P3D Re: Viewers

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

>what are the different features, and relative pros and cons of the 
>Realist red, green and white button viewers ?  Also, are there 
>less collectible (translation: cheaper) viewers out there that are 
>just as good for the mere user who humbly admits that he wants only 
>to view pictures with it?

Let me point out that the Realist red button and the Kodaslide II are
among the most popular viewers.  There are plenty of these around
so the price reflects more value and less collectability.  People
buy them to use them.  The high prices (they are as expensive to
buy as the cameras, even though there were 5-10 times cheaper to buy
in the 50s) reflect high demand from users.  A good viewer should
be the next serious investement after the stereo camera.  As one
great stereo photographer (yeah, I am modest too :-)) once said: 
"You only use the camera once to take the picture, but you use the 
viewer over and over again to enjoy this picture and share it with 
others".

Important factors to consider when buying viewers:

- Lenses:  Cheaper viewers have simple lenses (glass or plastic).
           More expensive viewers have achromatic lenses.

- Controls:  Cheap lenses have no controls.  Next step up is focusing.
             One step further up is interocular adjustment.

- Internal Illumination:  Cheap viewers do not have any.  Next step up
            is battery operation.  More expensive viewers offer both
            battery and AC variable illumination.

This is a general guideline for viewer prices:

  $3- $10: Simple, non adjustable, no illumination.
 $30- $80: Simple lenses, focusing, illumination, usually no interocular.
$100-$200: Achromatic lenses, internal illumination, full adjustments
   > $200: Sequential, rare or specialty viewers (e.g. De Wijs viewers).

Popular Realist-format viewers include:

- Radex: $3.50 (Reel 3-D new).  As simple as it gets but good value for 
  the money.  Also, RBT, etc.

- Brumberger:  Simple lenses (plastic), screw focusing.  Workhorse produced
  over many years (known as Star-D when Reel 3-D carried it) $30-$50 used.
  Other viewers under $80 (used):  Life-Like, Kodaslide I (plastic lenses), 
  Realist Handi viewer, TDC (standard), Sterling.  The Realist white button
  should be in this group because of single element lenses (glass) but
  rarity and ignorance has pushed prices as high as the red button.

- Usually over $100 (all these have achromatic lenses):  Realist red
  button, Revere, TDC (Deluxe - with red focusing control).

- Viewers with AC/DC (in the $150 range):  Realist green button,
  Kodaslide II.

- Sequential viewers:  Airequipt, Roto-Vuer.

All viewers have strong and weak points.  Too long to point out here.
I am working on a book on stereo viewers to cover many of these points.
Certain people favor certain viewers... just like with cameras!  I freely
admit that the Realist red button viewer is my favorite.

Perhaps the best deal is a red button (or Revere, or equivalent) with 
chips or repaired cracks that don't hinder operation for well under $100 
(if you can find one).  I specialize in modifying the red button for 8p 
and the Kodaslide II for 7p.  Plus, I carry supplies like halogen bulbs 
and power supplies for viewers and I can repair most viewers.  Also, I 
have a series of books on popular viewers.

If you cannot wait for my book, contact me for advice on prices or 
features of any viewer!  Have your credit card ready... :-)

George Themelis


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