RBT cameras and projectors: clarification & humor

[P3D <JGoldenRRP@xxxxxxx>]

I'll start seriously...and get humorous at the end...if anyone lasts that
long...here we go!

>>Elliot Swanson said:
RBT PROJECTOR- 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.

Elliot, I agree....we do the same for Stereo New England, and I would not use
the RBT for club shows and open projection because of the single slide
spontaneity you get using the Brackett....of which I own the Vers. 3, and
just sold the Vers.2 to another club member.  The RBT is a fine machine,  to
those that know them well and how to use them, it is not a problem, and we
would be happy to help with the learning process, and twice we offered when
we spoke to the owner you referred to, but the opportunity has not been taken
up by that person as of the present.   The other person who has the autofocus
problem, we are correcting that, as it seems to be a remote control that is
in need of replacement.   These are factors that you dont have with a
Brackett as it is a "totally manual machine"....and that is the genius of Bob
Bracketts design, simplicity and reliability.
 As for open projection...or as I call it....asking everyone in the club for
some slides to show after the main program., I would opt for the Dissolver
again... Unless one is skilled at drop loading single slides.( Bob Aldridge
does this, as he once told me)...the RBT projector is better off used with
pre-loaded, dust protective slide cartridges, filled with RBT mounts, which
is what it is principally designed for.


The RBT projector allows the operator to be remote of the projector
location....or not to be dependent on someone else advancing the slides one
by one manually as required in the Dissolver. 
With slides pre-loades in a dust protective cartridge,
the presenter can be up in front of the crowd (and when we are up front, we
miss out on the good 3-D, ironically!!!) 
or they can just kick back in a chair and enjoy some slides with the gang via
the remote....or the auto time cycling feature are useful.....and that,
combined with dissolve, autofocus and auto advance-reverse make the RBT 101 a
whole different animal that the Dissolver, it has automation features.
You cant beat the Dissolver for all around greatest use in our hobby....it is
in my opinion...the most valuable asset our 3-D community has....for
projection.

In response to your question on the glass mounts,  RBT glass mounts are made
first and foremost to hold focus to the edges, to prevent film "popping" due
to bulb heat... and secondarily for protection and archival reasons.  There
are no true archival stereo mounts, in the realist format, that I know of,
correct me if I am wrong. 
RBT's are made with archival plastic, but no claim is made of them to be
"totally archival".


>>RBT 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. 

Costs, thats obvious....but Bracketts wont work where automation in an
installation is required,  again the Brackett...its totally manual, for good
reason.  If you made the Brackett automated....I would bet you it would cost
considerably more than an RBT.....ask Bob Brackett for yourself....I have
talked to him for hours about the RBT....and he has had mine to evaluate for
that reason.

  >>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.


No doubt....but at this point they are all sold, unless someone knows
something I dont...and I talk to Bob all the time.
Why not try the Fed projector ....contact Joel Alpers...they are even less
money...and they use current halogen bulb technology.


CAMERAS
>>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. 

Elliot and whoever is reading...

Dr.T put it simply
""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!"

.....and Mike Fishers review was valuable...and one opinion, that served in
many ways...his requirement...which is fine, but ....when people want to buy
an RBT ....I encourage them to talk to other owners...not to me...although I
use the X2 and S1, but other users....and then they can decide.  I would
venture to say that you might hear opinions that differ from Mike Fishers....
but then again, people have different requirements....if you want to cave
dwell 2000 feet below the ground.....then custom make your own rig with
waterproofing, but dont expect an RBT X2 to foot the bill... it is simply not
a miltary rugged camera....but it is a well built, finely tuned compact,
Macro Zoom System.   

Improvements have been made to the RBTs......but for his ideas of
ruggedness....he should never have thought of  an RBT in the first place, and
RBT's are not fragile.   He should have considered twin Nikons or the
such....and he is a very capable person with high mechanical aptitude, so he
can make rigs that would suit his needs.  I would venture to say that a
camera of his requirement would cost 10,000.00 to make....or less to someone
who has a love for making them and doesnt need the money, and will make them
for others....why not....I have seen some beautiful custom rigs (See Sam
Smiths page at: http://www.barint.on.ca/~sam/links.htm)

Every system has its flaws...and people have their opinions.
I hear people rave about the Kodaslide II Viewer....and personally (just my
one opinion)....I think they are poorly designed with that hard to repair
rivet/plastic construction, they dont fit my eyes well...I see a blank space,
the focusing track is inferior with that silly cork that dries up....why did
they not use a gear?, and they are butt ugly from my point of view.....if I
get them....send me you email address anyone and I'll gladly sell them to
you....I'd take a Realist Red Button any day, with Dr.T's PS vari-power
supply,  looks, optics, functionality..the Red Button wins hands down for me.
 For the Beauty Contest award.,...the Revere and the Wollensak are design
heaven.....evne take 7 perf standard without Themelisizing!

The Realist camera is my favorite....but I know many who hate "The
Brick"....yet.....who will argue that a Kodak Stereo Camera is better
constructed than a Realist for ruggedness....no way!!!....but the Kodak has
grrrrrreat lenses!....so to each his own. 

If RBT cameras are as bad as Mike's review depicted them to be....then why is
demand so great on them.  The constant comparisions to older 50's quality
cameras are really a moot point....they are simply two different animals, one
is not"better" than the other, hey I still use my Realists and love them.
When you have over 50 RBT units out in the US and Canada (that I know of),
something is bound to need fixing at some point.  I have two units going to
repair as we speak, would some % of100 of any other camera that is custom
designed not have some eventual need for repair or maintenance?  If so...Ron
Zak better not retire from David White company on Realist repairs.  
RBT is filling a market, and the US demand, due to new channels being opened
to easier availibility here,  is no where near the European demand...I get
inquiries all the time from over there, and RBT is addressing the
market....and two new models will appear in the spring.  So in
conclusion.....RBT's fill a need, and hopefully they will expand their line
to suit a broader spectrum of the 3-D market.....as a small company....they
work very hard to fill the needs of the user now....hopefully their new
camera lines will pan out to prove so to more, maybe Bob Brackett will make
another round of Dissolvers (we all pray), maybe Ron Zak will get those Red
Button molds running again (ooooh...that would be nice), maybe Dennis
Sherwood will really get new EMDES rolling off the line for his market...and
come up with some new products...all these critical components help
perpetuate 3-D.
Maybe Dr.T will come out with with Frostee-Tee Xmas tree bulb sets and little
Belplasca camera tree ornaments, maybe Dalia will come up with a 3-D camera
that makes latte, who knows?

Thanks for your reading patience...I humble my long-
winded self and say Regar-D-D-D-s Jon Golden RBT USA


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