P3D Re: Cards vs Slides

[geoskell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

As a former 30 year member of PSA I offer the following humble observations. I have seen the stereo exhibitions decline, as well as the various print exhibitions. Meanwhile the Color(slide) salons continue to flourish as well as the addition of Nature, PJ, Travel and so on. My opinion is that the restriction that all prints must be the exhibitors' own work has led to the demise of these shows. With commercilly processed color prints allowed there has been some pickup. I have no hard statistics but my guess is that very, very few stereo cards are exhibitor processed. The novelty of the newly discovered medium also adds to its popularity.

My solution to this dilemma is to shoot color negative exclusively. I send it for processing and have slides made. This turns out to be the same processing price as E-6 transparency film. Now I look at the roll and decide whether I want to print it. Most local processors refuse to touch it because of the "odd" format. At one place I was able to explain to the operator to advance the film 5 sprockets and print 3" X  4 1/2" and I will trim off the excess. I pay for the full size. Others claim their automatic machines will not allow such a procedure. Perhaps this is true, so I send them to Minnesota. I must admit that the quality is variable. The slides are usually inferior to a good Kodachrome, sometimes they are excellent. So IMHO I have the best of both worlds!

George Skelly
P.S. The other George is only worried about his repair business.



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