P3D Re: Realist Critique for New Users

[michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Kersenbrock)]

> The Realist is not only heavy, it is also sharp.  That is to say, when it
> hits you, it hurts.  The thing is all sharp angles and solid metal. While

Thought the comments about it being a great weapon were whimsical?  Uh-uh.  :-)

> The shutter release is on the wrong side.
> It winds backward.  

The designer was left-handed and so he designed it for lefties who are
presumably delighted that there finally was a camera NOT built backwards.  :-)

> The focusing mechanism is totally, er, unique.  There's

It's focusing mechanism was re-invented within the last five or so
years by one of the zillion-dollar-per-camera European camera companies (not 
Leica, the other one, the name escapes me...) and was advertised as
a breakthrough in camera technology!!!  :-)

> In summary, I found the Stereo Realist to be a sharp, heavy weapon that is
> likely wound you and those near you. The photos my Realist took were of
> good quality, but not stunningly better than I am able to obtain with other
> less torturous cameras. Newcomers to the Realist are bound to be frustrated
> with it's backward controls and backward design.

Unless of course one is left handed.  :-)

It has been pretty much declared one of the hardest to use pretty steadily
over the years, even by it's staunchest proponent(s).  It's main claim
to fame is that it's inexpensive and  not hard to find because they are
plentiful -- and that they are sturdily built.  I've about a dozen or so
stereo cameras and when I tested their shutter speeds, only the realists
and the TDC Vivid had shutter speeds "on the money".

> 
> I understand the Realist has its supporters who either ignore its faults or
> embrace them.  

Personally, I think a Kodak stereo is the more perfect starter camera (or
non-starter) once the shutter has been cleaned by someone.  Easier to use 
and it "forces" hyper-focal use, which one wants to do anyway, even with a 
realist.  They are often/usually cheaper than the Realists, and just as common.

Mike K.


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