Original Holmes cards and glass vs. film

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

>What was the type of camera used for the original Holmes cards?
>What was the f/stop, and shutterspeeds used?  What was the lens
>separation and lens focal length?  What was the speed and size 
>of the film?  

I am not an expert in this area by there must have been a variety of
cameras used, not just one.  But in the late 19th century, they say
that half of the cameras for sale were stereo.  I suspect that cameras
had variable f/stops and shutter speeds.  I believe glass negatives
were used for those pictures.

McKay discusses the subject of "glass vs. film": "There is a deeply
ingrained aversion on the part of many amateurs toward using glass
plates. One cannot understand this, but as long as it exists, the
virtues of film as a substitute must be considered." He goes on to
discuss the virtues of glass vs. film and concludes: "It is the
considered opinion of the writer that nothing has as yet been developed
that can rival the glass transparency as the ideal physical medium
for stereography, disregarding the question of color."

That was in 1948!  By 1952 McKay has changed his mind: "The writer
can remember the senseless struggle of the glass plate advocates
(99% of the serious photographers, professional and amateur) against
the encroachment of the sheet film.  Today we see the stereo Old Guard
tearing their hair and clad in sackcloth and ashes as one after
another of their cherished idols fall under the onslaught of the
enthusiastic 'new stereographer.'  But with this Old Guard numbering
considerably under 1000 and with the new legion growing at about 20
to 30 thousand every year, the newcomers, fortunately for all concerned,
are going to have things their own way."

McKay joined the enthusiastic new stereographer using 35 mm color
slide film in his Realist camera...

Reporting from Cleveland, George Themelis


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