[photo-3d] Loreo Thoughts or Why I bought one

[Rory Hinnen <Rory.Hinnen@xxxxxxxxxx>]

"Dr. George A. Themelis" wrote:
> 
<snip>
>
> Can you recommend a Realist to an old lady (apologies to
> all old ladies in this list) or to child?  There is a good
> portion of our population that would be very happy with
> a Loreo.
> 
> George Themelis
> 
> >I also find it hard to recommend to a beginner a camera that doesn't
> >take sharp pictures. 
<snip>


Okay, I agree with both of these statements. Recently I was confronted
with recommending (or even purchasing) a stereo camera for a beginner. I
chose the Loreo, and this is why:

My friend is not a photo guy. My friend is also not stupid (one of the
smarter people I hang around with). My friend also has a family of five
and a job that requires traveling all around the world.

I couldn't support the decision to go with a classic camera because:

a) slide film is getting difficult to find. I used to find fuji and
kodachrome is multiple speeds at target and walmart. Lately, all I find
is kodachrome 100.

b) slide film is more difficult to develope. I had to run around for a
week or so before I found someone who could deal with my requirements
(slide, no cutting)

c) mounting is time consuming. Very. At least to start. And it costs in
supplies that are not easy to find (not as easy as going down to walmart
and picking stuff up). Yeah, once I knew where to go, I had no problem
getting everything, but until I figured it out, it was a hurdle.

d) A realist is not all you need. Light meter, slide film, cutter of
some kind (I really don't think scissors are an option, though I've used
them), tape, mounts, a viewer.

In short, my friend saw my pictures, saw my camera, was interested. But
I think if my friend had to overcome all those hurdles before he saw his
first picture, his interest would rapidly fade.

So I'm giving him a Loreo for Christmas. And he'll buy the film
anywhere, and he'll develope it with all his other rolls of film, and
it'll be just as soft as his little instamatic that he uses now. If he
get's bit by stereo and has to do more, good. He'll know what direction
to go to.

I really think that some of us don't realize how complicated what we're
doing really is. We all pretty much have an interest, or probably a
passion that carried us past the initial difficulties. I can't guarantee
that for every beginner.

.r.