P3D Let's get serious... (Kodak vs. Realist)

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

I basically agree with Ron Beck's conclusion that both a Realist and Kodak
can make you happy, just grab what you find.  I know many satisfied owners
of both cameras.

I would like to clarify some myths and facts regarding these two cameras:  

Myth:  The Kodak has exceptionally sharp lenses.  I have used a Kodak, I
have taken my own pictures and have seen pictures taken by others using a
Kodak.  I could not tell the difference.  Some well-known names in stereo
seem to prefer the Kodak but I am not sure if this is the result of some
testing or sentimental attachment or what?

Fact:  If you drop each camera, the Realist has a higher probability of 
surviving the impact.  (PLEASE, do not try this on your own!)  Is that
important for you?  It has been for me.

Myth:  The Realist is more reliable that the Kodak.  Last summer in Greece
I had problems with both Realists.  I have seen people using Kodaks for a
long time without problems.  If the camera is working OK and is used
frequently then I would say that both Realist and Kodak will need the same
amount of maintenance and repair.

Fact:  If your camera needs repair, you can get original parts for the
Realist and not the Kodak.  That's because Ron Zakowski bought the Realist
parts and tools when the David White company closed the stereo camera
division, while who knows what happened to the Kodak tools and parts.

Fact:  The Kodak is more intuitive to use.  Many times Realist users forget
the cock the shutter (something done automatically when the film is
advanced in the Kodak and most other cameras) which leads to the "oooops -
just a minute" reaction and the resulting "frozen smiles" on human subjects. 
Realists lacks a level and earlier models lack double-exposure prevention
which can lead to double exposures if one is not careful.

Fact: The Realist has a rangefinder and slow-shutter speeds (1/25, 1/10,
1/5, 1/2, 1 sec.) that Kodak does not.  Do you really need these features? 
Many people don't need them.  I don't need them for 99% of my pictures.

Fact:  Many (unused for a long time) Kodak cameras have a "slow shutter"
(shutter speeds are slower than indicated, leading to overexposures).  I
dare say that 3/4 cameras picked up in camera shows will have a slow
shutter problem leading to more than 1 f-stop overexposure.  Whether the
speeds return to normal ranges by exercising the shutter is an open
question.  Fact:  The Realist shutter is remarkably accurate.

Fact:  The Kodak is lighter than the Realist.  Prof. Werner Weiser in
his fine reference "Stereo Cameras Since 1930", quotes the following
numbers: Kodak 630 grams, Realist 790 grams. Whether this difference of
160 grams is important for you is another question.

Myth: DrT does not like Kodaks.  I have made an honest effort to use
and like one specific Kodak camera.  It did not work out.

Fact: DrT uses a Realist (3 to be exact). The Realist was my first camera
and I stayed with them.  Mostly because I got used to them, learned how
to use them, repair them, love them :-)

-- George Themelis


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