P3D Re: Stereo Realist Owner's Manual on-line?

[Bill Davis <bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In Digest 3396 Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999:

>From: Greg Downing <downing@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>Hi folks,
>     I just got a Stereo Realist on loan for a month from the Oakland CA 
>stereo club, and in my haste I walked off without the owner's manual. :-( 
>I didn't think it would be a problem but now I have my film loaded and 
>can't figure out how to cock let alone release the shutter. Is the 
>realist owner's manual available on-line anywhere? -Thanks

What a helpful response I saw to this gentleman's request!

Page after page of wonderful advice and all the instructions for loading,
advancing, shooting, even detailed instructions on how to properly hold the
Realist.  There's even a new book you can buy to really explain this
camera.  Wow!  I could only add this one suggestion:



When you take the Realist back to the club, see if they have a Kodak Stereo
you can borrow.  No instructions needed for loading, cocking advancing etc.
 Everything is intuitive and/or labeled.  

IMHO, one's early experience in stereo photography should be concerned with
the practice and joy of capturing one's visions, learning to make the best
use of this whole extra dimension  suddenly available in front of your
camera. Enough to be concerned with all the rethinking of composition and
technique for 3-D images.

Struggling to remember unusual mechanical procedures adds an unnecessary
burden to the new stereographer, especially so if they are not yet
well-practiced with a manual camera either.  

The Kodak is simple to operate but very functional.

To load, pull up rewind knob, drop cassette in, push rewind knob down.
Pull leader over to takeup reel, hook first or second perf. Close (hinged)
back, which automatically latches.  

Advancing the film (with large, comfortable knob) also cocks the shutters.
Shutter release (located where you expect it) also releases advance lock
(like you might expect).  Advance and fire twice then set counter (29 or
20).  Advance again to begin shooting. Shutter speeds, f-stops and focus
are clearly marked and easy to set.

Hold it *any way you want*, as long as all fingers are somwehere behind the
lenses. Preview through large, bright viewfinder image.   Press shutter
release with any convenient finger.  

To rewind, hold rewind release (bottom of camera), flip open most excellent
crank and rewind film.

After awhile, once you've become more comfortable and/or capable you may
want to borrow or buy a Realist.  They're reported to be quite reliable and
rugged, and the lenses, shutter speeds and f-stops are nearly the same as
what the Kodak offers.  Both are plentiful and comparably priced in the
used market.  

>
>Greg Downing
>IS&T Helpline
>
>

Bill Davis
mailto:bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

They used to make cars where you had to set the choke, turn the ignition
switch, depress the clutch then step on the starter button just to get
going.  Later models offered improved design.  :--)


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