RBT cameras, projectors, and mounts

[P3D Elliott Swanson <e3d@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Sort of a Consumer Reports post...


MOUNTS I've been using RBT mounts, and enjoy them very much. They're fast
to use. One weakness is the thickness of the mask, which causes the image
to reflect in the bevel around the window. Not a problem when projecting,
but annoying when viewing. They ought to fix the injection mold tool to at
least have a matte surface on the bevel to cut reflection. Another
weakness is that the glass version has only one side glass available--
e.g. they're no good for keeping people's grubby fingers off your slides
when sending them out on circuits. Still, warts and all, a great product.
I recently bought 7 boxes of 'em.

PROJECTOR I know one person with the RBT projector, and he knows someone
with one.  I've used the machine. It's substantially built, but the
operation is quirky, especially regarding the auto-focus mechanism. I
managed to get it working after a fashion. The owner, who has gone thru
the manual, has frequent auto-focus problems, and this seems to be the
same problem in the one his friend has. (I'm going to leave personal names
out of this.) My buddy with the RBT also has TWO Brackett dissolve
projectors! The mechanical advance is a strong feature of the RBT, however
even that showed some signs of instability during operation. It's the
Brackett that does the club shows. (From looking at the plugs, the RBT
projectors can be slaved to dissolve project-- at the princely sum of
over $5000 for two machines!)  I would caution anyone considering this
level of cash outlay to try for a Brackett over an RBT, if they're still
available.  If I had that kind of money to spend, there's no question--
I'd buy the most recent rev (#3?) of the Brackett, which incorporates all
the design upgrades learned from rev 1 and 2. 

CAMERA
In a recent issue of the UK publication Journal (sorry, don't know the
exact issue-- I only have a photocopy, given to me by the person who owns
the RBT and Brackett projectors, and who decided not to buy an RBT
camera!) there is an extensive article on the RBT called "The RBT Camera--
Trials and Tribulations" by Mike Fisher FRPS. This man has in-depth
technical knowledge, and has built his own spliced 35mm stereo cameras,
some from scratch, some from conversion, including zoom lens linkage. He
discusses the A, B, and C variants of the RBT. Fisher writes, "During the
two years I have been in possession of my RBT camera I have thought of
several phrases, not all of them complimentary, which the letters RBT
could represent. Perhaps "A Really Brave Try" would be most diplomatic. My
extensive background in photographic technology enables me to give a
detailed appraisal of this camera, and also to devise ways of getting
around some of the mishaps that have occurred..." He describes how to
fabricate parts to fix some of the problems.  I would caution anyone
interested in the RBT to read this article first.  There are newer models
of the RBT out which are not described. Maybe the problems have been
remedied in the new cameras. I would certainly want to see a review from
someone with Fisher's knowledge who torture tested the camera being
considered for purchase-- just taking a few snapshots and saying "wow!"
doesn't count. 


--Elliott Swanson


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