P3D Realist format viewers

[Tom Martin <tlmartin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a question that has not yet been raised by our knowledgeable
readers regarding the Realist and other 20mm diameter lens stereo
viewers.

I have seen several people comment on how fantastic the imaging is of a
Realist red-button modified to accept 8 perf slides. However, when I
look through a red-button at a 5 perf slide, the outer corners are cut
off by the edge of the lens. I have to move the viewer back and forth to
see the entire image which of course causes distortion of the image. 7
perf are even more so, and I would hate to think what an 8 perf
expansion would look like!

Although I like the quality of the Realist lens better, I prefer a
Kodaslide II for viewing stereo slides since I can see all of a 5 perf
slide with the least distortion and no loss of viewing area. A 7 perf
slide does begin to loose the edges, and although I haven't widened a
Kodak to take 8 perf, I feel that I would loose even more of the image.

My eyesight is 20/15, and I haven't noticed people readjusting the focus
on a shared viewer.

Am I crazy, or would I loose enough of an 8 perf stereo slide in a
Realist viewer that I would be seeing an almost round image from my
slides? Does anyone else loose portions of the viewing image in a
Realist viewer? I guess my point is, is a wider diameter viewing lens
better for viewing the overall picture than higher quality smaller
diameter viewing lens that causes portions of the slide to not be seen?

I don't want to start a big thread, I just would like to see if anyone
else has had the same problems with the Realist viewers that I have.

Tom Martin


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