For years I have been looking for the best stereo slide mounts for stereoscopic (3D) photography beginners. Now, I have found them.
Here they are:
4p for Nimslo or cropping Realist etc |
5p for Realist - most popular |
7p for European format or full frame |
Slip-in mounts are not a new
concept.
This execution, however, is the best I have seen!
These new mounts have important advantages over previously available slip-in mounts:
- Ability to adjust the stereo window
- Higher quality card stock for fewer distracting "fuzzies"
- Reduced bulkiness for easier handling and reduced storage space
- Normal aperture width (more forgiving of film cutting variances)
- Lower cost
In addition, these horizontal slip-in mounts offer a unique and powerful advantage: the image area of the film chips never passes between layers of cardboard. Result: the mount cannot scratch your slides the way previous slip-in mounts could! Only the sprocket hole area of the film actually passes between the two halves of the mount.
This is the easiest and fastest way to mount your own stereo slides!
Follow these simple steps
(shown for 5p - Realist
format mounts - same procedure for 4p or 7p):
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Just between you and me, because they are so fast and easy to use, many experienced stereo photographers also use and love these mounts!
Detailed step-by-step instructions:
Take your film to be developed at any place that develops slide film--but make sure to write "Do Not Cut/Mount!"
If possible, have the photo lab return your film without rolling it. If they do roll the processed film, simply reverse-roll it for 24 hours to remove film curl, which makes mounting difficult. (Some people prefer to hang the film with weights at the bottom).
Cut the individual film chips, placing them on a white piece of paper and stacking them in pairs as you cut.
Orient the film chips with the emulsion (dull) side facing you (the opposite of the way you would view the image). Because you will be working from the back of the mount, the left chip will go into the mount opening that is currently to the right. First insert the bottom corner, then bend the film chip very lightly and insert the top corner. With both corners inserted, gently push the film chips until it is well-seated in the mount. Note: In some mounts the openings are a bit tight and the film chips do not slide easily inside. Some people find it easier to open the channels a bit first and then insert the film chips.
After inserting both the left and right film chips, you can adjust the position of each within the channels of the mount to create a pleasing stereo window effect. (If you don't yet understand the stereo window, there are some good explanations available on the Web. But don't worry; you can just do a quick mounting to start, and go back later to adjust the stereo window if needed.)
DONE!!! (Simple, isn't it?)
The final product looks like this:
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The front side is clearly marked and carries the "dot" in the lower left corner, per standard stereo mounting convention. The title of the slide and other details can be written directly on this side with pen, or an adhesive label can be attached on this side. The back side has space for the name and address of the photographer.
One last comment: It is extremely easy to remove the film chips and reuse the mount. Just apply pressure from the front side with one finger and the film chip will pop out. This is definitely the easiest mount to reuse!
Also, please check my stereo store or my ebay auctions for price and payment information
Updated: November 2007