Hi All,

I thought I'd give a quick report as to where the medium format folios
are at right now, and their member status.

Alpha folio (North American Only) is on its way from Alaska to Quebec.
I am pleased to have just added John Hart to this folio!

Beta Folio (North America) is one its way from Arizona to New Jersey.
I believe there may be one opening in this one. Email be if interested.

The International Folio has just arrived in Scotland and will be
heading to England soon. Sorry, no openings!

I do not have information on Brian's folio. Brian?


Sam

Sam Smith wrote:

>
> I do not have information on Brian's folio. Brian?

The MF3D Folio II started Loop 11 recently. The folio is currently in
Texas and will heading up to Washington state soon.

Bob Venezia (who is up near Don, and was at the NYC Third Friday
Stereo Dinner a few months ago) has joined the folio.

There were some communication problems during the last loop, so I'm
sending messages directly to folio members rather than dealing with
who is on what mailing list.

We're currently at 12 members in this folio. I'd like to keep it at
this size for a bit to make sure things have smoothed out before
adding new members.

--
Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
reynolds@panix.com | the important thing is to understand
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer

Sam Smith wrote:

> Alpha folio (North American Only) is on its way from Alaska to Quebec.
> I am pleased to have just added John Hart to this folio!

As the folio member who has just shipped the box to Quebec,
I can say this:

It was, again, a pleasure to spend some time with those
images. I was also able to share them with a few members of
the local group of photographers.

Thank you, Sam, for keeping us going :)

--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

Sam Smith wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I thought I'd give a quick report as to where the medium format folios
> are at right now, and their member status.

Are we too far away to be forecasting the location of the
folios in July and determining if they will be able to be
present in Boise?

It sure would be neat to have a grand "meeting of the folios" :)

--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, John Thurston wrote:

>
> Are we too far away to be forecasting the location of the
> folios in July and determining if they will be able to be
> present in Boise?
>
> It sure would be neat to have a grand "meeting of the folios"

I think the last three conventions had at least two or three. The
problem is that too many keep the folios too long, making it hard to
plan. Alpha and Beta have a good chance at this point, but I doubt the
International one will.

Sam

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "Sam Smith" wrote:

>Alpha and Beta have a good chance (to appear at NSA/ISU) at this
>point, but I doubt the International one will.

It would be great to see as many as possible. This is a sort of
unique combined convention. Can't the shepherds recall these things
for the event then send them back out?

John

John Hart wrote:

> --- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "Sam Smith" wrote:
> >Alpha and Beta have a good chance (to appear at NSA/ISU) at this
> >point, but I doubt the International one will.
>
> It would be great to see as many as possible. This is a sort of
> unique combined convention. Can't the shepherds recall these things
> for the event then send them back out?

When I have found a volunteer (usually a folio member) to bring it,
the MF3D Folio II has gone to the NSA convention. It will be a while
before I can narrow down who will likely have the folio at convention
time.

Quite frankly, based on reports from people who have brought the folio
to the convention in the past, not many people seem interested in
seeing a MF folio.

--
Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
reynolds@panix.com | the important thing is to understand
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer

Brian Reynolds wrote:

> Quite frankly, based on reports from people who have brought the folio
> to the convention in the past, not many people seem interested in
> seeing a MF folio.

I have only attended one NSA convention (and never
an ISU congress) and that was Portland in 2004. I
recall a very nice evening spent passing viewers
around working our way through two of Sam's folios.
As I recall, we were finally thrown out of the banquet
hall by the cleaning staff :)

That may be the exception rather than the norm, but
I am certainly looking forward to some quality
viewing time in Boise :)

--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

Well, I'm sure glad someone (John Thurston?) brought a folio to NSA in Portland. That was the first time I had seen one, and I was completely blown away.

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, Brian Reynolds wrote:

>
> Quite frankly, based on reports from people who have brought the folio
> to the convention in the past, not many people seem interested in
> seeing a MF folio.
>

Huh? What?? What reports? In every convention I have been to in the
last few years the buzz WAS the MF3D folios. The MF3D group rooms were
packed, as were the workshops. I think someone's jesting you Brian.
Every consider attending one yourself?!?

