[photo-3d] Viewer Review - 6 - Final thoughts

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

--- CHAPTER 6:  FINAL THOUGHTS

While 15 years ago your best bet for a wider format 
quality stereo camera was a Belplasca, today 1) more 
and more people use twin camera rigs, 2) cameras 
like FED and widened Realist 2.8s make 7p more
accessible, 3) quality twinned cameras (RBT, etc) 
are available.

Within 35mm slide film, the 41x101mm stereo format 
has survived and it is still very popular in the USA.  
The 2x2 format has perhaps increased in popularity 
but has not overshadowed the 41x101 format.   41x101 
stereo mounts are still widely supported (Albion, 
RBT, Spicer, heat seal, slip-in and various new 
mounts designed right now).  One stereo projector 
is available (by RBT) unless Bob Brackett is convinced
to make another run of his highly acclaimed stereo
projectors?

A variety of custom-made high quality slide viewers 
have become available in all 4 formats (41x101, 2x2, 
View-Master, medium format).  

To complete the picture I might as well mention that 
medium format is increasing in popularity and so are 
stereo view prints (including anaglyphs) which are 
helped by the developments in digital/computer 
technology, a trend that is expected to continue.

Back to stereo slide viewers.  There are quite a few 
new viewers in all formats available (including prints), 
waiting to separate you from your money :)  Should you 
consider buying one?  

If you are using wider slide stereo formats or 2x2 
mounts and you want to get the most viewing pleasure 
out of your quality stereo cameras, I think you 
should consider it.  

But which one?  

Here is my advice:

Attend the next NSA convention (Buffalo NY) and bring 
with you ONE good stereo slide (any format) and your 
current viewer.  Use all available viewers to view 
this ONE slide.  Make comparisons and draw conclusions.  
Look at all the aspects of the viewer:  Optical 
quality, handling, price.  It would be up to you to 
draw the conclusion.  

I insist in using the same ONE stereo slide for the 
comparison because our opinion of a specific viewer 
is affected by the image seen through this viewer 
and if this image is not top-notch or well-mounted, 
then this will reflect unfavorably on the viewer.

That's all I had to say.  I am happy I found what 
appears to be the "ideal" viewer for me.  If I had 
more friends, I would look into one of these Rotary 
Ekeren viewers :) but it looks like an RBT projector 
is my next "special treat" ehhhhrrr I mean "investment"!

Thanks for reading and ... good luck!

George Themelis