New RBT cameras

[P3D Donald Wratten <101752.1135@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm a little surprised that no-one - to the best of my knowledge (? Alex
Klein; Jon Golden) - has yet mentioned the new cameras unveiled by RBT at
Photokina in Cologne last September.    They sent me a copy of their press
release, in German, beforehand; but I've only just received details in
English.    Excuse me if I've missed something on the net, but for those
who do not know and who may be interested the details are as follows.

As well as the models S1 (Types A and B), Yashica 109 (Variants A and B)
and 
X2 (Variants A, B and C) - which are continuing in production - they have
launched two new models:-
RBT X3 (based on the Ricoh XRF 3PF).    This is a new top-of-the-range
model, similar to the X2 but with a number of added features which are part
of the base camera specification: eg, spot as well as centered metering;
stop-down preview mode; built-in flash, with TTL measurement and red-eye
reduction.     Three variants (as for the X2).    Price with coupled Tokina
zoom lens c. DM.4000 - 4300 according to model, excluding European tax.
RBT X4.    This is a new 'budget-level' camera said to be based on the
'Carena 100SX' SLR - a camera model I don't recognise, but possibly the
same as a Cosina.   From the illustration, the camera seems to be
engineered to the same sort of conversion as the other models and to have
all the basic essential features without any frills.    Eg, manual exposure
settings with LED readouts in the viewfinder; shutters 1 - 1/500s,
split-image reflex focussing, X-flash contact   There are two variants: A
(65mm base with 24/33mm format);  B (75mm base with full format 24/36mm),
price the same for each.     They are going to be sold as a package
complete with coupled 35-70mm Carenar zoom lenses and leather camera bag
for about DM.2200 which seems really good value given the quality of RBT
engineering.    The unknown factor is the quality of the base camera and
the zoom lenses.

I've faxed RBT for more details, but they are notoriously difficult to
communicate with in English.    Maybe Alex Klein has more information.   
I'm going to Paris later this week to participate in the big French stereo
congress; possibly RBT will be represented there.

PS:  To George Themelis.    At age 71, am I a complete anomaly on this
list? ;-).  By the way, we've just recruited a member in Greece (Dimitris
Ponirakis, of Athens).

PPS:  To whoever is collecting Belplasca numbers:  mine is 6622.

Don Wratten
President, The Stereoscopic Society


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