P3D Re: Spicer vs RBT

["David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In PHOTO-3D digest 2607

Paul Talbot says:

> IMO, however, the stereographer needs to have a variety of mounting
> options available.  No single mount is ideal in all cases.

I agree that no one single mount is best, just as no one single 
camera, or viewing method, etc. is. However I believe that the Spicer 
mount is the best compromise when you consider all the factors: cost, 
ease of mounting (once you are properly shown), variety of sizes (no 
other mount even comes close here), weight and bulk, etc.

> David W. Kesner reminded us:
> 
> > Just in case anyone is interested, I have offered to do a workshop at
> > NSA 98 on mounting using the RBT jig and Spicer mounts. I find it to
> > be a very simple and very easy method. I have heard others say that
> > they just can't quite get it. That is why I am offering this workshop
> 
> If Dave is waiting to affirmatively hear from folks who are interested
> before committing to conduct the workshop, it would be a real shame
> if he decides not to proceed based on lack of response.  I think Dave's
> idea to do a workshop is a great one.  I hope you are able to make
> this happen, Dave!

I have been talking with Jon Golden about combining our mounting 
workshops at NSA 98. Actually I will just become one segment of his 
fine, extensive program. The only thing that will stop us is if NSA 
doesn't want the workshop. It will also have to be on Saturday or 
Sunday as I will be at the National Caving Convention in Sewanee, TN 
Friday night (driving the 8-10 hours through the night to make it to 
Richmond by Saturday morning).

I said:
 
> > I also personally believe that you can mount to the same exacting
> > precision in Spicers as you can in RBTs. I will be bringing many of
> > my slide with me to NSA and will offer them up as proof.

And Paul responded:
 
> Many of them?  All except the ones with mounting problems?  ;) ;) ;)

What Paul is referring to here is that I just sent him about 40 of my 
slides to look at and comment on. Several contained obvious mounting 
problems and others were mounted with a different window placement 
than what he would have used. I will not be bringing any of the 
slides with mounting problems or I will correct them first (if 
possible). If I am going to put my slides up for scrutiny, I will 
obviously pick and choose them very carefully.

> The Spicer mounts definitely have their place, but that place is
> not in the projector, IMO.

I totally disagree here. First the alignment is not a problem for ANY 
projector. As I stated before the RBT/Spicer method can align the 
chips to the same exacting standard as an RBT mount or an Albion 
mount. When using a TDC (or equivalent) projector I have never had a 
problem with feeding or aligning. I am able to set the alignment at 
the beginning of a series of slides and not have to readjust anything 
but the focus.

However, when using a Brackett Dissolve projector any cardboard 
mount is prone to bending if the tension is set too tight (as I 
found out with my Albion/cardboard mounts at NSA 97). To alleviate 
this problem it is possible to place a Spicer mounted slide in an 
EMDE Binder with one piece of glass. This gives the slide the 
rigidity needed not to be bent by the Brackett. This is great because 
you can just mount all your slides in Spicers and then slip them in 
glass if you want to project at a show or competition without having 
to unmount and remount or try to decide at the initial mounting which 
are your prized slides.  I will also be demonstrating this technique 
at Jon's mounting workshop.

I have not had the chance to try the Spicer mounts in an RBT 
projector. Thanks to Shab Levy I have tried Albion mounts in 
universal blue cardboard foldovers and a few did have a problem 
feeding. I do not know if the Spicer mount would also have the same 
problem. I suspect not as the cardboard used in the blue fold overs 
is somewhat rough and tends to buldge where the Spicers are as smooth 
as a baby's butt and close flat.

Thanks for the time,
David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx


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