Re: Realist Camera tidbits

[P3D Gabriel Jacob <jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>Factoids from the Stereo Realist Guide,
>>
>>The tripod socket is at the exact center of the left lens,
>>The wind release is at the exact center of the right lens,
>>The center of the left viewing window is at the exact center of the camera.
>
>Does anyone see any reason for the first two? -- George Themelis

Dr.T quizzes, what are the reasons behind the first two factoids,
that Grant reported about. Hmmm, I'll take a stab at the first one,
since the Realist is quite a strange camera ergonomically. I would
guess that the tripod socket is at the exact center of the left lens
because of factoid #3. More specifically, if the tripod socket was
in the center, it would be kind of awkward with one's nose getting
in the way. 

As to the second fact, can it be so that you can press the wind
release button with your right thumb while at the same time turning
the advance knob? I do remember reading that the Realist was built
from an engineering rather than a user friendly point of view. This
probably would explain the awkward 3 step frame advance and camera
layout. I can see that if the camera was developed from an engineering
point of view, it would probably mean that the camera is simpler
mechanically and thus more reliable. It sure is built well enough!

The reasons given above still don't answer why they are EXACTLY centered
over the respective lenses! Dr.T, you have the floor. :-)

Gabriel  


------------------------------