P3D Re: Where's Dr. T?

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

Dalia wrote:

>George is enjoying some very deserved time off with his family in Seattle.
>When he returns we will probably get a statistical posting of how many
>rolls he took in how much time and the cost of each shot:).

You bet!

This time I decided to take lots of film to make sure that I don't run
out.  I took a total of 30 rolls, in addition to the ones already in the
cameras.

I almost made it!  In the way back I had 2 rolls left, plus loaded cameras.
But they upgraded us to first class in the way back from Seattle.  I was
in row 5 with plenty of space and 2-3 windows to chose from.  No wings to 
worry about.  Clean windows and good weather.  I had an SLR w/winder and
managed to shoot all the rolls left and I ran out just when the plane
was landing.  I wish I had one more roll!!!!

Overall, it was a great trip!  I was told that there are only 60 days
of sunshine in Seattle.  We experienced 5 in a row!

We started by the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic National Park and 
forest.  Spent a few days in Seattle.  Finished the trip with a two day
visit to Mount Rainier.  Overall, it was great.  Everything that I saw
was begging to be stereo photographed.  From the almost monochromatic
beaches in the Pacific Ocean to rainforests, museums, glaciers.

I was carrying the following stereo equipment:  Realist 7p, Realist 5p, 
two Minolta's X-700 with pairs of 45 mm and 135 mm lenses, 24 mm lens, 
winder, two flashes, light meter, tripod, 30 rolls of film.

The twin Minolta rig was a bit of a disappointment.  One switch was not
working well, wasting film.  Plus, there was very little that I saw
that could not be photographed well with my Realists.  In a scenic
place like mount Rainier, the Realist rules.  I hear people wanting
to use SLRs and hyperstereos in places like that.  How?  Why?  
Everywhere I go, there is foreground.  There is nothing better than
photographing nature as the eyes see it.  OK, mount Rainier is far
away.  But unless you are in a helicopter you don't need hyperstereos.
Just frame it with its natural surroundings from where you stand.
Framed by trees, reflected in the water, etc.  

In the past I have used twin SLRs for faster shutter speeds or the
use of different lenses. (Not the quality of optics; the lenses in my
2.8 7p Realist are as good an anything available in SLRs.)  Faster 
speeds or different lenses were not required in this trip.  One SLR is 
fine for the occasional hyper- or slide bar stereo but two and matching
lenses is too much, IMO.

What else did I learn from this trip (stereo-photographically speaking)?

1. Bring more film!!!  Take as much as you think it is humanly possible
   to use and then throw a few rolls extra at the top of it!  Better
   bring unused film back home than miss a good stereo opportunity.

2. I regret carrying this heavy tripod to only use one or twice.  If
   I could go back in time, I would bring a monopod.  I am not an f22
   person and there is plenty of exposure range down to 2.8 @ 1/25 with 
   100 ASA film.

3. Bring rechargeable batteries for the flash.  My children have no
   patience for the flash to charge and I missed some good pictures.

4. Have all the equipment inspected and in good working order.

While I was in Seattle, I used my spare time (while the kids were 
sleeping, etc.) to mount all the rolls that I had left unmounted for 
the past few months.  Now, with 32 rolls waiting to be processed, I 
need another vacation to mount them all!!!

-- George Themelis


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