P3D RE: Nishika camera question

[Michael Georgoff <Michael_Georgoff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gerald Belton was wondering about the Nishika, as seen on ebay for about
$40, as a low cost way do 3d prints for slides.

Actually, my dear Dad was given a complete Nishika set as a gift very many,
years ago, and he gave it to many years ago.. I figured it was goofy until
the 3D bug bit me (and quite hard, I might add).  Good way to start, though,
and at a low entry price (for me it was free!). Some notes:

1. By all means shoot a roll of lenticular prints.  They are worth it for
entertainment value.

2. Shoot C41 and have it printed by any one hour joint that is cheap or you
have coupons for.  You will end up with two images per print.  This
sometimes causes one-hour photo personnel to think they can't do that, or
that they won't do that, or that you have a weird camera. That's okay, tell
them you have a special "quad print camera" made especially for getting you
quad-duplicate prints.  Get your prints and a pair of scissors, and cut and
select your far left and far right image.  Glue on cardboard parallel for
use with a lorgnette or stereopticon. Glue cross-eyed to free-view (or
parallel to free-view if you can do that).  You now have stereocards.

3. Shoot slide film, have it processed (communicate clearly: do not cut, do
not mount).  Buy 1/2 frame mounts, RBT's are easiest to start with, 1/2
frame paper ones are less expensive but force a slide mounting learning
curve on you.  Again, use far left and far right images.  $3.95 for a cheesy
viewer, and you've viewing your stereo slides.

4. The Nishika is the poor, cheap, unloved version of the much nicer (and
priced for it) Nimslo.  The Nishika has plastic lenses (about 28 mm?), fixed
focus at, oh, about 6 or 8 feet.  And (thanks to Greg W. for info) the
shutter speed is fixed at 1/60th second, and the apertures are f/8, f/11 and
f/19. (aperture set via turning knob from sun icon to cloudy icon).  I think
the manual states ASA100 film only, so consider this a "sunny-19" shooter.

5. If you want to use close up filters (creativity required), you do have
four lenses, so if you can get your focus closer, you can select from 4
images to find the best pair.

I have used my four-eyed plastic wonder camera for lents, prints, and
slides.  Not a bad way to start for cheap.  But, you may consider this a
test, and if it's still fun after some use, go for the full $100 or so
investment and get a Realist or Kodak.  (Do consider Dr. T for "starter
sets" of Realist, viewer, and patient advice).

(Hey, P3D regulars, no snickers!  A Nishika is a good way to start!)


Michael Georgoff
San Jose, CA


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