P3D Re: Graflex Stereo Graphic

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

>have on a long term loan a Graflex Stereo
>Graphic camera, Kodaslide I viewer, about 200 slides etc and the flash
>attachement for the camera. I have never seen this camera mentioned on the
>group, nor found it for sale anywhere. Could I hear your opinions on it and
>it's approxment value? 

Since this is not (yet) your camera, I might as well tell you the truth
and advise you not to buy this particular camera.  By looking at the specs
and pictures taken with it, I'd say it is a "second class" stereo camera
as compared to Kodaks, Realists, etc., and it usually sells for about the 
same amount of money ($100-$150).

Looking at the specs (from prof. Weiser's book) it only offers two shutter
speeds: 1/50 and B.  Apertures go from f4 to f16.  No rangefinder.  FIXED
FOCUS!  And, to make things worse, it features the "Depthmaster-Disaster"
system where one lens is focused at infinity and the other close-by.  This
system justifies the lack of focusing.  The infinity is sharp in one chip
and the close-up is sharp in the other.  The idea is that your brain will
only pick the sharp of each and ignore the other, providing you with an
overall sharp picture.  But what if it picks the worse of both worlds? :-)

I have seen pictures taken with it. Some look OK.  Others, taken in bright
sun, show loss of contrast and lack of sharpness.

Now, I have heard that some people love this camera for its simplicity.
Also, there is more to photography that the lenses, etc.  But, if it was
me, I would stay away.

(BTW, this camera was also sold in GB under "Wray Stereo Camera".  According
to my source, this features Wray and not Graflex Graflar lenses.  Don't
know what difference does that make.)

Also, about the Kodaslide I viewer, I hope you followed the discussion that
this viewer, unlike the model II, has plastic lenses.  It sells for about
$60, which is less than half the price asked for the II model.

Regarding the problem with the hot shoe, it can be something very simple,
like bad contact between flash and shoe, or more complicated that requires 
the camera to be opened and the flash connections to be followed all the 
way to the shutter. 

No one to my knowledge will mount beam splitter or Argus slides in Realist
mounts.  The beam splitter slides do not need to be cut as there are
viewers to view them as-is.

Feel free to fire more questions!!!

Regards -- George Themelis


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