Other collecting activities?

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sun Apr 18 12:59:46 2004

>
> >Is there anything particuarly odd about the bulbs? Projector bulbs in
> >general are not that hard to find.
>
> I'm just concerned about their continued availability.

Unless it's something seriously obscure, I'd not worry too much about it.
Anyway, is it impossible to modify the projector to use some other bulb?

>
> > > Of course if you can afford it you can get custom made camera's made
> > > out of twin modern 35mm camera's. They take the two camera bodies
> >
> >Why on earth would you want to use modern cameras???
>
> Quality lenses and better shutter speeds! I'm normally limited to a

Err... I am not tlaking about the horrible point-n-shoot things made in
the late 70's/early 80's. I am talking about quality old cameras. Many of
them had a good range of shutter speeds, and the shutter will still give
repeatable timing (much more important than accurate times for most work)
if it's cleaned and lubricated _properly_ (note that flooding a shutter
with lubricant will do a lot more harm than good, I am talking about
putting 1 drop of watch oil on the arbors of the escapemnet mechanism,
and so on). And some older cameras haev pretty decent lenses.

Put it this way : I am sure a good 1950's or 1960's camera will give
better resolution than a consumer-grade digitial thing!

> max of 100 speed film, though I did shoot 1600 speed once in a cave
> in Majorca. I think the max shutter speed is something like 1/200th
> of a second.

Hmmm.. Most old focal plane shutters will do 1/1000 s. Some will do
1/2000. Leaf shutters are generally limited to 1/500 (and cheaper ones to
1/250 or 1/300), although the Prestor shutter in the Werra does 1/750
(that's one interesting shutter...)

But if the only reason you need faster shutter speeds is to be able to
use fast film in daylight without stopping the lens down too much (if,
indeed it will stop down far enough) then consider using neutral density
filters.

>
> There is a really impressive difference between projected Viewmaster,
> Realist and standard 35mm 3D images!

I am going to have to try this.

>
> >There have been several adapters made to take 2 normal camera boddies.
> >CZJ made one that takes 2 Werra cameras (that's one Werra accessory I've
> >not found yet).
>
> Is this one of the rigs for holding two standard cameras at the same
> time? I think I've seen something like this that puts them base to

Yes, and indeed it does hold them base-to-base.

> base. I don't think I've ever heard anything about how well they
> work though. I'd be concerned about shutter timings unless shooting
> still subjects.

I've never seen it, so I can't comment on how well it works (I do have at
least 2 Werras...)

>
> > And of course there were those sliding devices where you
> >take 2 pictures with a single camera, moving it between exposures. Only
> >works for static subjects.
>
> I've actually been looking for a slide bar to try on some experiments
> with a digital camera. They seem to be something of a rare item

It shouldn't be that hard to make one. What about the focussing slide
from the bottom of a set of close-up bellows, suitably modified (I can't
be the only person who digs in the junk box at camera shops looking for
items to mofify...)

> >The Russians made a thing called a Sputnik. A _triple_ lens reflex
> >camera. 2 taking lenses coupled to a viewing lens. Took 6 sterao pairs on
> >a 120 roll film. I've never seen one at a sensible price, though.
>
> I've heard of it, but not seen one.

I have a book which gives strip-down and repair instructions for it
(along with many other Russian cameras), and I've seen _one_ on sale at a
rather high price.

-tony
Received on Sun Apr 18 2004 - 12:59:46 BST