P3D Re: Ilex 3.5 lenses

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

Rob answer the question about the Ilex lenses.  A little bit of
information about them:

First, from DrT's book "How to Use and Maintain your Stereo Realist
Plus an Introduction to Stereo Photography" (available from the
author and a few fine stereo dealers) I copy (yes, I have permission
from the author! :-)):

"The first 3.5 Realists were produced in 1947.  They had "Ilex 
Paragon" lenses, the older film advance mechanism, no double exposure 
prevention (DEP) button and a hyperfocal table under the lens cover. 
Early Ilex cameras also lacked the ID mark in the film gate.  From 
1947 to 1949 about 10,000 Ilex cameras were made."

So, there, I know a few things about your camera!  The serial number
must be below 10,000, stamped at the bottom.  It is one of the earlier
Realists, unusual but not really rare.  Sometime ago someone posted a link
(by Prof. Kingslake) discussing the history of optical firms in Rochester
NY.  The Ilex company was mentioned there.  So Realist bought the first
lenses from Rochester NY.  Reports say that they put a lot of effort to
make sure that the lenses were matched and met certain resolution specs.
Later, Realist switched to a different supplier and the lenses are marked
"David White".  

I used to have an Ilex Realist and I liked the contrast and sharpness.  
But I also had a couple of favorite David White 3.5 cameras which I liked 
too.  So I cannot say with certainty that one lens is better than the other.  
But the fact is that the Ilex is a 3-element lens and shows vignetting so 
modification for 7p would not work to your satisfaction. 

George Themelis
DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx