Re: Kodak vs. Realist?

[P3D Mary Ann & Wolfgang Sell <vmmasell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

P3D Dr. George A. Themelis wrote:
> 
> 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
Personally, we really like the TDC Vivid.  Easy to use, great dof scale
for focus and very sharp lenses.  Also, it's set up just like the
View-Master Personal and you can switch from one to the other without
much change.  (We often use both formats).

Mary Ann & Wolfgang


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