Re: Video on mounting slides?

[P3D Gregory J. Wageman <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

The dear Dr. writes:

>I must confess that I do not use a light table, I do not use mounting
>gauges and I do enjoy mounting slides.  The slides from my Realist are
>a no-brainer.  The SLR slides are aligned by a quick trial and error
>checking the borders of the mount.  Window is also set by a quick
>trial and error.  I do not measure anything.  I do not have curmudgeon's
>(?) Charles Piper's bible with me here but I believe he said that
>experienced photographers mount like that.  I have learned how to mount
>fast and efficiently by experience and practice.  I honestly believe
>that mounting is easy and only a matter of practice.  I am trying to 
>encourage people to try their own mounting because it is not as 
>difficult or complicated as some people claim.  I understand a video
>on how to repair a Realist camera, but a video on how to mount slides
>seemed a bit exaggerated to me.   But, I might be wrong... If a video
>will convince the beginner to try slide mounting then let's have it!

You've forgotten what it's like to be a beginner.  Beginners are full
of self-doubt and worry.  Especially us engineering types, we like to
do our research before we take the plunge.  So a survey of the materials,
of all the things beginners are likely to read about eventually in
catalogs and on this list and elsewhere, helps dispel that feeling of
"Oh no!  I've missed something!  Some other option/gadget I haven't
heard of that might be better than what I'm using!  I might be doing
it wrong!".

Reel-3D offers a mount sampler pack for a reason.  I tried one and
decided they all have their uses.  I use a small light box because it
makes it easier for me to see to cut the chips properly, and it's
convenient to view the slide while mounting it.  I have an alignment
guage, but rarely use it, unless I'm using Albion mounts (rare).  The
cardboard heat-seals (my mount of choice for most work) don't allow
much horizontal adjustment, and I'm not so fussy about window placement
as some folks.

However, I do know *of* all these things and I know what they're for
and I think it's a bad attitude to say, condescendingly, "Oh, don't
worry about all that stuff, you don't need to know about it."  I
favor letting people know as much as possible, and then let them come
to their own conclusions about what's best.

Knowlege is power.

	-Greg


------------------------------