Cheap viewers

[P3D Jim Roberts <xjim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I don't want to get into the big Cliff debate (I thought he was too unruly
at the last for polite discussions) but he did bring up some valid points.
In particular his rants on cheap viewers being better rings true, when 
viewed from a certain perspective.

I've begun to spend what I think is quite a lot of money on this hobby,
and don't regret it a bit (with a just a slight twinge when I consider
the whole three VM reels I have shot and mounted with my full market
price cutter and camera.)  However, when I first started trying 3D, I
spent $70 on a few items which included a Franka beamsplitter, and that 
was a LOT of money to me.  At my allowed budget at the time, there is 
just no way that I could have justified spending $150 on a viewer when
one was available for $3.  The $150 viewer is not 50 times better, or
maybe not even 5 times better, and I would undoubtedly get better
value for my money by buying other items.  For someone just getting started
and who is not really sure how much the hobby will mean to her, $100
for a Realist and $3 for a viewer will serve fine until the need for
more presents itself.  If photographed properly, those shots will look
better later when and if a good viewer can be obtained.  Certainly not
everyone is going to be cut out to be a stereophotographer.

On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE my Kodaslide II, and am keeping my 
eyes open for a Realist Red Button.  I gave some friends a $3 viewer and
some slides I shot of one of their parties, and they just loved them, but
when I took my Kodaslide over to them for a viewing, they exclaimed "It's
like I'm standing there!"  The difference is incredible, and a good viewer
should be _very_ high on the priority list when more money is allocated.

My buck/50

Jim



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