P3D Twinned XR-10Ms

["Jim Harp" <matmail2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Can XR-10M's be found easily?  Are they expensive?  Are they auto-focus, 
>auto-exposure, etc?
>
>I can't imagine having to focus and set two cameras all the time.  That 
>would make a Realist seem like a point-and-shoot.
>
As I mentioned earlier, this is not the rig for close, quick spontaneous
shots.  On the other hand, waiting a year for an S-1 isn't the most
spontaneous thing I've ever heard of either.  I got my XR-10Ms last year at
Cambridge Camera in New York - the pair cost me about $400 including 50mm
Vivitar lenses.  I've heard XR-10Ms also show up at camera fairs.  The
camera has aperture priority AE - I find the meter to be reliable for
daylight exposures, but I always set exposure manually to make sure both
cameras match.  Focusing is manual, but I can often leave focus at infinity,
especially when using the 28mm wide angle lenses I got recently.  Having to
focus and check the settings for both cameras changes the sort of shooting I
do.  I find I tend to more carefully compose my shots, and I go through a
lot less film than when I'm using my Nimslo.  If you've never hauled around
a twin SLR rig before you might be surprised at all the attention you
attract.  People often ask me if I'm a journalist or if I'm carrying a
back-up camera.  I try to bring along a pocket slide viewer to enlighten the
curious.  Jim Harp