Dalia and the Brick...

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Yes, I do take stereo pictures.  I don't use the brick...

Shouldn't we capitalize this, i.e. "Brick"?  Talking about the Brick, I see
that Dalia has some "nasty" stuff written in her catalog...

"Realist Cons... Extremely awkward to use; awkward to hold; depending on
the model, has 3 or 4 separate actions between shots (buttons to push,
knobs to turn, levers to slide, levers to pull & push);"

!!!!  Well, let me make a slight correction to this otherwise accurate
description:  There are only (!) 3 actions, and do _not_ depend on the
model:

Action #1:  Push the advance release button
Action #2:  Rotate knob to advance film
Action #3:  Slide lever to cock shutter for next shot.

There are no levers to pull unless if you want to _intentionally_ double
expose in later Realist models that do have the double-exposure prevention
button.  But, in most cases, you don't want to do that.  Other cameras have
a separate action for double-exposing too.  Unfortunately, most modern 
cameras do not have a double-exposure capability.  Those who have taken
accidental double exposures in early Realists know that double exposures
can be great fun!

Admittedly, these 3 actions are two too many!  Most other cameras (modern
SLRs without motors too) use one action to do all three.  In my mind, I
like them (yes, I did say _I_like_them) the way they are separated because
advancing the film and cocking the shutter are two totally different
mechanical actions.  Once you get used to these motions, there is no
problem.

I advice people to do #1 and 2 right after they take the shot and #3 just
before they take the next one.  The reason being that after you cock the
shutter you should not change the shutter speeds.  Also, if the camera is
not used, it is better if the shutter is left uncocked.  If you cock the
shutter and then change your mind and want to change the shutter speed then
do what Patrick B. suggested:  Cover the lenses, fire the camera and then
proceed as in a double-exposure.

I hope that Dalia will put things straight in her next catalog or I'll have
the "Realist Fan Club" write nasty letters to her!

George Themelis, proud owner and heavy user of a 2.8 Brick...


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