P3D Re: Coupla questions

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

I am basically in agreement Eric's replies in these questions.

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

You are talking about the shutter speed ring, not focus wheel.
Since you have opened the camera you know why this is happening.
I suggest that you put a very small amount of grease (or vaseline)
in the parts that slide against each other when you go over the
"tooth" at the 1/25 spot.  Or try and smooth them out with a small
file.  If you still have a serious problem, then consider buying
replacements from Ron Zakowski.

>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.  

In most instances I use the Realist as a P&S camera.  I do not meter or
set the exposure controls and focus at every shot.  Under the same
lighting situations, exposure does no need to be changed.  Focus can
stay fixed at some reasonable distance (from 8 to 20 feet) depending
on your subject.

>3.  Despite my aforementioned love affair with my Realist, it has a problem
>that I've been unable to diagnose. 

You are describing what is known as "vignetting" which is very common
in the Realist 3.5.  The cure for this is to avoid using f16 or f22.
And you don't really have to use these small apertures if you are
using slow film.  Use ISO 100, 64 or 50.  Even with ISO 100 the sunny
day rule says f16 @ 1/100.  You can set 1/150 and between f16-f11.
As the light goes down, open up the aperture instead of reducing the
shutter speed.  That should take care of the problem.

Welcome to photo-3d!

-- George Themelis


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