P3D Duke's viewer

["Grant C. Campos" <gcc6094@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just wanted to comment on my new Duke's View-master viewer from Dahlia,
and on the View-master format in general.

It really is impressive.  First, even though my eyes are narrow set,  the
viewer's interocular distance and lens size are such that I can see the
entire window (edge of each image) if I have it positioned just right.
I'm sure that most people will be blown away by this viewer.  The image
quality is is as good as my Kodaslide II as best as I can tell, because
the reels I have looked at are mass produced.  I'll mount my first reel
in a few days here.  Then I'll really know if it would me cheaper to go
view-master all the way.  

Viewmaster plusses are as follows:

* The mounting is easier, more precise, and cheaper than Realist format.
  (even at $2 per reel, thats 28 cents per pair for projectable precision
  slip in mounts)  (If I buy in bulk directly from the source I can get
  them for even less than that)

* The high quality viewer is comparably priced to that for Realist Format.

* Cheap viewers are everywhere, and more people already have one at home.

* You can see seven pairs without changing slides.

* The projector uses only one bulb, (half the cost).

* Storage of images is more compact.

* The cost per pair for film and processing is cheaper.
  (One roll of Velvia at $10 plus $5 processing comes out to 21 cents 
   a pair vs. 57 cents a pair for a realist)

The drawbacks are that the image quality might not be as good? and the
cutter, camera, and projector are more expensive and a little harder to
find, close-ups are a challenge too.  I've not heard of prints from a
View-master either.

Don't get me wrong, I like my Realist and I think I'll like my twinned
Olympus OM-G's once I get them synced (with the advice of Bob Aldridge).  

I might just end up being a multi format kinda guy.

Grant Campos


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