[photo-3d] Realist green-button viewer - part 3

["John Goodman" <jgood@xxxxxxxx>]

I have to gently disagree with DrT, concerning the green-
button's design and the two "cartridges" that allow switching 
between AC and DC modes (without removing batteries). He 
writes (p.18 in the first edition of his manual):

<<"The process of loosening the bottom screw to replace 
cartridges is not much simpler or much more convenient than 
removing the top cover, which gives access to both batteries 
and AC/DC cartridges.">>

I think it is dangerous *not* to loosen the bottom thumbscrew 
and remove the cartridge in the viewer before removing the top 
cover. If the cartridge is not removed, it may fall out as the two 
halves of the viewer body come apart. At the very least, when 
the halves are parted, one will have three separate parts to 
contend with, rather than two.

<<"The bottom screw is an extra source of problems. It can 
wear out or it can scratch the units, resulting in a loose fit.">>

In my green-button, the thumb screw is aluminum and it rides 
in a threaded brass insert, so I don't see how it could possibly 
wear out. It doesn't need to be removed, only backed off a turn 
or two. I can understand how the dimple in the AC or DC 
cartridges, where the thumbscrew point fits to secure them in 
position, could be damaged through carelessness or 
mishandling. But with reasonable care, I would think this 
mechanism, primitive as it is, would last indefinitely.


One thing I'm not happy with concerns the difference between 
AC and DC illumination. A DC halogen bulb gives a nice, bright 
light that appears white, but the orignal 80V 6W AC bulb 
appears less bright and the light is much yellower, even with 
the rheostat at its maximum. This is with the AC unit plugged 
in to a step-up transformer's 120V outlet (Japan has 100 volt 
mains). Perhaps a 75V bulb replacement will help.

To sum up, I think the green-button is just about the 
handsomest and most inviting of the 50s plastic viewers, with 
its ribbed accents and pleasingly textured panels. The 
fortuitously locking on switch is another in a long list of 
features that make it so pleasing to use, for 5p slides. Now, if 
only it had a tripod socket...  :>)

John Goodman

 

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