S3D Re: FED 3D

[Bill Costa -- Network Info Srvs <bill.costa@xxxxxxx>]

> I'm thinking about getting one of those Fed 35mm stereo cameras.  The
> only source I can find is in the Czech Republic and my immediate travel
> plans will not be taking me there or to the Ukraine, more's the pity.
> Does anyone know of a nearer source, or have one to sell?

     I purchased mine last year directly from Kalimex in the Czech
     Republic by doing a wire transfer of the money to their account.

http://www.dedal.cz/optics/stereo_cameras/stereo_cameras_main.htm

     Unfortunately it took over a month to get the camera because of
     problems claimed by Kalimex about not receiving the money.  I had
     no problem staying in touch with the company via e-mail, and they
     were very nice about it, it was just that they said that the
     money had not appeared in their account yet.  What ended up
     having to do was request my bank to do a trace of the transfer.
     (There was no charge for this service.)  Within a week, Kalimex
     contacted me via e-mail telling me that the Bank at their end
     `found' the money and that my camera would be shipped right away.
     The camera arrived in good condition a week later.  Needless to
     say, until I received the camera, I was concerned that I might
     have been ripped off.  After all, what recourse would I have
     if no camera was sent?  So keep in mind that while my story
     has a happy ending, "your mileage may vary"(tm).

     What I purchased was the FED BOY.  I have been overall very
     pleased with the camera -- my only real complaint is that in
     automatic mode, you don't really know what the camera is doing in
     terms of shutter speed and aperture.  And manual mode is not
     practical except for flash photography.

     If you are thinking of buying a FED, be sure to look at:

http://www.pauck.de/marco/photo/stereo/fed_stereo/fed_stereo.html

     before you do.  I have not had any of the problems described on
     this web page (light leaks etc.) except for the transport problem
     where the entire roll of film was not used.  But this has
     happened only twice so far.  Overall I have been quite happy with
     this camera.


     Later....BC

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| Bill Costa                                          |
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