Re: Platinum Realist

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

Eric G. writes:

>I found this on the Bobcat archive from early this year. Don't think 
>anyone responded, at least publically...
>
>
>> Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 19:05:27 -0700
>> From: P3D Bob Maxey  <BMAXEY@xxxxxxx>
>> To: photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: PHOTO-3D digest 1829 -Reply
>> Message-ID: <s2dd2ae1.025@xxxxxxx>
>> 
>> Here is a question for whoever has a legitimate answer.
>> In the 50's or 60's, there was a contest run by those
>> wonderful folks at David White. It was a photographic
>> competition. Grand prize was a very special custom
>> Stereo Realist, 4.5 (?) lenses, and platinum plated.
>>  
>> The winner of the competition was a one Mattie
>> Sanford, the image was a photographic representation
>> of a painting called "The Gleaners". I saw this camera,
>> could care less at the time. 
>> 
>> Does anyone know where this camera ended up?

First, let me say that this Bob Maxey is the same gentleman who
recently posted a comment about stereo photographers that they
should throw away their twin cameras and get a Realist instead.
I work with both systems, Realists and twin cameras, and do not
plan to get rid of any of the two (at least not in the near future,
in case Gabriel still keeps track of my statements :-))

Also, Bob Maxey long time ago asked for money or SASE to mail
information regarding mirror silvering services he is offering.
I send both a SASE and stamps.  Others sent money.  I have not
seen or heard anything from him and I wonder if others have
the same problem.

Finally, to the issue in question, the owners of these seven
Realist platinum-plated cameras are all known.  Their names
and addresses were posted in numerous PSA documents.  The 
problem is that many of them are not with us today... as these
awards were given in the late 50s/early 60s.  Ron Fredrickson
told me that he has tried to contact at least two of those
lucky stereo photographers, in the Chicago area, and he had
no luck. 

I did meet a gentleman in the PSA convention, whose name I do not
recall, who told me that he owns several Realist Custom cameras,
and he did mention one with f/4.5 lenses who he said even though
it is slower than the 2.8, it might have the sharpest lenses
than any other Realist.  No mention of platinum plating.  It 
is time to ask Ron Zakowski about these stories...

George Themelis


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