Kodak Survey

[P3D <BD3D@xxxxxxxxxx>]

So, is anyone interested in a Kodak Stereo Survey?  I hate to start
threads because I can't always check back on a daily basis, but
I'll volunteer to carry this one through, albeit a day or so
behind.

I'd like to hear from owners and/or users of these cameras past and
present.  I'll compile the information and report back regularly to
the list.

You can respond privately or on this list, I'll get it either way.

I'd like to track the following:

1)  Serial no. (on the outside of camera bottom, on the plastic
interlens cover plate)

2)  Old or New style. (Three ways to tell old style without opening
camera: Film counter has arrow pointing clockwise, shutter release
button is tall - higher than top plate of camera and shutter speed
selector rides on embossed pad instead of embossed rails )

3)  English or Spanish language Data plates (top, bottom and
shutter-speed plates)

4)  Chrome or black film pressure plates.

5)  Any problems over the years, whether one-time or recurring.
Specifically, have you had erratic advance problems, light leaks,
sticky (or stuck) shutters, poor focus, lens flare, scratched film,
etc.

6)  What other stereo cameras you prefer and why (or why you prefer
the Kodak)

7) Any additional information or anecdotes you can provide will be
welcome, such as how many rolls per year you shoot (or shot, if you
don't use it any more) :-(  .  I would even like to hear about your
favorite or most successful slide, what the heck.

Comparative reports will be very interesting, so those of you
owning or using several other cameras besides the Kodak, please
respond; your experiences would be especially valuable.

If you want your data but not your name included in the survey, e-
mail me privately, I'll keep you anonymous.

To start off, I have two Kodak Stereo Cameras, ser. nos. 002759
(old style) and 045130 (new style).

I have never had a light leak. I have had the older one for about
ten years, and the shutters have frozen about four different times.
Twice this was fixed by a highly-regarded repairman, only to recur
within months both times.  I finally took it apart and fixed it
myself about four years ago, and the problem only just recurred.
Most recently, I was using a cable release on a cold night for 30+
second exposures, and I think I over-extended the cable, causing
the blades to bind.  The other one (new style) I've had for three
years and have had no problems whatsoever with it; never had it
back to the shop.

I take them out in all kinds of weather, from humid, 95 F. to 10
below in howling winds.

Neither camera exhibits much (if any) image overlap or mis-
registration. Focus seems sharp on both cameras.

I like the large advance and rewind knobs, which work even with
gloves.  The fold-out rewind crank is great, tons better than the
rewind knob on my Wirgin (my only other stereo camera).

I like the ease of loading; no cutting, folding or tucking
required.  The shutter cocks automatically with film advance, or
you can reset the shutter without advancing the film for multiple
exposures.

Drawbacks: No "T" setting for the shutter ("Time", not "Themelized"
:-) press it once to open the shutters; once again to close), but
using "B(ulb)" with cable suffices for most situations.

Limited to full stops in aperture and too few shutter speeds.
Continuously variable diaphragm and shutter speed (like the Wirgin)
would be a big plus

A coupled rangefinder could be a big plus.

I normally shoot around thirty rolls per year total (almost
exclusively Kodachrome 64).  I don't own a flat camera.The Kodak
seems to suit my needs well, but I'm a long ways from being a
"serious" photographer.  I just find stereo to be a great way to
capture family photos, for the most part. The quality of any
serious work I may pretend to produce is far more limited by my own
degree of competence and aesthetic sense than by the camera. :-)

Favorite shots are of ice formations along Lake Ontario shore.
Several days of very cold windy weather had resulted in a 3 inch
(75 mm) coating of ice around every branch, twig and clump of
grass.  I showed up on the first warm day afterwards, as the
formations were glistening in the sun.

Another favorite shows the view straight down from the center of
the trestle over Letchworth Park's Upper Falls with just my toes
visible at the bottom edge of the slide.  I like to hand people the
viewer saying, "Now before you look at this one, stand up, point
the viewer straight down and then look down into it..."

Looking forward to hearing of your tales.

Best regards,
Bill Davis
mailto:bd3d@xxxxxxxxxx


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