Kodak vs. Realist?

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

I was asked how does the Kodak compare to the Realist and I
thought I would post my reply to photo-3d:

Kodak vs. Realist?  I am a Realist nut myself.  The Realist was 
introduced first in 1947.  The Kodak was introduced in 1954 and 
priced much lower than the Realist, capturing a big chunk of the 
market.  About equal numbers of the two were sold (130,000 Realist, 
110,000 Kodak vs. 60,000 all the rest 12+ models, total of 400,000 
50s stereo cameras).  Thanks to the large number of Realists and 
Kodaks, you can find both of those for a low price today.

Advantages of the Realist:  All metal construction.  More reliable
mechanically (shutter speeds are usually very accurate vs. Kodak's
infamous slow-shutter problem), easier to maintain/repair, more
durable (I've dropped and ran over with the car my camera and it
is still clicking!).  Advantages of the Kodak:  Lighter, more user-
friendly.  Many people love the Kodak for these reasons, plus for
the sharp pictures that it takes.  I have seen sharp pictures taken 
with both cameras.

Charles Piper in Installment #48 of his famous "Technical Pages" 
writes:

"The obvious first choice for a person who has never used any kind
of 35 mm camera is the Kodak Stereo, because it is so easy to learn
to use.  It has a plastic body, built-in level, automatic shutter
wind, simplified loading, and it is the only 35 mm stereo camera 
with a rewind crank.  For the more advanced stereographer, the
Stereo Realist, while lacking a level, does have a rangefinder,
speeds 1 - 1/150sec, and a metal body."

This is an accurate summary even though I don't agree that Kodak
is for beginners and Realist for advanced photographers.  I know
many advanced stereo photographers who use a Kodak and many
beginners (I was one, once) who stated with a Realist.  Both
cameras can be found for around $100-$125 in the used U.S. camera
market.  Instructions for their use are available from Reel-3D.
Thanks to their low price, any of these two cameras is a good 
first choice for getting started in 3D.

Regards -- George Themelis


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