P3D DrT's list of valuable 3d resources

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

While digging into my files to find information for the Realist, I
ran into this posting... posted a year ago.  -- George

----

Bruce's list of a "beginner's kit" inspired me to write my own list
of valuable 3d resources... These are things I have found useful,
in the order by which they appeared into my life:

- H.C. McKay: I was lucky to find his 1949 book at the Northwestern U. 
  Library.  That's how I became aware of the "Stereo Realist".  He 
  remains my favorite stereo writer.  

- Reel-3d:  So, you think you are alone... And then comes Reel-3d.
  A new world of wonderful resources opens for you.  Stereo Heaven.
  Mastercard/Visa accepted. :-)

- Stereo Realist 3.5:  Yeap!  It's at the top.  $85 in a garage
  sale.  It is amazing that a camera from 1947 can take such 
  fantastic stereo pictures!

- Fujichrome 100:  Inexpensive, easy to get, convenient (E6 processing)
  Yes, it might not last 100 years but... I won't either.

- Sunny-day rule:  Hey, light is not a mystery any more.

- Slip-in mounts:  Let's stop kidding here.  You just cut your first roll.
  Slip-ins is where you are going to stick the chips. 

- Reel-3d's $3 viewer (now $3.25).  It gets you started and going...

- EMDE mounts:  Believe it or not, these are the best mounts for a
  beginner.  Accurate mounting in a flash.

- Stereo World:  After all, it is "The Magazine of 3-Dimensional
  Imaging, Past & Present"

- NSA conventions:  Yes, they are a blast!!!

- Freeviewing:  Wow!!! I can do that?!?!

- Realist red button viewer:  There is only one viewing device
  better than a Realist red button viewer:  A 7p Realist red button
  viewer (preferably, modified by DrT :-))

- B&H:  Finally!!! A *reliable* mail order company from NY!  Stock
  up on this film!

- Flash-on-a-Realist:  A bright idea.  Who needs the sun?

- Squeeze-bubble cable release (later replaced by mechanical self-
  timer): You must get yourself in some of these pictures too!
  Especially the ones of you holding your newborn.  Perfect for
  single people or those married to an uncooperative spouse. ;-)

- Stereo Realist Manual (book) and Piper's Technical Pages:
  Education, education, education...

- SLR(s):  Definitely the best thing after the Realist.  A whole
  new world of creative stereo photography opens immediately.

- Hyperstereos:  Is there any one not amazed by their first 
  hyperstereos?

- Macro lens:  You've got an SLR?  You need a macro lens! 

- Slide bar:  With SLR and macro lens, you better have a slide bar!

- Albion mounts:  EMDE is dead.  Long live Albion!!!  I have spent the
  best hours of my life mounting in Albion mounts.  Freedom to position
  the window in 5p mounts was a revelation for me, thanks to Albion
  mounts.  Not to mention storing 1000 of them in a small box :-)

- SSA (Stereoscopic Society of America) folios:  Best way to share your
  work and make long-lasting friendships.

- Photo-3d:  Possibly best thing ever happened in my life.  Lots of
  friends and thought-provoking ideas/discussions.

- TDC 116, a.k.a. "the workhorse"!  What a beast!!!

- 70" Da-Lite screen.  Yes, it can fit in the basement!

- Your Stereo Club:  For me, it was Detroit.  For you it might be
  something else.  If you are lucky to have a stereo club within
  180 miles from your area (I call this "driving distance") then
  consider yourself lucky.  Through Detroit I became serious about
  stereo photography for exhibition and we got the knowledge and
  courage to start a stereo club in our area (Cleveland).

- PSA:  Valuable resources available for the stereo photographer.  
  And these "salons"!  What fun!!!!  The heart is ticking when the
  voting report is spotted in the mailbox.

- Stereoscope with Achromatic lenses:  Throw the rest away! :-)

- Frosted halogen bulbs:  First it was just halogen bulbs.  Bright
  consistent viewer illumination.  Now, we add the word "even".

- RBT Mounts:  The fast food of accurate stereo projection.

- 7p Realist.  Belplasca?  What's a Belplasca? :-)

This was my short list. I am sure I have omitted a few items.  I did
not mention any names, but I owe lots to many people.  I have also
not mentioned recent resources like: Talbot storage pages, Brackett 
Dissolver, Spicer mounts (and alignment jig), Dan-CD, etc. that have 
not pass the test of time yet. :-)

-- George Themelis


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