Re: Twin Rig Test

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

Brian Whitehead, thank you for the interesting report.  I have a couple of
questions for you or your friend, Bernard Brown:

>(3)     Accessories necessary - two remote cable switches (1 metre) #52
>pairs plus a custom made,tiny black box fitted on   paired cables,
>designed and made by Pentax

What is the custom black box for?  Was it made by Pentax just for the
purpose of synchronizing two cameras?  Does it contain any electronics or
is it just for the electrical connection of the two cables?

>(f)           I have found that my best test gave me 1/180th of a second
>with 1/250th sec giving good but not consistent results.  

Does the Pentax have 1/180 manual speed? (usually most cameras go from
1/250 to 1/125)  Are you satisfied with 1/180 synch?  How does that compare
with the Konicas?  Are the Konicas consistent at the 1/250s?

> (g)        This will set the theorists going.  

It is OK by me...  Do you also use a regular stereo camera (lens spacing
closer human eye spacing) for subject closer than 10 feet or for more
natural depth impression?

>I can safely set manually the distance of 25ft on the lens...

Do you have a way to prevent it from slipping off this setting?  I focus my
cameras at infinity which is usually OK, considering the distance of the
object and fstop used.

>P.S. I forgot to mention that the cameras and lenses are so light that I
>may get rid of my aching neck syndrome.

I am still using my Minoltas X-700 as my main twin SLR rig.  With 45/2
lenses it is lightweight and it is still easy to find used bodies and lenses
in the USA at reasonable prices.  I do not use winders with the cameras and
do not find manual advance to be a problem.  I have also acquired (and used
once) a Konica FT1 rig that comes with nice custom-made (just for the FT1)
bars, including a nice vertical bar (bottom to bottom orientation) with
convergence control.

Regards from Cleveland OH USA -- George Themelis


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