P3D Re: Sticking with beamsplitter

[pd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Like many others, my first stereo pictures were taken with a stereo
adapter (the Franka, in my case).  I've also tried the Stitz and the
Pentax.  In general, these have certain strengths and certain
weaknesses.  The main strengths are:

1) Can be used with modern, highly-automated cameras with excellent
   optics.

2) No mounting to worry about.

3) Suitable for slides or prints.

The weaknesses are:

1) Tall, narrow frame format.

2) Slide viewer optics limited ... I got "ghosting" and reflections in
   a lot of my slides.

3) Imposes constraints on focal length and aperture for shooting.

I moved to a Realist, and shot with one or more of those for several
years.

I'm now using a twin camera rig for almost all my shooting.  This has
all the advantages listed above for splitters, and none of the
disadvantages.  The one drawback I can think of is having to deal with
two slides instead of one, but this is a minor concern for me.

When the day comes that I have an "extra" $4000, I'll probably buy
some form of RBT.

I'll always keep a splitter, though, since I may want to try to use it
with a video camera, digital camera, etc.

-pd


-- 
--------
                             Peter Davis
               Funny stuff at http://www.pfdstudio.com
    List of resources for children's writers and illustrators at:
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