Sam

Sam Smith said:
Brian Reynolds wrote:

>> Quite frankly, based on reports from people who have brought the
>> folio to the convention in the past, not many people seem
>> interested in seeing a MF folio.
>>

Sam wrote:

> Huh? What?? What reports? In every convention I have been to in
> the last few years the buzz WAS the MF3D folios. The MF3D group
> rooms were packed, as were the workshops. I think someone's
> jesting you Brian. Every consider attending one yourself?!?

I agree with Sam. At the last couple of conventions the MF viewing
has been a highlight event. With the availablity of the new Chinese
camera, I think the interest in MF stereo is likely to continue to
grow. -Linda

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, Brian Reynolds wrote:

>
> It will be a while before I can narrow down who will likely have the

folio at convention time.

Could you not just ping everyone in the folio requesting that whoever
has it send it to NSA somehow?

We all have our own favorite moments at these conventions. For me it's
seeing new and different things (either artistically or technically),
and for me MF is new! Whatever can be there will be neat.

Thanks

John

John Hart wrote:

> Could you not just ping everyone in the folio
> requesting that whoever has it send it to NSA
> somehow?

This can be complicated depending on who has
the folio at the time. I think Sam has the
right idea of waiting closer to time see how
best to achieve the goal.
________________________________________
John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

In addition to any folios that might make the Convention for casual and
intimate viewing there will also be an exhibit in the Stereo Art Gallery.
The details are still being worked out, but if you are interested or
would like to help please let Sam or I know.

Thanks,

David W. Kesner
Chair, 2007 NSA/ISU Convention/Congress
chair@dddphotography.com
http://2007.nsa3d.org

Sam Smith wrote:

> --- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, Brian Reynolds wrote:
> >
> > Quite frankly, based on reports from people who have brought the
> > folio to the convention in the past, not many people seem
> > interested in seeing a MF folio.
>
> Huh? What?? What reports? In every convention I have been to in the
> last few years the buzz WAS the MF3D folios. The MF3D group rooms
> were packed, as were the workshops. I think someone's jesting you
> Brian.

The reports I get back from the people who bring the MF3D Folio II to
the convention. Specifically, last year I was told that not many
people (one or two) were interested in viewing this folio.

Perhaps better coordination is needed so that all the MF3D at the
convention is on view together, rather than spread out. If someone is
coordinating a MF3D event at the convention, and wants to accept
responsibility for the folio during the convention, I'd be happy to
have the folio sent to that person.

To make myself clearer, I want the folio to go to the convention (and
club meetings, etc.), and to have as many people as possible to see
it. I'm just a little disappointed in the feedback I've been getting
back about it.

> Every consider attending one yourself?!?

If they ever have one in NYC I'll be there. The closest was Buffalo,
and I had hoped to go, but my eldest daughter (who loves MF3D) was
born just before the convention, so I missed that one. Traveling by
air with two small children and all the stuff that entails is not a
vacation.

--
Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
reynolds@panix.com | the important thing is to understand
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer

Have a look at the photo I just put in the PHOTOS section at:

http://tech.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/MF3D-group/photos/view/a91f?b=1

Unless I am on drugs, it shows a group of several people around MF3D
folio II and David Lee's Camera at the NSA 2006 convention.

If that's not proof enough, the guy in the yellow shirt is a film
director who was shooting the event for an upcoming documentary.

Does this help dispell the rumor that there was little interest in
your folio???

