Long Live the Realist 7P!

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

I have mounted my first Realist 7P roll and completed a careful examination
of the stereo pictures in my red button viewer.  The pictures look as clear 
and sharp in 7p as they always looked in 5p. There is no evidence from the 
pictures that the camera was modified (other than the size!)  In terms of 
operation, the 7p Realist works better than the 5p.  Not only there is no 
overlap between pictures but there is a consistent 5 mm gap from picture to 
picture (compare to 1.5 mm gap in full-frame 35 mm) which makes cutting the 
chips with scissors, a breeze.  There is plenty of space in the standard
7p mount to place the stereo window anywhere at will.

Which one is better, Realist or Belplasca?  I am concluding that MY Realist
is every bit as sharp as MY Belplasca in the tested conditions. I find 
myself preferring the Realist pictures, due perhaps to my long-term 
exposure to this particular FL and interocular separation.  Given the 
choice today to pick this particular Belplasca or this particular Realist, 
I would pick the Realist without any second thoughts based on this 
examination, my familiarity with the camera and an overwhelming number of 
practical reasons, some of which were outlined earlier, all in favor of 
the Realist.

Now, the disclaimers (too bad I cannot use smaller letters!):  

** This is only one pair of cameras and one roll.  (But I have no reason 
to believe that my David White 2.8 is any better than any other 2.8 or many 
3.5's I've used in the past.  Also, I have no reason to believe that my 
Belplasca which has given me some great pictures in the past is in any way 
inferior to other Belplascas).

** I have not tested extra wide or narrow apertures and have not used a 
tripod.  I basically rarely use the small or large apertures or a tripod.  
This is a "field test" for me. The "red button test" is highly 
unscientific.  I report what I "see" but I do share H. C. McKay's 
basic philosophy "if you don't see it, it isn't there".

Let me emphasize again that when you convert a Realist to 7p, you don't 
convert the entire camera but only the camera BODY.  John asked me to take 
the lens' plate off and send the body if I were concerned about possible 
damage to the lenses.  I sent the entire camera and John had the chance to 
run a test roll before returning the camera to check if everything is OK.  
Once you have the body converted, you can use ANY type of Realist lenses in 
it!  I plan to do more work with other Realist lenses, like David White 3.5 
and Ilex Paragon that I have on hand.

In conclusion, if you are a stereo photographer in need for 7p images but 
are not satisfied with the currently produced FED or Iloca, or cannot find 
the elusive Belplasca or Busch Verascope, now you have a new exciting 
choice.  It is called Realist 7P.

Regards,  George Themelis, proud owner of a Realist 7P stereo camera

PS. The name again of the highly-skilled surgeon is John Slivon and he is 
DrT approved and highly recommended!  (I trusted him blindly. I sent him 
my favorite stereo camera without even asking to see a test roll from a 
converted Realist first.  Not only I was not disappointed, but I am 
thrilled with the quality of the work he did.)  His email address: 
John Slivon <frogs@xxxxxxxxxx>

PSS.  Check sell-3d frequently for "Belplasca for sale by DrT!!!!" (I am 
dead serious here - I think I'll end up with a pair of Realists, my 7P 2.8 
and a 5P 3.5).  Also, I have too many Albion 5p mounts (but no 5p camera!) 
and very few 7p mounts.  Anybody wants to trade???  (more on sell-3d).


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