Re: EMDE masks

[P3D emdesher <emdesher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 29 Sep 1996, P3D Erlys Jedlicka wrote:

> Dennis,
> 
> I would certainly buy your new EMDE masks if they were available. My 
> only problem would be the fold-over mounts. I couldn't reuse them 
> without having the front snap off.
> 
> Why can't anybody come up with a design that approximates the old Realist 
> masks? I use them, first of all, for cutting a strip (I use scissors) and 
> placing my chips into something that can be immediately viewed, even 
> before I decide whether I'm keeping them. The aluminum holders can be 
> dropped into my viewer immediately, and the slides can be saved this way 
> until later. The chips are easy to move horizontally, and I can even use 
> full-size chips even though the window is designed for Realist chips.
> 
> Was there a copyright on the Realist design? Or is it just too hard to 
> make? I'm curious.  Erlys
> 
> 
Dear Erlys
Yes it's true that an EMDE mask cannot be reused.  However, you can 
insert the bottom half of an unfolded mask into your viewer in order to 
preview your picture.  Concerning the Stereo Realist mask, the press and 
dies are still existent, however their condition is unknown.  Anything 
could be restored IF someone is willing to invest enough money.  A major 
stumbling block with this mask is that the specific aluminum foil needed 
is no longer readily available.  Aluminum special orders, made to the specs 
needed, are very, very expensive.  The resulting masks would be very costly.
And we are simply considering repairing old equipment; if new 
machinery had to be designed and custom built, the cost would be staggering.
The last production runs were plagued with a high defect rate.  The 
foldover feature is very important for glass mounted slides, as that's 
the only practical way to prevent Newton's rings.  Even the Realist mask, 
excellent as it was, was not immune to getting rings.  Rights to the 
"Realist" trademark belong to Ron Zakowski.
Dennis Sherwood


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