Re: Your Stereo Camera

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Hattenhauer writes:

>With 1000 readers, but few active, perhaps some would like to get involved 
>in talking about the stereo camera that they like the best and why.

Why?  What do you expect to learn from such discussion?

>Since 1984 I have owned and used Kodak, Realist, Wirgin, Revere,
>Kindar,Stereall, Realist 45, Colorist II, and Wollensak stereo cameras

Not many stereo photographers that I know of, have owned and
used so many different stereo cameras mainly because they are usually
happy and settle with the first or second stereo camera they try.

And I think that they are justified because my experience shows that
there are no serious differences between the "better" stereo cameras 
that you have listed.  It becomes a matter of personal taste to have
a preference and it is usually justified by saying: "it seems to work 
better for me".

>My favorite among them is the Wollensak because I like the image 
>clarity, it just seems to make the nicest images from my perspective. 

That's what you are saying too... Any idea what makes those images
"nicest from your perspective"?

>It also looks really neat...

No comment.

>Next favorite is the TDC Colorist II. I like the combined
>viewfinder/rangefinder in one window  and the Rodenstock lenses seem 
>show more color nuances than some of the others.

What are "color nuances"?

>How about some of you stereo shooters out there, what do you like and
>why?

Since 1988 I have used Realist cameras.  At some point I wondered if 
I should be using something else, and tried a TDC Colorist II, Kodak,
Belplasca.  As I said, none of those appeared to offer anything more
than my Realist.  The Belplasca of course is a 7p camera but I took
care of that by modifying my Realist to take 7p pictures.

When comparing image quality, it is important to know that the stereo
camera is working well, especially in terms of accurate focusing.

Even within the Realist stereo camera there are a number of
different lenses:  Ilex 3.5, David White 3.5, Ektar 2.8, David
White 2.8, etc.

Most Realist-format cameras offer the same thing from my point
of view... For a beginner, working on a limited budget, the $100
Realist 3.5 or Kodak stereo are the best deals, IMO.

Now, tell me that you prefer your Pentax Stereo Adapter and we'll 
discuss it.

George Themelis


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