RBT review (and camera reviews in general)

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

Elliott Swanson reports on RBT products and refers to a review by Fisher of
RBT cameras in the Journal of the Stereoscopic Society (England).  I have
not read the review but will do so soon.  Apparently, from what I gather
from Elliott s posting, the review is not very complimentary of certain RBT
camera (s).  In conclusion Elliott writes:

>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.

It would be nice to see this, but it is not practical.  RBT will not give
a camera to torture and if I am the owner of such expensive camera I will
treat it nicely and will not torture it.  I have ran my Realist over with
my car and I can tell you that it survived.  I would not want to do the same
test with an RBT camera.

But, why  doesn't count ?  What is the purpose of a camera review?  I had
an RBT S1 in my possession for 3 weeks and shot 8 rolls of film with it. 
Snapshots?  To a certain extend yes, but so what?  I read the instruction
manual carefully and tested the camera under different modes and for
different subjects and shooting conditions.  I have reported on my
experience here (would like to think that it went beyond "wow") and will
report further in Stereo World and elsewhere.  I will try and give, as much
as possible, an objective opinion of what the camera can do for you.  That's
all I can do given the length of time that I had the camera and the
extend of work I did with it.  That's good information IMO and in-line with
most product reviews we see in photographic magazines.  It can help a
future buyer of the camera form, at least as a starting point, a good
opinion of what the camera is and what it does.  

Camera owners usually supplement these reviews with their experiences and
opinions in free forums like this one (John Roll has already given us a
short review of RBT cameras, including the S1).  Reports like "a friend of
a friend has one of those and said this and that", or "I used this once and
this is what I found" are also part of the equation and could be taken into
account when considering the purchase of an expensive item but be careful
to weigh each opinion appropriately.  Try and get as many facts/opinions as
possible.  Do not base everything in one person's opinion (positive or
negative).  After you collect all the information use your judgment to
decide what's important for you.  And, if you decide and buy it, add your
own experience/opinion by letting us know what YOU think!

Regards -- George Themelis


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