Mags,Cameras and ethics

[P3D Sam Smith <sam@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree 100% with those who say old photo magazines should be preserved in
their original state. Those that cut up library material should be shot
rather than fined. In the same breath, I have to confess I have  a scrapbook
of 3D clippings from old mags which I indeed was the guilty party doing the
mag hacking. But before I get flamed and burn in hell, let me explain.
A used camera store I was once associated with came into posession of a
large collection of photo magazines from the 1930s  to the 1970s. All
Popular Photography, most of the American Photography, Modern Photography,
US Camera and Photography magazines. As he was a dealer, his job was to find
a buyer for his goods, and a lot of them were sold. After being on the
market for some time with no other buyers and space became limited, he put
them in my hands to dispose of. After contacting local clubs and libraries,
literally trying to give them away at shows, and letting out word to all who
may be interested, I was still left with a big pile of mags nobody wanted.
Rather than throw them all in the dump, I decided to keep about 50 of the
best intact, and the rest I salvaged for the ads.

If I hadn't done this, the owner would simply sent them to the local
landfill. Since then, I've have many requests for the ads, which I provide
copies free of charge. They are still being used and are a great reference
library.

Some may argue that old cameras should follow the same ethics and be left
unaltered from their original state. I mercilessly rip apart cameras I find
at shows and garage sales, but it's not because I'm a photo sadist: It's
because I make them into something more useful: stereo cameras. Same goes
with stereo camera or viewer modifications. If it makes them more useful,
and they aren't the last of a dying species, I say go for it. 

Perhaps Dr.T, one of the other 3D surgeons has more to add.....


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