Stereo Types

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

It is about 2:00 am here and instead of doing some work or going 
early ;) to bed, I decided to write a little thesis about the 
different types of stereo photographers, based on their choices 
and relationship with their cameras.  Here it goes:

Type #1 (Fanatic):  This person is in love with his choice of 
stereo camera.  He takes good care of it, always in its fancy 
case, cleaned, etc.  He refuses to use anything else and has a 
long list of reasons to justify his preferences and a long list 
of reasons for not trying anything else.  Despite his devotion to 
this particular stereo camera brand, deep inside him he has the 
curiosity to try other cameras to make sure that he is not 
missing anything.  He will not admit this and try his best to 
suspend this tendency.  He collects all accessories and gadgets 
made for this camera or carrying the company logo and he is very 
proud of his choice.  He uses only one brand of film (usually 
Kodachrome) which he defends like his camera.  His volume and 
quality of work is about average.  If his camera of choice is not 
the Realist, he displays the condition known as "Realist Envy".  
If his camera of choice is the Realist, he suffers from what is 
known as "Realist Doubt", i.e. he is dying to try something else, 
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especially a Revere.  One interesting variation is the person who 
is loyal to two cameras but of usually different format 
(Realist/Belplasca, Revere/Verascope, etc.)  Impossible 
combination in this group is the Realist/Kodak.

Type #2 (User):  This person also uses only one camera.  It is 
beaten up, neglected, dirty, but, somehow, it still functions 
well.  He does not care to try other cameras because his camera 
is "doing the job".  He shoots a lot of film and his photography 
is usually original and interesting.  He says he prefers to talk 
about pictures and not equipment.  He is proud for his (claimed, 
but not totally true) emotional detachment from his equipment.  
He usually refuses to try camera accessories, saying that they 
don't make a difference.  From time to time he wonders if his 
choice is the best but never gets serious enough to try other 
cameras.  He is also loyal to one brand of film, usually being 
too lazy or not curious enough to try anything else ("works for 
me").  Occasionally, his belief system is shaken when he sees 
good pictures taken with other cameras/films/accessories, but 
that does not last too long and is not enough to motivate him to 
change his ways...

Type #3 (Collector): This person has many stereo cameras.  He 
likes them all, keeps them clean and nice and uses them from time 
to time.  He can see the strong and weak points of each camera 
but he likes them all mostly for their looks than functionality.  
He takes stereo pictures but he is more captivated by the concept 
than the results.  Usually the film stays for a long time in each 
camera.  He is proud of his wide knowledge of stereo camera 
hardware.  He will jump into the opportunity to acquire another 
stereo camera (one missing from his collection).  When taking 
pictures he carries a couple of cameras and he likes to get 
strangers interested in his 3d gear.  Usually he neglects stereo 
viewers.

Type #4 (Have-Everything):  This is a collector-user hybrid.  
This person wants to have everything.  He is not loyal to 
specific cameras.  He is usually unsecure about his photography 
and has money to invest.  He likes the security of having 
everything, hence being able (in theory, at least) to take great 
pictures.  His volume of photography is generally low, being more 
concerned about what he has and not have, than using what he has.  
Mostly he buys.  He hesitates to sell anything, just in case he 
needs it later on.  He is very concerned about the technical 
aspects of 3d which he does not understand very well.  A digital 
light meter w/flash capability is a must for him.  Brackets 
exposures (to be safe).

Type #4 (Anti-Classic):  This person simply refuses to try a 
stereo camera from the 50s.  His reasoning is that these cameras 
cannot be as good as something produced in the 80s-90s.  He is 
struggling with one or two SLRs (usually Nikons) rigged together.  
He says: "I'll build my own stereo camera first before I have to 
buy or use one of those".  He is in his late 30s, early 40s, 
proud of his understanding of photography and considers himself 
advanced amateur/ professional photographer. His quality of work 
is very good but the volume is rather small.   He is looking into 
ways to sell 3d to the public or make a profit selling 3d images.  
He prefers the 2x2x2 format, especially for projection.

Type #5 (Pro-Digital):  Also known as Mr. Computer, this person 
also refuses to try classic stereo gear but his objection is not 
about the mechanics of the cameras itself but about the "old" 
technology of "analog image recording".  He owns a fast computer 
and spends most of his time "searching the web".  Can free view, 
cross-view or view anaglyph without glasses.  He is proud of his 
pro-digital philosophy and confident that his is one step ahead 
of the crowds, eagerly waiting for digital 3d to come to life.  
He considers using a 50s stereo camera a waste of time.  He owns 
a modern autofocus SLR, sound recording equipment and a sports 
car.  He shoots prints, not slides, usually with the "shoot and
shift" method.  His choice of viewer is the computer.  Maintains
an excellent web page.

That's about it.  Hope you can find yourself in one of these 
categories and invite you to think where does Dr. T fit!

Regards -- George Themelis


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