P3D 3-D beam splitter statement & info needed for new 3D camera

[DeanCainMan@xxxxxxxxx (Joseph Covington)]

Hi all!  well, most of you told me so, and you were right!  The beam
splitter is CRAPOLA!  I tried shooting with the 'Franka' beam splitter
this past weekend and what a fiasco that was!  So to all newbies to 3-D,
it's not the way to go.
In theory the beam splitter is a great idea because you can use the SLR
that you have and just by this attachment get stereo photos, but the
technology of it actually working is not there.  Not only was it a pain
to get the image lined up in the viewfinder and move the mirrors just
so, I could not achieve good focus, do to the fact that if you turn the
splitter it would move the focusing and if you focus it would rotate the
splitter!  Then to add the proverbial cherry on top, the damn thing got
screwed in so tight on the step-up ring when trying to rotate it to
focus that I had to pull the splitter off of the lens very hard (all the
while being afraid it was going to screw up my lens) and then use wire
cutters to cut off the  step-up ring from the lens because it had
screwed in so tightly while rotating focus and rotating the splitter!!
Needless to say I was pretty upset!  This was the first time I had used
my brand new Minolta Maxxum 500si SLR and I was afraid this cutting off
bit would ruin something without ever having shot my first photograph!!!
>:-(
So I did not even get to photograph anything with it do to this mess.
So all I have now is the Loreo point and shoot camera now (which sucks
too).

Now I'm at the point I need to make a major decision, buying a Stereo
Realist (which I don't like the fact that they are not modern with light
meters and such) or perhaps buying another 500si and mounting it to a
slide bar (which I have never done or seen done).  I know there are a
bunch of you Realist fans out there, but ALL Realist I have seen (since
1984) in resale shops have been corroded and rusty as hell!  The ones I
have seen in my used camera stores here in Houston start at $300 to $700
for an unrefurbished decrepid Realist.  I great guy, Norm Henkels, that
I have met through P3D has told me about some he sells for less and has
been mechanically cleaned to operate smoothly.  So if I go the Realist
route I still am apprehensive about the 'unmodernized' qualities, like
no light meter built in, no hot shoe (although I have see you can buy an
adapter).  Are there interchangable lenses for the realist or are they
fixed lenses?  If they are interchangable can you get new lenses are are
you stuck scowering resale shops for old ones?  In a nutshell what do
you guys absolutly love about shooting with the Realist and what is not
so great about it?  Also, my main choice in the finished product is
prints not slides.  How does a realist work in this capacity?

Ok, now, the other option is getting a slide bar (I think?) and what? a
double ended sync cord?  and buy another SLR and shoot 3-D that way.
This option would cost quite a bit more money though (camera kit with a
35mm to 70mm lens: $450 plus any other lenses and accessories needed)
In this route I know I could shoot for prints as well as slide if need
be.

This is where I need your help.  What is the best system to get for
QUALITY 3-D photos (for prints) and if the two SLR route is decided,
where do I get info on how to use and buy a good quality slide bar and
double sync cord (if that's what I need)?  Do you have to mount this
system on a tripod or can it be hand held?  If the Realist is the way to
go (for prints) what do I need to 'modernize' it and do you guys use a
hand held meter or guess at the correct exposure?

Are there other types of 3-D cameras with double lenses (not Nishika or
Nimslo) maybe I'm not aware of besides the site (don't remember the
name) that sells brand new ones custom made in Germany starting at
$2000?   It seems to me that some MODERN company would make a double
lens camera nowdays that would take good photos.  Buying a camera that
is 48 years old and having to buy two SLR which are not cheap seems such
a roundabout way to go to get 3-D photos.
Is there not enough of a demand for these 3-D cameras that the BIG
companies can't make them, like Cannon, Minolta and the others?

I'm confused which is the best way to go and not have to spend a lot of
money and then not be happy with the results.

Thanks for taking the time an effort to read this LONG posting!  Any
suggestions are deeply appriciated and will be printed out and saved for
future reference.

Camera Perplexed in Houston,

                         Joseph Covington


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