P3D Twin X-700 sync

["DENNIS M. HANSER" <dmhanser@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings fellow 3-d enthusiasts. I have been lurking on this list for a
while, just getting the feel of how things work and learning a great
deal, and have learned more in a few months of reading this list than
previously picked up in a decade or so of reading and experimenting on
my own. Thanks to all who contribute!!!  P3-D is a great concept and a
fine way to learn and share. First a little background, then I wish to
present a problem/solution. I have been photographing in 3-d since the
early 80's or so and have tried several different camera configurations,
including Kodak, Revere, and Realist as well as twin 35mm rigs. Finally
have settled on twin 35 mm as my personal choice. Currently am using two
Minolta x-700 bodies and various lenses. After experiencing intermittant
shutter sync problems using various dual switch release designs, I built
a dual circuit electronic release to see if that would solve the
problem. The circuits are designed to be completletely isolated so that
there is no possibility of cross firing or feedback of any kind. Still,
occasionally, one camera would trip ahead of the other. Finally sat down
last weekend and played and observed and I think I've figured something
out. When using this rig, I have the cameras set in manual mode and
check the exposure using the internal light
meter, and this is the basis for my problem!! I typically check using
the right camera only and then set both cameras based on that reading.
It appears that these bodies have a different shutter delay depending on
whether the light meter and the internal display have been activated or
not!! As I played with this new information I was able to cause the
right camera to fire first by activating the right camera's meter
display and leaving the left
camera untouched (viewfinder info not displaying). By reversing this
procedure, the left camera would fire first. By activating both
displays, the set would fire in sync, and by leaving both displays off,
the set would fire in sync. The display goes off automatically in 12 to
15 secs on these units. It would appear then that my X-700 set will fire
in sync if I am careful to activate both viewfinder displays or be sure
both are off before taking the picture. All tests so far have proven
this to be true. Don't know how many readers are using these cameras,
but I would appreciate any feedback regarding this problem especially if
you have found a different, and maybe easier work around. As I am in
digest mode, and also have intermittant access to the net, my replies
may not be timely. Please be patient.

Hope this info might be helpful to someone.

Dennis Hanser

Member:  Detroit Stereographic Society
















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