P3D Re: A newbie asks

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Les Hall wrote:
> 
> > THIS MESSAGE IS IN MIME FORMAT.
> As a newbie I have a few questions.

We welcome newbie questions here Les, but you should be aware
that MIME messages will raise the ire of many readers!  Please
check your mail program to configure it to send only plain text
(ASCII) to the list.

> What is carboarding?

You must be very new!  ;)  Here's what DrT wrote on 1/21/98:
> (For the benefit of beginners: cardboarding or "cardboard cutout
> effect" is the impression that objects in stereo pictures look like
> cardboard cutouts, instead of real objects)

And on 1/22/98, Michael Kersenbock added this description:

> To me, "cardboarding" makes me think of the effect I see most often
> in lenticulars where I see a cascade of flat 2D images at various
> depths.  Each "layer" (which may be as few as two or three) looks
> to me like a cardboard cutout of whatever it is, and this set of
> multiple cardboard cutouts put onto a 3D stage. 

Later that day, Greg Wageman posted:

> My working definition of "cardboarding" for some time now has been:
>
> Lack of stereopsis *within* an object, while stereopsis is present
> *between* objects.
 
> Also, just got my 'new' Realist [snip] Looking at the arrow marking
> on the advance knob it looks like it adavances two (?) frames on ever
> other advance. Is this right?

No, it should not do that.  One thing to be careful of when advancing
film in the Realist is not to hold the advance lock release button
(is that what it's called?) in too long.  If you keep the button
depressed, the film will keep advancing.

You may need to check whether you are getting blank frames on the
film to determine whether the film actually advanced too far, or
whether there is just something wrong with the frame counter.

> I don't have to do anything else do I to avoid it re-exposing on
> every other frame? Am I explaining this clearly?

I'm not sure if that was clear or not.  ;)  The Realist is designed
to advance the film 10 sprockets and then the advance mechanism
locks until the shutter is tripped again.  If you advance the film
correctly after each exposure, then no, there is nothing else you
need to do.
 
> And another - is the hot-shoe electronic flash compatible?

Typically some modification is required to remove the "bump" and
to make the shoe a bit wider.  Many people file down the bump.
Other options include an adapter from Reel-3D (or modifying
an adapter yourself); or replacing the bolt with one that
doesn't have a bump.

> I am impressed at how clear the coupled-rangefinder is although
> I need to get used to having my left hand out of the way.

:)  Yup, many of us do.  If you use the correct Realist grip
technique, however, the fingers don't get in the way of the
rangefinder windows.  BobH posted a nice description of the
right way to hold a Realist; it's in the archives but might
be hard to pin down.  Studying a picture from Realist literature
might help you see what you are doing incorrectly.

> What about the red indicator dot thing on the top to the left of the
> hot-shoe - what is it showing? Cocked shutter?  Film advanced?

Shutter tripped but film not advanced.

> When I focus, I can't see any elements or the lens moving. Is this an
> internal focusing affair?

The Realist adjusts focus by moving the focal plane inside the camera.

> Finally - what is the thread size for filters?

Realists take what is known as Series V filters.  Unthreaded Series
V filters are much larger diameter than the lens itself, and are
held in place in front of the lenses with a filter holder or
sunshade/filter holder.  In my experience the threaded filters
are less common (but that may not be true for other).  Someone
posted the diameter of these but I don't recall what it is...18mm
perhaps?  (I'm not clear on whether these are also called Series V.
Someone else will have to help me out here.)

> Ok - really finally. There is a sticker on the bottom saying "Restored
> by Zak" - is this a good thing? Who be Zak?

A restoration by Zak is great (from what I hear), but if it was done a
long time ago it may not be very significant.  "Zak" is Ron Zakowski,
a long-time David White Co. employee who acquired the Realist spare
parts inventory and provides repair services for Realists.

> Thanks for your indulgence,

We're here to help, Les!  Welcome to the group!  We'll be happy to
hear from you again (after you take care of this configuration
problem on your mail program).

> Les, Dallas

Dallas? Be sure to make plans to attend the NSA Southwest regional
meeting in April!

Paul Talbot, Austin


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