fluorescent viewer illuminator

[P3D Mark J. Shields <northws1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi!

I've been enjoying looking at my first stereo slides, taken with a pair
of beamsplitters (which despite my other posting do perform well
enough).

I have the non-illuminated viewers that came with the beamsplitters
(Stereo-tach and Pentax), which are practically identical. Since I
wanted my slides to show up at their best, I knew proper illumination
was a must.

I realized that a GE Biax compact fluorescent tube would be just the
right width to cover a 35mm slide. The light is already diffuse, and
the diffuser in the viewer spreads it completely. These lamps come in
2700 and 3500 degrees color temperature. I chose the 3500, and hold
the viewer very close to the lamp--almost touching. On the
slides I have taken so far, I find it to be excellent--brilliant and
well-balanced. The tube plugs into either a screw-in adapter or into
the socket of a hard-wire kit (these were available--haven't checked
lately). The adapter accepts either a 7-watt or a 9-watt lamp--the
7-watt is more than long enough for a 2X2 slide. (The 9-watt might be
the better choice for Realist-format slides as it is longer.) I'm
using my aquarium light fixture right now (it's actually pretty
convenient to use at the desk where I work!) but am converting a bed
lamp from a flea market by cutting out part of the grating at the
top to accept the viewer--the swivel hooks on the lamp will serve
as adjustable "legs."

Mark Shields

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