P3D Re: Coupla questions

[Eric Goldstein <egoldste@xxxxxx>]

trent wrote:

> 1.  Does anyone have any suggestions to fix a stubborn focus wheel in a
> Realist? 

Someone else more knowledgeable about how the slow speeds are engaged
will need to help you here...

> 2.  Although I love my Realist, I find that it is unwieldy for off-the-hip
> snapshot situations.  My subjects are rarely patient enough to wait for me
> to meter, set the exposure, and focus.  I'd also like to play around with
> European format stereo.  For this reason I'm considering buying a FED stereo
> M camera, which at least has automatic exposure.

You are not along in saying that these cameras are unwieldy, but their
other charms compensate for the operational clunkiness...

I'd suggest that the answer is not to get more automation; that will
actually create problems for you in other areas. Instead, think like a
classic photographer from the 40s and 50s! For grab shots on the go, do
not rangefinder focus, hyperfocus. Do not meter each shot, use incident
tables for exterior exposure settings. Think of the old timer press
photogs shooting MF with 80 mm lenses and 4x5 with 130 mm lenses... you
think you have problems! They had to zone focus everything and virtually
never shot below f/16... that's one reason why they always had those
monster press bulbs flashing away even in broad daylight, so that they
could shoot at f/16 (the other reason was to control contrast)

I don't know what you like to shoot, but if your an exterior kind of
guy, on a nice sunny day you can preset your camera to f/16, 1/100th
second and 10 foot focus with asa 100 film, and shoot away to your
hearts content! With the luxury of 35 mm lenses, everything from 5 feet
to infinity will be sharp. If the light changes, preset to a different
aperture and hyperfocus distance *before* your subject presents...
always be ready for that "decisive momement!"

7 perf is a whole 'nother story and I'd suggest you shoot your brains
out with your realist first before jumping to another camera, which will
have different quirks and flaws with which you will have to deal.

> 3.  Despite my aforementioned love affair with my Realist, it has a problem
> that I've been unable to diagnose.  In many of my shots a strange vignetting
> effectshows up in the corners. (snip)
> Is this a common problem?

Extremely! Most Realist 3.5s will vignette at f/22 and many will show
corner illumination loss at f/16. This is a design flaw, and some
realists are worse than others. The only real fix is to get a Kodak
(joke!) or a Realist 2.8. Reveres are known to vignette at f/22 as
well...

Welcome to the group, enjoy your camera, and spend a great deal of time
and money shooting many rolls of film (and not on other cameras). You
will learn quickly and there is no substitute if you really want to get
going. Also, join your local stereo club to meet some really
interesting, knowledgeable and generous people!


Eric G.


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2789
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