P3D Re: Slide Mounting Rigs

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

>1. Light box seem to be universal.
>2. Film chip movement is primary by finger and thumb, with some mechanical
>   assists (and some very elaborate).
>3. Various chip-hold-down methods.
>4. Mounting gauges seem to be in use.
>5. Optical assists are common.

It all depends on the mounts you are using.  When I use Albions or
RBTs I do not use a light box, mounting gauges or optical assists.
I do use my fingers (with a glove in one hand) to move the chips
and freeview the stereo window in the FL light above or in the white
paper over which I do the mounting. 

>The RBT-to-Spicer method, as mentioned by the good Doctor Dave, is great IF
>you have "square" to begin with, wherein the camera was close enough to
>level when the shot was taken.  For me, hand-held shooting with a  Realist
>(lacking the Kodak's bubble level), level is achieved about 50 or 60% of the
>time, which means I've got to rotate both film chips equally in mounting.

Not really... Contrary to common belief, unlevelled shots do not lead
to misalignments during mounting.  By rotating the chips to level the
horizon in the picture you are introducing vertical misalignments.
I would recommend that the chips are left square and no attempt is made
to correct for a non-levelled shot... except for very special cases.

>I may look into figuring out how to get a bubble level arrangement in front
>of the viewfinder window, as I apparently am "level-impaired". 

There is bubble-level accessory for the Realist, sold by a third party
in the 50s.  I have had a few of these for sale in sell-3d.  Rather
rare but I have managed to find 3-4 so far.

George Themelis


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