The New Stereo Realist Reference

By George Themelis (a.k.a. DrT)

$35 plus shipping ($3 in the USA, $12 Everywhere Else)

Over 230 pictures in 125 pages, covering:

How to Use the Realist

Different Realist Models

Realist Accessories and Techniques

How to Repair the Realist

Unique Realist Modifications

Plus...

Basic Photographic Concepts

Requirements for Stereo Photography

Mounting, Viewing, Projection

Practical Guidelines & Advanced Stereo Techniques

I have received many letters and emails congratulating me for this book. Here are some recent email comments:

I just received the Realist book, and it is more than I hoped for. I doubt anyone could have a question about the Realist that's not answered in your book! Now, with the help of your book, I will not be afraid to disassemble my Realist and fix a few nagging problems. Thanks for a great product. Jim McManus, 2/03 (just received!)
Your book is a great asset. I wish I'd had one years ago. I was able to get both of my Realists working with flash (and gave them a good cleaning as well). Thank you very much.
I must complement you on the book. When it came I read it from cover like a good novel that I could not put down. It was full of excellent & useful information and illustrations. Seldom is a technical reference book so well written and informative.
I'm very much enjoying your Stereo Realist Book - The amount of detail is amazing and I have already learned a lot. I had no idea that is was possible to focus a Realist closer than 2.5 feet. I'm sure the book will be very useful in keeping my Realists working - I currently have two 3.5 Realists, and a 2.8, as well as a Belplasca.
Received your Realist book and the 2 frosted halogen bulbs yesterday. I wanted to congratulate you on a fine job. In my humble opinion, your best book yet. As you probably know, I too have been guilty of searching for the ever-sharper optics and better features. I just bought a 2.8 German on e-Bay at a fair price, but from what you mention in the book, these may be the same lenses as the "standard" David Whites. Also just acquired a 3.5 with Ilex lenses, and am anxious to get out and actually use them!
I have been reading your excellent book on the Stereo Realist. It is very informative and the style is understandable and makes reading it a pleasure. The history and repair section are great.
I have been reading carefully your book. It's excellent. ! And I don't say it just for being polite; I really mean it ! Endless information about the Realist. Deep and clearly presented. Thanks to it, now I have found some interesting items about my Camera. I am skilled with tools and usually I'm not afraid to open devices and I haven't tried before to open my camera. Now with your schematics and info I opened it and made upon it a deep cleaning and "fine tuning" with confidence.

The amount of illustrations and details will impress you. Shown below are a few examples...

Loading film...

Using the Realist

Modifying the hot shoe for electronic flash

Investigating light leaks

How the rangefinder works

The Table of Contents shows the variety of subjects discussed:

1. BASIC PHOTOGRAPHIC CONCEPTS
1.1. Art vs. Mechanics
1.2. Photography as Art
1.3. Manual vs. Automatic Operation
1.4. The Exposure Challenge
1.5. "Sunny 16"
1.6. Light Meters
1.7. Exposure Bracketing
1.8. Identical Exposures
1.9. Shutter Speed
1.10. Camera Shake: Watch out!
1.11. Minimum Hand-holding Speed
1.12. Aperture
1.13. Depth of Field (DOF)
1.14. Best Aperture?
1.15. Focus
1.16. Hyperfocal Distance

2. REQUIREMENTS FOR STEREO PHOTOGRAPHY
2.1. Technical Requirements
2.2. Sharpness
2.3. Best Film For Stereo
2.4. Slides vs. Prints
2.5. What Brand of Film?
2.6. Depth Range
2.7. Depth Range in Close-Ups

3. PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER
3.1. Your First Stereo Roll
3.2. Normal Stereo Photography
3.3. Low Available Light
3.4. Flash Stereo Photography
3.5. Close-up Stereo Photography

4. STEREO AND THE REALIST
4.1. A Short History
4.2. Stereo Then, Now and Tomorrow
4.3. Different Realist Models
4.4. Evolution of the Realist Camera Body
4.5. More About Lenses
4.6. Buying a Stereo Realist
4.7. Overcoming the "Sharpness Anxiety"
4.8. What Others Say About the Realist

5. USING THE REALIST
5.1. Camera Features
5.2. Loading and Unloading Film
5.3. Picture-Taking Routine

6. MOUNTING - VIEWING - PROJECTING
6.1. Stereo Formats
6.2. Realist Film/Camera Format
6.3. Realist Mounting/Viewing Format
6.4. Other 35 mm Stereo Formats
6.5. Five Sprockets vs. Seven Sprockets
6.6. Do It All Over Again?

6.7. Stereo Mounting
6.8. Mounting Realist Slides
6.9. Stereo Slide Viewers
6.10 Stereo Projectors
6.11. Projection vs. Viewers
6.12. Working With Prints

7. ACCESSORIES AND ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
7.1. Factory Parts and Accessories
7.2. Camera Cases and Bags
7.3. Realist Filters & Shades
7.4. Other Filter Ideas
7.5. Wide-Angle & Telephoto Attachments
7.6. Ultra Close-Ups with the Realist
7.7. Cable Release & Self-Timer
7.8. Multiple Exposures
7.9. Trick Stereo Photography
7.10. Tripods and Other Supports
7.11. Realist Flash Guns
7.12. Using Electronic Flash
7.13. Film Identifier
7.14. On the Level
7.15. Film Rewind Crank
7.16. Books and Literature
7.17. Other Accessories

8. REALIST MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
8.1. Basic Principle of Realist Repair
8.2. Remove & Clean Lens Plate
8.3. Inspect and Clean Shutter
8.4. Clean Leather, Rangefinder & Viewfinder
8.5. Lubricate Film Advance
8.6. Under the Top Cover
8.7. Troubleshoot Flash System
8.8. Align Rangefinder
8.9. Test & Adjust Focus
8.10. Install/Adjust Lens Cover
8.11. Long & Short Term Storage
8.12. Off to the Repairman

9. UNIQUE REALIST MODIFICATIONS
9.1. Curing the Infamous Light Leak
9.2. Modifying the Viewfinder
9.3. Modernizing the Flash Contact
9.4. 7P Modification

10. LIFE AFTER THE REALIST
10.1. Stereo Camera Limitations
10.2. Stereo Base
10.3. Ortho Stereo
10.4. Hyperstereo
10.5. The 1/30 Rule
10.6. Hypostereo
10.7. Pitfalls of Single/Twin Camera Work
10.8. Focal Length, Stretch, Squash
10.9. Stretch in Stereo Projection
10.10. Cardboard Cutout Effect
10.11. The PePax Principle
10.12. Computer Stereo

Also, please check my stereo store or my ebay auctions for price and payment information

Updated: November 2007