why do people prefer the Realist format?  
Versus what?  What else is out there?  Viewmaster?  Full-frame 2x2 
stereo pairs?  OK, I'll tell you why...

How many full-frame stereo cameras are out there that I can go and buy?  
How many different full-frame stereo cameras can I go and buy for around 
$100?  The answer is: None.  How many full-frame self-illuminated stereo 
slide viewers with achromatic lenses can I find?  Again, none.  

On the other hand, there are plenty of cheap Realist and Kodak stereo 
cameras in the US used-camera market.  There are plenty of good stereo 
viewers, projectors and other accessories.  That explains why the 
Realist format is so popular today, in the US at least.  Obviously, we 
are using the leftovers from the 3d boom of the 50s.  Unless someone 
comes out with a complete stereo system, including camera, viewer and 
projector, that is affordable and becomes popular, the "Realist format" 
will be the universal standard.

Now, when I talk about "Realist-format" I don't mean the Realist image 
size necessarily (5-p).  I mean the standard 101 mm x 41 mm frame that 
takes both pairs.  You can mount almost any 35 mm film image, from 
half-frame Nimslo to full-frame SLR in one of those mounts today.  I do 
a fair amount of single and twin camera stereo work and mount all my 
slides in these frames.  Then I can view my slides with the same viewer, 
project them with the same projector, share them with others, enter them 
in slide competitions in Detroit and PSA, etc.

This is still a universal language.  Realist-format cameras and 
equipment are still widely available in the US and they are the cheapest 
to buy and the most convenient to use.  But, for me, the question is not 
Realist (or image size) format vs. the larger full-frame pair, but how 
do you mount and view/project these images.  

George Themelis


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