P3D Seton Rochwite Polarizers

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

Martha McCann tells us a story how she got a Realist with the
Seton Rochwite polarizers for only $886 with fingers shaking
in the keyboard to grab it the last minute in the Ebay auction.  
Some people might wonder, is this gizmo worth that money?  Well, 
others have paid more.

I am sure I have the details wrong but Seton Rochwite (the
inventor of the Realist) made these polarizer sets in the early 
70s in his workshop.  (I have seen a picture of his workshop,
courtesy of John Dukes, in the process of making the polarizers)
He only sold 141 of these, all numbered with a serial number.  
You must replace your Realist's lens cap assembly and put the 
polarizer assembly.  There are three polarizers, one for each 
lens and one for the viewfinder.  They all rotate together so 
you see the effect through the viewfinder.  The custom lens cap 
closes over the polarizers.

I think Seton was selling these for around $100 in the early 70s.
Not many were sold back then... maybe people thought they were
too expensive...  It is an ingenious system, but is it worth the 
money asked today (if you can find them!)?  I'd personally go with 
the 82 mm filter.  (Thanks Mikael for the idea!)

BTW, Seton is still alive.  He is in his 90s, has lost his hearing
but still mentally alert to write a letter to Dalia last year.
He lives in Colorado.  Lost his wife a few years ago.

George Themelis


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