[photo-3d] Realist question response

["Joseph Petrarca" <jpetrarca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul Young wrote:

A couple of (several) jargon (and otherwise) questions from a
beginning photographer/3D photographer:

What are "RBT" mounts?
German imported, plastic, resuable, stereo mounts with ability to vary
seperation/alignment vertically and horizontally.  White side faces
projector lamp, black side faces towards screen (reflects heat).  Or if hand
viewing only, black towards viewer.  Very handy, very nice, very good for
projection.

What does the acronym "SLR" stand for?
Single Lens Reflex- One lens on camera- you view thru it and "take" thru it
via revolving mirror escapement.

Stereo Realist question:

How does the "Hot Shoe" flash attachment work on a Stereo Realist?
Hot shoe on Realist is "almost but not quite" what we need for conventional
flash.  There was an old bulb-type unit available with the camera that fit
onto the hot shoe.  Probably a good bet if you need MAJOR punch- for
lighting up a cave or auditorium, etc. It has a little ball bearing size
nub/contact that does not recess or depress.  This fact keeps modern flash
shoes from fitting.  You need an adaptor, sold by Real-#D and others, which
fits on and gives you a PC cord connection.  You then mount you modern flash
to the adaptor and make the electrical connection via a PC cord between the
adaptor and the flash.  Downside is that the adaptor/flash rig becomes a bit
"wobbly"-especially with a larger flash unit.  Alternative is to get a
bracket which camera "bolts" to and has an arm which holds flash.  this is
less convenient, but brings the flash-head off-axis of the lens, thus
avoiding redeye.  If I'm taking a lot of people pictures, I will go to the
bracket.

I've heard many instances of using an electronic flash with a
Realist.  How is the electronic flash triggered from this "HotShoe"?
Per the above comments, you attach the flash, rig up the PC cord, set the
flash to same aperature as you set camera to, fire camera.  That's it.  You
have the advantage with the Realist in that the shutter is leaf-type (versus
focal plane in most SLR's) and you can fire flash at any shutter speed.
Don't have to worry about flash sync (usually 1/60 or 1/125 on focal plane
shutters)  Flash produces dramatic effects and it is worth becoming
proficient at it.  Even during bright daylight, flash will "fill" in shadow
areas and make your subject "pop" when done right. A good flash to start
with is the Vivitar 283.  It's the Ford F150 of flashes-pretty reliable and
pretty powerful-widely available used for around $65.  Takes 4 AA batteries-
and also a NC3 nicad pack available although you will need the carger for it
(Charge20) as well.  A good unit.  The Vivitar 285 is next step up-same
power as 283 (guide number 120 @ 100 ISO film speed) but has variable power
for manual mode.

Any light box recommendations (style, size) for use in mounting
slides?
I cheaped out and got a piece of glass set ove two blocks and shine my desk
lamp under it.  It works fine for now and I can cut on it without worrying.

How about tweezers for handling chips? Do you use them? Any
particular kind more practical?
I just use white film-lab type of gloves and handle the film directly.

How about a magnifier for looking at the slides... necessary,
recommended, don't bother?
I usually don't check my #D stuff with a loupe, just the viewer.  but I do
use my loupe on standard transparencies

I just ordered some "heat seal" cardboard mounts from Reel3D. Good,
Bad, Ugly? Heat seal 'em, or just tape 'em in?
Never used them.  RBT's are so nice.
One recommendation- GET A METER or set your SLR to the same ISO and use it
for metering.  I worked without a meter in the beginning too and had mixed
results as you did.  Don't waste film and get frustrated, get a meter
(Gossen's LunaPro is nice and reliable-although batteries are a bit tricky)
E-mail me off-line if you need to yak some more.
-Joseph Petrarca

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll have more. Awaiting the arrival of
DrT's Realist book. I just shot my first roll of film (FUJI Sensia
100) with the Realist I bought off ebay (paid the high end of market
value for an early 3.5 with Ilex lenses). I'm still figuring out
aperture size and speed settings. Snaps I took inside all turned out
too dark, outside shots look OK.  Also trying to get to a point where
I have what I need for a bit... this stuff is starting to get
expensive.  I have my camera (Realist), viewer (Red Button), some
mounts and a mounting gauge on their way to me.  Need? Lightbox,
magnifier, and what else... maybe a flash eventually.  Would
appreciate any feedback you feel up to offering.

Thanks,
Paul Young