Re: Slide Mounts

[P3D emdesher <emdesher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 6 Apr 1997, P3D wrote:

> Dennis Sherwood writes:
> 
> << ...I haven't included shipping charges.
>  Totals:  Albion most expensive was 83.87, least 68.92
>           RBT     "      "       is 70.00, least 64.00
>           EMDE    "      "      was 69.85, least 64.90
> 
> -------x  snip
> 
> ...the price differences at the quantities typically 
> purchased were very close, and none was clearly less expensive.... >>
> 

snip

> The glass in RBT's is anti-newton.  Does the price
> you quote include anti-newton glass or the plain?  The difference in cost is
> rather significant!
 
snip

This question about whether anti-Newton or regular cover glass was 
the basis of the cost estimate arises because of a misunderstanding 
about EMDE vs. RBT product differences.  
The EMDE mask is of the foldover type, meaning that the mounted film is 
sandwiched in between foil on both sides.  This produces an air space 
separation, the thickness of the foil (.004mm) on each side, preventing 
physical contact of the stereo pair with the inner surface of the cover glass.  
Newton's rings appear as a irregular rainbow-hued streaks when there is 
any film-glass contact.  This is very distracting.  In the past, several 
techniques when employed to avoid this, and anti-Newton treated glass is 
indeed effective.  The problems with this type of glass is that it is very 
costly to manufacture (it involves rather dangerous acid etching processes), 
and it will cause a slight degrading of image sharpness.  There is a 
trade-off between effectiveness in preventing Newton's rings (more 
diffuse) and image sharpness (least diffusion).  The RBT mount design 
places film into direct contact with the glass surface, and 
would certainly result in annoying Newton's rings.  With the RBT mount 
use of anti-Newton glass is REQUIRED; in the EMDE system it's optional.  I  
try to discourage people from buying it; reserving it for people who really 
need this type of glass.  Often, their climate is either excessively damp 
or dry, causing the film to curl and stay in contact with the glass.
I would estimate that less then 5% of EMDE customers would need to use 
anti-Newton glass.  Even if they did, with the EMDE mask it is probably 
only needed on the smooth side of the film, the emulsion side usually is 
irregular enough to allow use of regular cover glass.  So, I still think 
that using regular cover glass is the most realistic basis to use for 
making price comparisons.  Also, you did not take into consideration that 
the RBT mount uses glass on one side only (to prevent film popping when 
heated in a projector), and does not offer protection against damage on 
the other side.  What cost do you place on this feature?  

snip

> EMDE  (1995-96 price sheet)
> Glass     $84.95     5.5 lbs.  (Anti-Newton)
> Mask        19.50     0.6
> Binder      19.50     1.2
> Labels       6.15      0.3  ($.0123 per slide) (You can write on an RBT)  
> 
> Totals  $130.10      7.6 lbs.
> Shipping    5.25                      (to Fort Worth, TX)
> 
snip

These are out of date prices.  Must admit I forgot about labels-they 
would cost the same on an EMDE mask or an Albion.  I not too excited 
about using a magic marker on a plastic mount.  Question of esthetics :-).

snip

> Entry-level price for EMDE totals  $135.35 for that first 100 slides.  How
> does this compare to a mere $ 39 for the first go-round with RBT?  Or say,
> $78 to do your first 100?  Granted, my price sheet for EMDE is a year old,
> but there was no 1997 price sheet available in Spring 1996.  ;-)  The prices
> on EMDE have dropped considerably, while RBT only came down a dollar.  Is
> this what we free-market people call "competition"?  I think so!
> 
> It's your money.
> 
> Regards,
> Robert Linnstaedt
> 
> 

snip

You are correct that I didn't consider shipping charges; I quess it's the 
difference in perspective between a manufacturer and a consumer.  UPS 
gets the money from my point of view, while the consumer indeed considers 
it part of his total cost.  The EMDE system is heavier then the RBT mount, 
plastic is undoubtedly lighter than aluminium and glass.  Many prefer this
more substantial "feel", others don't care. 
Even if I were to concede to your concept of an "entry-level" size trial 
purchase, after some point you would decide to adopt one system or the 
other, and then the per mount costs are exactly as I calculated at the top
of this post.  The prices are competitive.  
Dennis Sherwood  emdesher@xxxxxxxxxxxx


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