Re: Leaky Realists etc.

[P3D Carrano, Allan <allan.carrano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that there was another potential
source for a light leak in Realist stereo cameras, other than a loose
fitting back cover.  I searched some through the various Realist
literature I have at home and all I could come up with was something in
Ed Romney's Realist Repair manual.

While nothing is mentioned by Romney of light leaks, he does refer in
one of the photos in the manual to a "light trap" material at the top of
the film take-up spool.  It looks to be a foam insulation type of
material.  Somewhere in the distant past (sorry, I can't recall the
source), someone told me that light leaks can occur at the focus wheel -
camera body connection.  The "light trap" material in the Romney photo
would seem to corroborate such a contention.  The problem I have with
that hypothesis is that the only time I've ever seen such a light trap
was in the photo I'm referencing to.  I've owned, and have had several
Realists pass my way, and I have never seen the light trap in the flesh.

Romney does say that the camera in the photos is a very early model -
May, 1947 vintage.  Perhaps the light trap was found unnecessary, or the
problem was corrected in design early on.  Then again, maybe it never
was there in the first place.  The material might have been the attempt
of the previous owner to cure his light leak problem.  

Excuse the pun, but can anybody shed some light on this?  :-)

Allan C.



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