Re: Transferring old cards to slides

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Would the image have a great loss of resolution, or would it be viewable? Has
>anyone ever tried this? -- Stefano

Of course!!!  Copying old stereo cards to slide film is very popular.
It is very easy to do, does not result in any detectable loss of resolution
and has many advantages, some of which are outlined below:

* You reduce the size of the card to a the size of the stereo mount which
  means you can store 100 images in a small box.

* You can crop the original image and improve composition.

* You can set a proper stereo window (we all know how neglected the concept
  of the stereo window is in these old views!)

* You can manipulate contrast, color, etc. by using color film and filters
  (if desired)

* You can use *good* viewers to view the image, like the Realist red button
  with the achromatic lenses, instead the run-of-the-mill stereoscope optics.

* You can project these images for a group of people to enjoy
  simultaneously.

Because of this list of advantages, one might say that the images are
better copied in slide film and mounted in stereo mounts, than the
originals.  When I go to Greece and try to rephotograph places where some
of these pictures were taken a century ago, I carry slide copies (in thin
aluminum mounts) and a $3 viewer, which is much more convenient.

I plan to mix modern color slides with B&W views from a century ago in my
slide presentations on Greece, etc.

To copy these stereo views I use my Minolta SLR camera and macro 50/3.5
lens.  I have made a little device that holds the card flat.  The camera is
stationery and parallel to the card plane.  I have a flat edge to slide the
device parallel the camera frame edge.  I use color film and flash or
natural light.  I take one picture, translate the device, take the other. 

I try and crop the image to eliminate the arch and to have some freedom to
set the window.   I normally aim for a 5p mount but occasionally use 7p
mount, especially when there is plenty of sky and can afford significant
vertical cropping.

Hope this helps! -- George Themelis


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