P3D PHSNE Photographica expo -- Waltham, MA

[Peter Davis <pd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

After receiving flyers for years, I finally got to go the the Photographica
expo organized by the Photographic Historical Society of New England
(PHSNE).  What a GREAT event!  This was the first time in a new location,
and I understand a lot of people felt it was more crowded than at the
previous site.  It certainly was crowded, but that didn't dampen my
enjoyment of it at all.  I just wish I had had more time (and money!) to
spend there.  I got there at the regular opening time of 10 o'clock, and
had to wait for about 15 minutes to get in.

LOTS of stereo stuff, some of which I'd read about but never seen before.
Many Realist cameras ... mostly 3.5's, but a couple of 2.8's, some older
stereo cameras, several Polaroid Passport Mini's, which I think could be
used for instant stereo portraits, a couple of Iloca Rapides, at least 3
Airequipt Stereo Theatres, lots of viewers, stereo cards, View-Master
stuff, etc.  Many dealers from at least as far as New York, etc.  Most
prices seemed reasonable, based on my limited knowledge.  I found a
Stereo-Tach viewer for $5, and a Chinese mirror
"the-thingie-formerly-known-as-a-beamsplitter" for $50 in the original box,
complete with print viewer, samples and instructions (in Chinese, of course.)

The Stereo/New England group had a nice table in the back with a big box
with multiple slides on display.  This was right next to Jon Golden's table
of RBT cameras, Hugo de Wijs V-M viewers, etc.  Enough to make me want to
win the lottery sometime before the next event in October.

The surprise for me was a twin 2x2 viewer on a light box.  When I peered
in, there was a beautiful nude study by none other than our own Boris
Starosta.

-pd


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