P3D Re: Stereo Realist Maintenance

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

>Is there a good book on fixing cameras?
>How did people on this list learn how to clean and fix their
>own stereo cameras?  

This question came at the right time as I am just done working on
20 Stereo Realists!

Most people learn by just doing it.  It usually takes two cameras:
One that is working well and one that has the problem.  That's how
I learned to fix specific problems on my Realist.

There are a few sources that can help:

- Jess Powell has both books and videos on well-known stereo cameras:
  Realist, Kodak, Revere/Wollensak, Busch Verascope.
- Ed Romney had a book on the Realist.  He has written many books on
  camera repair and also sells basic tools, including a shutter cleaner.
- There is another video on the Realist.

Check Stereo World for ads/addresses. 

>For instance, my shutter setting of
>"one" on my Realist only works half the time.  Sometimes it
>works fine, and at other times, the mechanism doesn't play
>out, keeping the shutter open until I do something to close it.

Sounds like your Realist has a shutter that hangs up at 1 sec.  This is
rather unusual for a Realist.  It can happen if someone tried to lubricate
it in the past or if it got sand or excessive dirt.  There was a long
thread on how to clean shutters, not long ago in P3d.  You can easily 
access the shutter by removing the 4 screws in the front metal lens'
plate and two at the top.  Then spray a shutter cleaner and you should
be OK.  

Good luck!

George Themelis


------------------------------