P3D Re: Argus Stereo Camera System

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

Lee Sandstead wants to get into fantastic stereo photography
and asks about the Argus system:

>Will the pictures taken with the
>Argus be comparable to mounted Realist slides?

My first reaction is to say "no", just because I have hard time
comparing prints with slides, in general, but that does not
mean that you will not be happy with the Argus...

A good source of information for beginners to stereo photography
is the newsletter that we publish since last May.  Because we
are a new club, we are all learning and we reflect this in our
newsletter with articles like "starting in stereo", "stereo
mounting", etc.  Subscription is only $12 (this will get you
all the past issues plus then remaining two -send check to me) 
or $15 to get all the entire collection in a bound volume, 
after June.

To answer the question, our February issue ("Stereogram" 2.6)
has a special section on stereo prints.  In it, UK subscriber
Keith Wilson wrote an article about the Loreo (which is almost 
identical to the Argus - just substitute "Argus" for "Loreo"
in the text below).  Here is his conclusion:

"Conclusion time!  Is the Loreo worth having?  On balance, I'd say 
yes, provided you remember to use fast film, and never take outdoor 
pictures without the nose!  I wouldn't want a Loreo, however, as my 
only stereo camera.  For holidays and other important events, I want 
much higher quality images.   
	Where the Loreo scores for me is as a 'social' camera.  It's 
quick and simple to use for casual pictures of friends and colleagues, 
indoors or out, and the focus distance appears to be optimized for 
this kind of subject.  It's easy and cheap to have copy prints made to 
give away, and lorgnette viewers to go with the prints also cost only 
around $2 each.  Also, most recipients are not likely to be too 
critical of the rather soft images produced by the Loreo's simple 
lenses. 
	In my opinion, the Loreo has its niche, but it's not the 
stereo camera to use for capturing those once-in-a-lifetime images.  
Get your 'Realist' first, and then buy a Loreo for fun! "

I would reverse the last sentence:  Get the Loreo for fun and if
you are serious about it, get a "Realist-format", "RBT", "Twin
camera rig", etc., later.

Regards -- George Themelis
10243 Echo Hill Drive
Brecksville OH 44141

PS.  Another source for information on the Loreo-Argus camera:  
     John Dennis' article in Stereo World 24-1, pp. 22-25


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