Answers about RBT to the List

[P3D <JGoldenRRP@xxxxxxx>]

Don Wratten wrote::
>>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 in 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.
>>Don Wratten
President, The Stereoscopic Society

Don...thanks for the posting, I'll speak for myself....but I think Alex will
agree that the reason we have not promoted the new RBT cameras is because
they are not available quite yet, ...and until they are tested and evaluated
to RBT an the distributors satisfaction....we are not in need of spending
time talking about them.  RBT is a small company and does not have th
resources to promote like larger camera manufacturers, who have to create
huge momentum for their seasonal production runs.
In fact RBT has been working on a high quality viewer as well....but it wont
be available for a while...so discussion is kept to a minimum.  I take names
for a mailing, but cant offer more than that until we see some hard facts and
a viewer in our hand.

In general RBT will not respond to direct requests...it is better to contact
a distributor like Alex or myself ....and feel free to
do so.  Regar-D-D-D-s Jon Golden RBT USA


------------------------------