P3D RE: RBT and Mounting

["David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxx>]

For all the info you need on RBT cameras go to Jon Golden's 3D 
Concepts web site at:

http://www.stereoscopy.com/3d-concepts-rbt-usa/

Jon is on vacation until the 7th and won't be able to answer your 
emails until then.

There is a wide range of RBT cameras available from the "point 
and shoot" S1 to the full featured X3. Prices range from about 
$2000.00 (for an X4) to close to $6000.00 (for an X3 and the 
Macro attachment). Weights vary for each model.

I own an X3 and found it to be quite large and heavy when I first got 
it. It only took about two weeks of heavy (no pun intended) shooting 
to get used to the size and weight. In fact, I got out my K1000 the 
other day and found it hard to hold and use because of its small 
size (it was like using a 110). I should let you know that I do a lot of 
outdoor activities like caving, back packing, rafting, etc. and I take 
the camera with me. I have yet to find its size and weight a problem.

About mounting: It only takes about 30 minutes (there is a learning 
curve that should be no more than ten rolls before you get to the 30 
minute time frame) to mount up a roll of slides using the RBT jig and 
Spicer mounts. It takes longer to go down to the store to buy the 
film, and a whole lot longer to shoot a roll. Give up just one of those 
stupid situation comedies a night and you could mount five rolls a 
week.

And we are talking precision mounting here that is projection and 
competition ready.

The cost is less than $0.15 a pair including mounts and tape. An 
initial investment in a film cutter and light box is all the extras that 
are needed.

There is also something about mounting your own slides that is 
hard to put in words. Taking the raw film strip, cutting it down, 
placing the chips in the jig, adjusting the window, securing them in 
the mount, and then popping them in the viewer for the first look. It's 
as if you really created the final view. Sending off your film to a 
service bureau and getting back a poorly mounted final product in 
an inferior mount just doesn't make sense after all the time and 
effort you put into acquiring the image in the first place.

Sorry about the ranting. If anyone wants more information on the 
RBT jig to Spicer mounting method feel free to contact me or 
search the archives or go to Steve Spicer's home page at:

http://www.werple.net.au/~kiewavly/photo1.html

Follow the links under projects to see how to modify and use the 
RBT mount as a jig.

That's all for now,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx


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