P3D Rear screen projection, etc.

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

I just had the most weird phone conversation... A Mr. John Smith
called me from Washington DC to ask about Belplascas stereo cameras.
He got my name from a mutual friend.  Mr. Smith has been taking
stereo pictures for 30 years now, mounts his slides in 2x2 mounts.
He uses a Kodak stereo camera and twin cameras etc.  When the 
subject came to the Realist he said that he does not even call the 
Realist a camera but rather a product.  He believes that the 
designer of this product should be shot, but he did not elaborate...

Anyway, he mentioned that he is has done "split frame stereo" (this
means "beamsplitter" format) seen in rear screen projection.  He
said that if you match the focal length of the projector lens with
that of the taking camera lens then you eliminate any keystone
distortion.  For a 35mm camera lens that means using a 35mm projection
lens.  He mentioned a Bueler (sp?) 1 1/2 inch projection lens.  He is
currently using a 4x4 rear projection screen and sits 6-8 feet away
from it.  I asked if he uses the same device to project that he uses
to take the pictures and he said that he has made his own device
with adjustable mirrors to fit in front of the projector.

He swears that the experience is unique.  He mentioned that
a firm in CA: "Stuart Film Screen Company" sells rear projection
screens and encouraged me to call their number 310-784-5300 or
1-800-762-4999 to get literature and samples.  He says this company
deals with the Pentagon and corporate conference projection setups
and their products are very good.

Mr. Smith is disappointed that people still use 40 year old stereo
camera technology.  He is in the process of writing a book about
some technical aspects of stereo and he might send me a draft at
some time in the future.  He has done a lot of hacking work and he
thinks that this is the way to go.  I mentioned the RBT company 
that makes SLR stereo cameras and he said he is familiar with them 
(also the deWijs viewers) but the cost of these products is a 
problem in his opinion.

Finally, he is aware of the Potomac Society of Stereo Photographers
in Washington DC and he was a member some 20 years ago... but he 
calls it the Geriatric (instead of Photographic) society for obvious
reasons (note: he sounds quite a bit old himself in the phone, I'd
guess he is in his 80s).  He says he has no interest in being 
involved with a group of people who take pictures of monuments and 
get little trophies for them.

This gentleman sounds like a real gem.  I will let you know what
else comes up from my communications with him.  Sorry, no email.

George Themelis