Re: Realist History and the Hat

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

Bill Davis continues:

>So they introduce this Realist camera with nifty Ilex Paragon 3.5 lenses.
>Takes great pictures, real sharp, no vignetting at small apertures. When
>the public begins to see the great images possible (remember BobH and his
>friends trading in Leicas) and begin to increase demand, the company
>substitutes cheaper lenses for the remainder of the product's 20-year
>lifetime.

Ilex was an optical company in Rochester NY.  The Ilex lenses that I have
tried vignette like crazy at small apertures and they even vignette
(slightly) at f8.  But with Kodachrome ASA 10 the "sunny day" rule was 1/50
and f6.3!  Whether the Ilex lenses are better than the 3.5 lenses is
debatable.  Lack of good quality control those days has produced cameras
with good lenses and cameras with not so good lenses.

>Later, (possibly in an attempt to regain the public's respect?), Realist
>introduces a run of 2.8 cameras, using some excellent Kodak lenses.  The
>public bites, the company switches to cheaper lenses for the remainder of
>the product lifetime.

The first 2.8 cameras with the Kodak Ektar lenses were introduced very
early (not later and not in an attempt to regain the public's respect) 
Whether these lenses are better than the David White 2.8 lenses is also
debatable.  I know people who have tried both and prefer the DW 2.8.

>I seem to see a pattern here.  Same story with the Handi-Viewers?

The pattern is only in your mind... Realist did not change the basic design
of the camera, except to make improvements.  Did Kodak do that?  Realist
switched lenses but they all have good reputation.  At least, it is to
David White's credit that they sold cameras with 3.5 and 2.8 lenses
(buyer's choice) and made deluxe cameras like the Custom and a unique Macro
stereo camera.  No to mention the variety of viewers, the Stereo
Projectors, the mounts, the cutter and mounting kits, filters, etc., etc.,
etc....

Did Kodak make anything else other than the "best seller" Kodak Stereo and
the Kodaslide viewers?   (As an afterthought, yes, it did make a special
Kodak with a rangefinder... but only for one person, "Mr. Stereo", right
Bill?)

Since you mentioned viewers, how about Kodak's Kodaslide I with some of the
worse lenses ever put in a stereo viewer?  Perhaps the handi-viewer was an
attempt to capture some of the cheaper crowd served by Kodak. :-)

>Change all the lenses you want, George.  That hat is mine!   :--)

When the going gets tough it is time to pull out that twin SLR rig Bill...
See if your Kodak can beat that!!!  

THE HAT IS MINE!  :-)

-- George Themelis


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