P3D SAM Review - Part II

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

SAM Review ñ part II

To use SAM with the RBT holder, just place the back part of the RBT 
mount in the slide holder, put the rails and film chips and then 
observe through the lenses.  While viewing in stereo you can perform 
the following adjustments:

a) Eliminate vertical misalignment or tilt
b) Adjust the stereo window
 
To detect/correct misalignments and to adjust the window you can use 
either the edges of the mount or the lines in the sliding alignment 
gauge, or both.  The stereo window is adjusted by simply sliding the 
RBT rails and increasing or decreasing the separation of the chips.  
(Details are provided in the instructions that come with the device.) 
It is fascinÖ., I mean intriguing to see the stereo window move while 
observing it in stereo.  When done adjusting, just put the top RBT 
cover and you are done.
 
The RBT slide holder can be used with any 41x101 mounts but foldover 
mounts cannot be opened totally flat.  One technique where SAM can be 
particularly useful is known as "free float" mounting.  This is used 
when the mount has no means to support the chips (Spicer mounts) or 
when the chips are rotated or shifted or have a non-standard format 
(vertical 35 mm, Duplex 120, cropped from Medium Format, etc.)  In 
this case you fix one of the two chips and freely "float" the other 
chip to bring into alignment with the first and then tape it down.  
This procedure, which is normally a pain in the rear, now becomes 
easier when you can see what you are doing.
 
As with most hand-made imported (for USA) stereo equipment, this 
device is rather expensive.  But the quality of design and 
construction is very good.  The achromatic lenses easily cover the 
full-frame.  Coupled with the bright and uniform light, SAM can 
easily double as a slide viewer.
 
The table is tilted for comfortable viewing.  There is plenty of space 
for the hands to work under the lenses and also the lenses can swing 
out of the way if needed.  The sliding mounting gauge is a nice idea.
 
Overall, this is a good tool for mounting slides.  It can be of value 
to anyone working with slides, and especially those who cannot 
freeview, those who work with unusual film formats or those who 
require quick and precise mounting for projection.
 
For more information, contact your local 3D dealer :-) or check with:
 
Jon Golden <3dman@xxxxxxxxxxx>
www.stereoscopy.com/3d-concepts
 
George Themelis
 


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