P3D RBT-S1 meets Bogen slide bar

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

My S1 is "loaded", including this remote socket at the bottom.
While this, I am sure, serves many useful purposes, the position of 
the socket is rather unfortunate because the camera will not balance 
on a flat surface.  I occasionally use a flat surface for camera 
support because I rarely carry a tripod.  I was wondering how to make 
the camera balance. I thought of the Bogen slide bar which has a flat 
plate that attaches to the camera.  I tried it and it fits like a glove!  
It has a small hole that the remote socket fits right in with the plate
centered under the camera!  With this plate attached, the S1 becomes 
super stable (the plate is wider than the camera).  

Now, with the plate attached, imagine the possibilities if you shift 
the camera.  A full-width translation of 80 mm with the Bogen slide 
bar will give you 2 pairs with the following combinations of stereo 
bases: 20 mm (inner lenses), 60 mm (regular lenses), 80 mm (RR or LL), 
140 mm (outer lenses).  

There!!! Firing the S1 twice you get to taste a variety of stereo 
bases, enough to satisfy every user!

I urge people to try this nifty "Bogen" sliding bar.  It is actually 
made by Manfrotto (Italy) and imported by Bogen.  It opens amazing 
possibilities not only with single cameras but also with stereo 
cameras!

So, after I took the Realist, the heavy Minolta Flash, the SLR and the 
lightmeter out of my camera bag, I now have plenty of space!!!  I only 
have the S1 the very compact matching Konica flash and the Bogen slide 
bar.  That's what I call "traveling light"!

Perhaps we do need a mailing list for S1 owners.  I have two names
and would like to add more.  We can exchange some tips about his 
camera so that we do not irritate those who which they could afford
one :-).

The more I read about it, the more impressed I am.  I think two years
ago, when I wrote the review in SW, I did not realize the full 
potential of this baby.  Bill Costa forwarded me this site:
http://photo.net/photo/hexar.html, which reviews the 2D Konica Hexar.
It is an accurate review and you can extrapolate it to 3D.

I can go on and on, but I won't :-)  Please send me your names if you
own an S1 and want to share a few tips on how to put it to best use!

George Themelis


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