Sam

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, Brian Reynolds wrote:
>
> Sam Smith wrote:
> > --- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, Brian Reynolds wrote:
> > >
> > > Quite frankly, based on reports from people who have brought the
> > > folio to the convention in the past, not many people seem
> > > interested in seeing a MF folio.
> >
> > Huh? What?? What reports? In every convention I have been to in the
> > last few years the buzz WAS the MF3D folios. The MF3D group rooms
> > were packed, as were the workshops. I think someone's jesting you
> > Brian.
>
> The reports I get back from the people who bring the MF3D Folio II to
> the convention. Specifically, last year I was told that not many
> people (one or two) were interested in viewing this folio.
>
> Perhaps better coordination is needed so that all the MF3D at the
> convention is on view together, rather than spread out. If someone is
> coordinating a MF3D event at the convention, and wants to accept
> responsibility for the folio during the convention, I'd be happy to
> have the folio sent to that person.
>
> To make myself clearer, I want the folio to go to the convention (and
> club meetings, etc.), and to have as many people as possible to see
> it. I'm just a little disappointed in the feedback I've been getting
> back about it.
>
> > Every consider attending one yourself?!?
>
> If they ever have one in NYC I'll be there. The closest was Buffalo,
> and I had hoped to go, but my eldest daughter (who loves MF3D) was
> born just before the convention, so I missed that one. Traveling by
> air with two small children and all the stuff that entails is not a
> vacation.
>
> --
> Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
> reynolds@... | the important thing is to understand
> http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
> NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer
>

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "John Hart" wrote:

> Could you not just ping everyone in the folio requesting that whoever
> has it send it to NSA somehow?

The safety of the folios is far more important than having a few extra
people see it. Conventions are hectic, and just showing them to a
group of people at a workshop is a challenge, let alone the
responsibility of the person in charge of it. There's a lot of people
grabbing and mixing up the slides. All folios in one place can be a
nightmare to manage!

It takes several volunteers to pull it off. My sincere thanks to all
who have volunteered in the past for this, and to any that help out
this year.

Sam

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "Sam Smith" wrote:

> The safety of the folios is far more important than having a few extra
> people see it. Conventions are hectic, and just showing them to a
> group of people at a workshop is a challenge, let alone the
> responsibility of the person in charge of it. There's a lot of people
> grabbing and mixing up the slides. All folios in one place can be a
> nightmare to manage!

Yeah, I can believe that. Maybe Dahlia or George could loan a few of
the big carousel viewers :-). Be a good promo for them too. We are
having a "Large Format Art Gallery" at NSA, with a reception , etc. I
would think a few rotary MF viewers might work well there.

John

Sam Smith wrote:

> "John Hart" wrote:
>
>> Could you not just ping everyone in the folio
>> requesting that whoever has it send it to NSA somehow?
>
> The safety of the folios is far more important than
> having a few extra people see it. Conventions are
> hectic, and just showing them to a group of people
> at a workshop is a challenge, let alone the
> responsibility of the person in charge of it.

In '04, we were at a mid sized, round banquet table.
I had the folio box in front of me and didn't let
anyone else at it. I'd load a viewer, read the notes
on the accompanying card, and send the viewer anti-
clockwise around the table. It would be passed from
one hand to the next until it came back to me. I'd
load another image and repeat the process.

Here's what I said in July of '04:
As the evening wore on, the circle grew larger
and two more viewers were added to the rotation.
Soon the circle grew a couple of lobes and we
probably had 20 people circulating viewers
and discussing the slides. We shut down three
hours later when the hotel staff threw us out of
the room :)

Twenty in the circle was too many. Not everyone
could hear comments about the slide in circulation
and there was a lot of pressure to limit viewing
time to keep things moving.

When I've shared a folio with the local photographic
group, I've found 8 in the circle to be about ideal.
By the time it grows to 12 it gets difficult to include
everyone in the conversation. I find a lot of the
discussion as the slides are being viewed centers
on the technique and equipment rather than the images.
In a group of stereographers, the circle can probably
have a larger number because the conversation won't
have to include as much generic background and concept
discussion.

The responsibility of the "Keeper of the Folio" is
indeed large. When we were done viewing the slides
that night in Portland, I was sent into a panic when
I came up one image short in the folio bider. I
had been entrusted with the freak'n folio (having
been a member for 1/2 of a circuit) and I'd just
topped off a fantastic evening with the loss of a
slide :(

I was trying to figure out just how I was going to
explain this to the photographer when I noticed the
missing slide was still in my viewer :)

________________________________________
John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us

John Thurston wrote:

> In '04, we were at a mid sized, round banquet table.
> I had the folio box in front of me and didn't let
> anyone else at it. I'd load a viewer, read the notes
> on the accompanying card, and send the viewer anti-
> clockwise around the table. It would be passed from
> one hand to the next until it came back to me. I'd
> load another image and repeat the process.

