[photo-3d] Viewer Review - 5 - An Alternative

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxxxxx>]

--- CHAPTER 5:  AN ALTERNATIVE

If this or other custom-made viewers are still out of 
your price range, consider this less expensive alternative, 
courtesy of Grant Campos. 

Buy a pair of Hugo deWijs 45mm lenses (available from 
3D Concepts in the USA).  These are fine lenses with 
double achromats in each eyepiece.  The quality of the 
image is as good as the Ekeren lenses in the 5XR viewer 
or better (I have not done a side-to-side comparison).  
They come installed in metal holders, which is 
convenient for this project.

Install these lenses in a viewer that focuses by moving 
the slide carrier (that would be less complicated than 
focusing the lenses.)  The ideal viewer for this job is 
a Kodaslide I viewer.  You should be able to get one for 
$50 or less.  I have a stock of these which I have taken 
apart to use their parts - they are that bad! (and 
impossible for me to sell - with a straight face, that
is - and still make a profit :))  I might be able to sell 
you the parts you need, including a properly enlarged 
carrier (see below).

Throw away the cheap plastic lenses in this viewer and 
sell the lens holders (there are people who need them!)  
Install the lenses by drilling a wider opening and 
gluing them in place.  

This is the tricky part.  Perhaps Grant can illuminate 
us on this.  The lenses need to be properly aligned and 
placed at a convenient distance from the slide holder 
which allows freedom for focusing in both sides of 
the "optimum" focus plane.

Enlarge the slide holder.  Highly recommended - after 
all you, want to see everything, don't you?  Even if 
you don't use wider formats today, maybe you will use 
them tomorrow.  I can enlarge the carrier for a fee 
but if you are able to mount the lenses you should
certainly be able to enlarge the carrier!

Properly repair the friction pad of the slide carrier 
and put everything together, including a new reflector.  
I can help you with that too.  I supply rubber material 
for the focusing shaft and plastic to cut out a reflector.

If everything works well you will soon have a 
supercharged viewer rewarding you with great stereo 
images.  I was very impressed by Grant's viewer in Mesa.

There is only one weak point:  Illumination.  You will 
use the viewer with batteries and a centrally-located 
halogen (frosted recommended) bulb.  Light fall off is 
expected but things can get better with a custom 
painting of the light compartment.  

Still, there are two legs that support the reflector and 
get in the way for wider formats.  These could be 
eliminated.  I have seen Brenda modify a KII viewer 
where these are removed and the reflector extended further.  
So, yes, it can be done.

It sounds like a lot of work but it will pay off in 
cost savings.  But if you are a filthy rich lazy son 
of a gun (like DrT) then go for the professionally 
assembled viewer.

I will now conclude with a few final remarks.

George Themelis