P3D Mounting Tip of the Day

["Ivester, Paul" <ivestep@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a useful tip when mounting 5-perf (Realist) 
format stereo slides in heat seal mounts or Emde 
masks (if you still have some).  If you have a 
Realist (or a Lutes - wow! :-)) film cutter, the 
pin registration will cause the film to be cut into 
5 perf wide pieces that drop into the mounts.  If, 
however, you are using a Hama or similar film cutter, 
it is difficult to cut perfect pieces by eye.  What 
I did is tape the sprocket rack from an RBT mount to 
the Hama cutter.  Adjust the location of this so 
that the cut will occur exactly between frames.  Tape 
it firmly into place.  

Now align the film into these pins when you cut.  The 
chips will be exactly 5 perfs wide.  The chips will 
fit between the tabs on the heat seal mounts.  For 
most shots with the nearest object greater than 7 ft. 
(2 m) from the camera, the window placement will be 
adequate.  For close-ups, flatten out the alignment 
tabs and adjust your window (but don't exceed 
MAOFD! :-)).

I find that this technique can greatly speed up 
mounting, as I don't need to fiddle with the window 
on most shots.  I still check with an alignment gauge 
in case things get thrown off. 

Paul I.

mailto:ivestep@xxxxxxxxxxx


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