Custom 3D cameras from Germany (also known as RBT)

[P3D John D. Roll <johnroll@xxxxxxx>]

Dana Archer writes:
"If anyone has any experience with the custom 35mm stereo cameras from
Germany please give me your opinions and recommendations."

RBT is the company in Germany making custom built stereo cameras.  My
experience has been with the RBT S1 camera which is two Konica Hexar cameras
spliced together.  This camera can be described as a "professional point and
shoot camera".  The focal length is 35mm, f2.0, seven element lenses  and
the lenses are not interchangeable as with their other models.  I doubt that
I have seen sharper images from any other stereo camera.  I have seen the
same scene taken with the RBT S1 and RBT's yashica stereo camera with 35mm
zeiss lenses.  I was surprised at the noticable improvement in clarity of
the image with the RBT S1.  The color in the slides were much better.  I
also shoot with twin minoltas and I have noticed the same improvement with
similar scenes.  When I compare similar scenes, I notice that with the
Minolta lenses that white subjects such as shirts or snow have a slight
yellow tint when compared to the Konica Hexar lens.  I certainly don't think
the Minolta lens is inferior by today's standards, I think the Konica lenses
are just excellent.  I do not believe that there is a stereo camera made
that can give you better image quality.  I recently was able to test out a
Hectron camera which is two Nikon FG20 cameras spliced together.  I used
50mm Ai lenses, 50 mm Ais lenses, and 35 mm Ai lenses, which are of mid
1980's vintage.  It was obvious to my wife which were taken with the S1 and
which were with the nikkor lenses.
        Now for the down side of the S1.  You get what you pay for and you
pay for what you get.  By almost all people's standards the camera is
expensive.  It is a custom built camera which is subject to all the regular
problems a camera can have, and in addition it is subject to problems as a
result of the modifications.  The stereo base is 59mm (my interpupillary
distance is 61mm so this camera matches my "base" more than any other camera
that I am aware of.)  The camera advances 20 perforations with each
exposure, therefore there is a half frame wasted with each exposure.  You
can get 15 stereo pairs on a 36 exposure roll.  You are better off having
the film processed only and cutting it yourself.  My local dark room did
mount a roll or two for me at first.  Sherry looked at me and said she would
have to charge me extra in the future.  She was very happy when I said I
would cut them myself to save her the trouble.  I had a problem on several
rolls where the film only advanced 16 perforations instead of the usual 20.
This totally ruins the images.  In less than a month I had the camera
repaired and returned to me.  I have only shot one roll thru it since I got
it back and had no problem.  A friend of mine who also subscribes to the P3D
recently had the same problem with his S1, but it is intermittent in nature
(as mine was) and has not sent it for repair yet.
        Another friend of mine has the Yashica RBT camera and loves it.  He
has not had any problems in the 3 years he has used it.  He originally
ordered the Ricoh RBT camera and sent it back because it did not work.
        I also use their slide mounts and I use their projector which I love.
        I have given you some facts and my opinions.  I am sure you can tell
which is which.  As to my recommendations, I would recommend RBT cameras to
anyone who will use it enough to justify the expense.  You need to have an
understanding that they are custom cameras, which take a while to build.
The people of RBT still have their day jobs, so you can't expect instant
responses and results.  I have visited their "factory" and had a wonderful
visit.  They are very nice good people.  In addition I think they must be
commended for their work and commitment to stereo photography.  These people
are not going to get rich from this when you see how much work goes into
their equipment.  They have an obvious love for stereo photography and I am
grateful that they have made quality stereo photography equipment available
to us. 
John Roll,Rockford, IL, USA


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