[photo-3d] Any suggestions for me?

["Michael Galazin" <rexlion22@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott wrote:
"I am really considering the Realist. Can
I make both slide and print pics with this camera?  I love slides but would
like to have the option of making side by side cards as well.  Would I need
a
slide scanner or can I have the lab make them?  Another concern of mine is
finding a lab locally that can  do this type of
thing.  With the Argus I just go to my local Ritz and get prints, however,
I've read that there is a special process for the Realist."
- - - -

Well, not so much a special process as the fact that nearly every photo shop
is automated now, and the print making machines all use a specific size
(about 35mm wide) mask.  The machine will cut every other print in half,
more or less.  To do otherwise means a manual override which (a) is a time
consuming--and therefore expensive--process, and which (b) most machine
jockeys don't know how to do anyway.  You would have to develop a special
relationship with some shop to get Realist prints done, and pay perhaps a
couple dollars per print probably.  For that much, you're better off sending
the roll off to Dan's Camera City (contact thomgillam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx) for
processing, because for $2 per stereo pair plus about $3 developing you get
print pairs ready for mounting in stereo cards.

Alternatives to this would be to shoot slide film, then either use a slide
duplicator with your SLR to shoot dupes on negative film (I do this), and
process normally.  Or shoot slide film, mount the slides temporarily in
standard slide mounts, and take them to a lab with a Fuji 370 for scanning
and printing.  Or buy a good scanner and print them at home.

For your primary objective of making stereo slides, you have many choices of
'50s cameras.  Pick one that suits you.  The Stereo Realist has a handy lens
cap built on and it's the most durable and easiest to fix, but it will take
time (and some frustration, perhaps) to learn to cock the shutter
separately; also it's not very ergonomic as you must learn to hold it
differently than any other camera (hold by top and bottom, not fingers on
the front).  The Realist 45 and Wirgin/Edixa have a thumb lever for winding
the film, others don't.  Some have rangefinders, others don't.  Some have
levels, others don't.  Some look nicer than others (subjectively).  A few
have no focus control or minimal shutter speed or aperture settings; I'd
suggest staying away from these for now.  You can always do like I did and
buy several different kinds. :)   I have two Realists, a Realist 45, a
Wirgin, two Edixas, and a Revere (my current favorite).  That way you find
out what you like and what you don't like, personally.

Of course, since you want to work up to macro, maybe you want to go all the
way and buy an RBT. :)  (I know I would if I had about $4,000 lying around.)
Certain models of that camera give you the ability to add a macro
attachment, I believe.  And full frame results mean no muss, no fuss at the
photo lab.

Best regards,

Mike Galazin


 

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