Re: Flash with Stereo Realist

[P3D Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

re: Phil Fleming seeks advice on methods to use a flash with the Stereo
Realist.  There are a variety of different ways to go...and I have
a vague notion that I recently heard DrT has an article on this
topic about to be published in Dalia's Inside 3-D...true, George?

> The hot shoe platform at the top of my camera is too narrow to
> accept a regular flash unit

This is one of the two obstacles to mounting a modern flash on a
Realist.  The other is the famous "bump."  Some folks just file
down the bump.  For a reversible solution, see Kevin Kavaney's
excellent report in digest #1815.  If you don't have it on your
computer, go to http://calcite.rocky.edu/photo-3d/p3d/ghindex.html
and search for "machine bolt."

Kevin's write-up also notes that "the hot shoe 'lips' must be opened
up alittle, about 1\32", best is with a very large screawdriver,
don't over do it."  I could not get the hot shoe lips to spread
far enough with a screwdriver and had to shave the insides down
some.  I wondered if proprietary flashes like mine (Nikon) use
a wider shoe?  I don't know.  If your flash will only be used on
your Realist, you can trim the base of the flash instead.

Also, if you are using a modern computerized flash, take note of
Greg Erker's excellent observation (digest #1958) that it may be
necessary to insulate some of the extra flash contacts so they don't
short to ground.  (Search the archives for "insulator" if you
don't have that digest handy.  The same search will also pull
up digest #1120, which has a detailed discussion of how to use
a modern flash on a Revere without modifying the camera.)

> and I can't find a PC receptacle on the camera body.

I've never used one of the adapters, but from reading some of
the discussion in the archives, I get the impression that the
PC connection is made from the adapter to the flash.  You don't
need a receptacle on the camera.  But I could be wrong.

Hope this helps.

Paul Talbot


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