Belplasca vs. Realist body

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Eric G. while discussing some problems with the engineering of the 
Belplasca body, he writes the following:

>But the body has to be engineered and fabricated well
>enough to perform its essential tasks reliably:
>
>- consistent lens positioning for focus (the aluminum focus mount is a
>weak point on belplascas and can fail)
>- a light tight box (some problems here. Not to mention the door latch
>which is prone to accidental opening)
>- a bright, accurate finder (belps are prone to viewfinder clouding)
>- convenient carriage (the camera lacks strap lugs)

Eric has a good point, the camera body is important too, but I don't
see any problems with the Belplasca body.  Certainly not more than the 
Realist body.

I have examined two Belplascas and there were both functioning well
mechanically.  Have not felt that the door latch is prone to accidental
opening.  The viewfinder was cloudy in one but managed fo fix it after
reading the discussions in photo-3d (thank you Patrick et al.!)
Straps lugs have not been an issue as I carry the camera the same
way that I do my Realist, in a camera case or a pocket (yes, I do
have big pockets!) without a case or strap.

Now, should we talk about the Realist? I addition to being aesthetically
unattractive and user-unfriendly (that's what others claim!) it has a
series of frequent maintenance problems that need to be taken care of
like cleaning viewfinder and rangefinder windows, aligning the
rangefinder, etc.  I suffers from frequent and severe light leaks.
It suffers from frequent frame overlapping.  (These two problems have
spoiled good pictures for many stereo photographers).  Cannot use a
modern flash without an adapter of modification.  Earlier models will
let you double-exposure, no questions asked.  And why is the shutter
button in the left side remains a mystery to me.  This makes it
impossible to use with a modern flash bracket.

Wow!

Should we talk about the Kodak now?  Maybe not... My point is that
the result of the "crazed communist market and ignorant economic system" 
Belplasca looks like a simple but reliable (mechanically) camera with 
great optics, as reliable as the crown of our US capitalism, Realist, if 
not more.  Realist was in production for many years and yet no redesign 
took place (unless if we call the addition of the double-exposure 
prevention button a redesign) typical of the "let's not touch it if it 
makes money" mentality.

Repards,  George Themelis

PS.  Is it time to sign off from the "Brick is Wonderful" club and join
the "Belplasca for Sharper 7p Images" society? ;) ;) ;)


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