[photo-3d] Kiev 35A's

[Peter Redford <predf@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to all who offered to adopt my pair of Kiev 35A's. They're on their way this morning to
their new home in sunny California.

I got a lot of Q's about them so here are some answers: I wasn't too vigorous in trying to figure
out where the light leaks were coming from (I got distracted by other projects). Both cameras
leaked, but not consistently. There weren't any obvious trouble areas, but since the whole back
and bottom come off when you open them, there are plenty of potential areas. The lenses were, as
best I could tell, quite good. When I did get a clear frame the image was crisp, and the
aperature-priority meter seemed accurate, even with the set of non-mercury batteries I had to use.
So in sum, they'd work great for stereo if the leak problem could be solved and if the electronic
shutters could be linked.

Right now I'm back to my Realist 3.5. Bless it, it gives me the best and most consistent results,
but its weight and bulk mean that I can't carry it routinely (and surreptitiously). The Kievs, in
contrast, could be closed up and dropped in the pocket. Small and compact are definitely the trend
in the "one-eyed" photo world: witness the Elphs, etc. What other stereo cameras/rigs could fit in
a pocket? The Iloca family looks sleek, but I've never seen one in person, plus I hear they have
mechanical issues. How about the Ricohs? How do people carry their XA/XA2's? I suppose a lot
depends on the bulk of the mounting bar beneath them.

Pete Redford
Madison, WI

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