[photo-3d] Re: Digital vs Film

["John Goodman" <jgood@xxxxxxxx>]

Marshall Rubin wrote:

> aren't they [RBT stereo cameras] fun to lug around? 

I've only used RBT S1 cameras, but the answer is a resounding 
"Yes!" They don't feel any heavier than a solidly built Realist 
format 5p camera, at about 800 grams. So when there's one 
hanging from my neck I feel as if it's carrying me, not the other 
way around. Also, the more cameras I carry, the stronger my 
neck and shoulders become, so individually, cameras tend to 
feel lighter as time goes on.  :>)

>  and see how long, and how much it takes to get one fixed. 

RBT recently brought a Black Hexar-based 1997 model S1 up 
to present spec for me. (I live in Japan.) The camera was ready 
in six weeks, but then I asked if one more thing could be done, 
which took another month. Ten weeks may seem long, but 
there is a queue, and the RBT team is quite busy, due to 
tremendous demand.

The cost was perfectly reasonable, imho, about $350. This was 
for replacing a capacitor that was discharging the battery (the 
main reason why I sent the camera to RBT, something that was 
Konica's problem in the first place, and RBT repaired this free of 
charge), adding an AE/focus lock button, an exposure sensor 
guard, and installing the remote cable plug in the current 
location, towards the center of the top plate (this involved 
replacing the bottom plate, crafted in resin, so the part alone 
was ~$75).

The work performed by RBT added features to an already 
extremely capable camera, so the result is a dream stereo 
camera that is lots of fun to use. RBT shot a roll with the 
camera to verify its performance, and the above cost includes 
return shipping. For RBT cameras in the US, Jon Golden no 
doubt provides a quicker turnaround service for repairs, at 
equally reasonable prices.  

> i had many great shoots with my rbt 

I'll bet you did !  DrT wonders if the RBT S1 is the best stereo 
camera ever made, and he certainly knows what's what with 
stereo. Regardless of the criteria, RBT S1 cameras are toward 
the top in my list of all-time favorites, based on the results. The 
S1 does depend on electronics, rather than being entirely 
mechanical, so there is a certain amount of trust one must 
surrender to electrons and the machine. But all-digital cameras 
are even more demanding in this regard.

For anyone wondering about the range of features you can tap 
with an RBT S1 stereo camera, have a look at

http://www.3-dviews.com/stereoxtra-1/RBTS1.html

If you are an owner, you probably already know what pleasures 
RBT cameras enable.

jeg

 

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