Shooting for RBTs

[P3D <gnored@xxxxxxx>]

Richard says he doesn't find mounting stereo slides in RBT mounts all 
that easy. I thought I'd explain how I shoot and mount slides for 
RBTs. Maybe it will help. 

1.  I always use a tripod and a bubble level when shooting. 
    The level ensures that each side of the stereo pair is
    exactly even, and that you won't have to make any vertical
    adjustments when mounting. It's easier to do it right in
    the first place than to have to "fix" it later.

2.  When you first start out, shoot at least one _perfect_ slide
    using method (1). Infinity should be sharp, and no object should
    appear closer than 7 feet to the camera. This becomes your
    "standard" slide. 

3.  Mount your "standard" slide using a mounting gauge. Set to
    infinity or to the close point, and check with your viewer
    and or projector to make sure it's good.

4.  Carefully split the slide apart again and lay the side that 
    holds the film chips face up. 

5.  Now lay the little yellow thingy you get with each box of 
    RBTs into the slot in the middle and trim the edges to fit
    snugly between the two rails that hold the film chips. The
    yellow thingy can now be used to space the film rails in
    your next slides. 

6.  Reassemble your "standard" slide.

Now, all the hard work is done. The rest is production.

1.  When you get a new box of RBTs, take them all apart.

2.  Insert _all_ the film holding rails into their slots and
    use the yellow thingy to adjust their horizontal spacing. 

3.  Now start cutting and mounting your film chips. Since you
    _always_ use a level, all your chips will be perfectly 
    aligned (vertically). Some medium or close shots will
    need the stereo window adjusted, but most will be just fine. 

4.  Finally -- always throw away all the bad ones. That way
    your friends will think you are an awesome photographer and
    never make mistakes. 

The yellow thingy is brilliant -- it took me a while to figure out 
what it was for, but it's a great little gadget. 

Hope this helps.

Gary Nored


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