P3D 2x2 viewers

[Alan Lewis <dlewis@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike Watters queries:
> How about a conversation about viewers for 2x2?    I've usually used
>  one of the old 50's viewers and mounted in standard sized
>  mounts (mostly 7P).   I'd like to switch to something
>  where I'm not forced to chop down the slides
>  too much though.   What are other 2x2
>  shooters using to view?   Seems the viewers
>  I've seen tend to be either the ultra cheapo plastic
> things or VERY expensive handtooled jobs.  Anything
> in between?  Has anyone just built their own based on traditional
> viewer designs? .........

Two items:

1) I worked on modifying the Franka viewer by replacing the lenses with
Edmund Scientific 28mm dia X 47mm f.l. achromats (at $30/lens).  The
modification wasn't difficult, but the result was terrible.
I really had high expectations for this "Weekend Stereo Project" and was
ready to put it on my web site.  But the resulting image from the
project was not even as good as the Franka lenses.  Too much distortion
and the image was very poor at the edges.

2) This failed project spurred me onto the next project, that is at:
http://www.arlington.net/homes/dlewis/projects/35mmvwr/35mmviewer.htm

This one worked great.
  
I adhered to the Franka design of slide holders.  I feel that this is a
good idea if building your own viewer.  The Franka slide holder design
is quite universal, allowing sharing of slides among enthusiasts.
The use of the Franka twin slide holders makes everything really easy,
and the results are very good. You have the easy load/unload mount like
a Realist.  You do not have to remount your single slides, and you get
the max. image view possible, no masking. 

The only downside to the Franka slide holders is the cost.  It is almost
$1/stereo pair.  But it works well, and it is easy.  You pay for the
convenience.  The cost of the slide holders could most likely be brought
down if made (consumed) in greater quantities.  They are just one piece
moldings, less complex than a RBT mount.

With this project I now have a full frame 35mm viewer that is really
comfortable to use and view the full frame wearing eyeglasses.  Now I'll
work on the cost of the mounts.
-- 
Alan Lewis  
mailto:dlewis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.arlington.net/homes/dlewis
Home of Weekend Stereo Projects 
New stereo viewers & Stereo Wedding Photography


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