That's pretty much how the NYC Third Friday Stereo Dinners work,
except that we often have two or three viewers going around as
multiple people show their work simultaneously.

We meet in a restaurant, and have anywhere beteen 4 and two dozen
people at a set of tables all pushed together. The biggest problem is
breaking up traffic jams (all the viewers stopped at one person) as
people get into conversations about what they're seeing.

--
Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
reynolds@panix.com | the important thing is to understand
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "John Hart" wrote:

> We are
> having a "Large Format Art Gallery" at NSA, with a reception , etc. I
> would think a few rotary MF viewers might work well there.

By large format, are you referring to stereo with large format
cameras? How are these being viewed? I have taken a few 5x7 stereo
images, however they were split to a pair on a single sheet. Does that
still qualify as large format?

Sam

I looked at the NSA website. This is a large PRINT exhibit, not large
"format" exhibit. The page mentions:

"This exhibition will provide a venue for displaying large format
stereo images. Examples of such works include anaglyph prints,
phantograms, lenticular stereos, stereojet prints, stereoscopic
drawing and paintings, View-Magic format print-pairs, MirScope
(mirror-view) print-pairs, backlit films, and computer displays,
Side-by-side prints formatted for the Hyperview system, beam splitter
viewed prints or computer displays, or any other type of display that
features original images considerably larger than printed stereocards
and 35mm and medium-format transparencies."

I think this is a little deceiving, isn't it? Format has always
referred to how the picture was taken. From Wilkepedia:

"Large format describes large photographic films, large cameras, view
cameras (including pinhole cameras) and processes that use a film or
digital sensor, generally 4 x 5 inches or larger. The most common
large formats are 4×5 and 8×10 inches. Less common formats include
quarter-plate, 5×7 inches, 11×14 inches, 16x20 inches, 20x24 inches,
various panoramic or "banquet" formats (such as 4x10 and 8x20 inches),
as well as some metric formats, such as 9x12 cm."

We are all aware how the word "3D" has been misused by computer geeks,
shouldn't we lead by example?

The exhibit also excludes MF3D, as listed. That's Medium FORMAT stereo.

Sam

> --- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "John Hart" wrote:
>
> > We are
> > having a "Large Format Art Gallery" at NSA, with a reception ,

etc. I

> > would think a few rotary MF viewers might work well there.
>
> By large format, are you referring to stereo with large format
> cameras? How are these being viewed? I have taken a few 5x7 stereo
> images, however they were split to a pair on a single sheet. Does that
> still qualify as large format?
>
> Sam
>

Sam Smith writes:

> By large format, are you referring to stereo with large format
> cameras? How are these being viewed? I have taken a few 5x7 stereo
> images, however they were split to a pair on a single sheet. Does that
> still qualify as large format?

I can't believe you haven't visited the site for the 2007 NSA/ISU
Convention/Congress yet! Do you know how much time and effort I have put
into this? *{;-)

If you go here:

http://2007.nsa3d.org/exhibits

You can read all about the Large Format Stereo Exhibit that John Hart is
chairing for me. This was all his idea and he is the one who has been
doing all the work for it, I am just whole-heartedly supporting it.

Thanks,

David W. Kesner
Chair, 2007 NSA/ISU Convention/Congress
chair@dddphotography.com
http://2007.nsa3d.org

Sam Smith wrote:

> I looked at the NSA website. This is a large PRINT exhibit, not large
> "format" exhibit.

In the printer world large format refers to what might otherwise be
called a wide carriage printer. This confusion occasionally leads to
someone looking for printer advice in the
rec.photo.equipment.large-format USENET newsgroup.

Sam Smith also wrote:

> > By large format, are you referring to stereo with large format
> > cameras? How are these being viewed? I have taken a few 5x7 stereo
> > images, however they were split to a pair on a single sheet. Does that
> > still qualify as large format?

How did you take these images?

--
Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
reynolds@panix.com | the important thing is to understand
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer

Brian Reynolds wrote:

>

>
> Sam Smith also wrote:
> > > By large format, are you referring to stereo with large format
> > > cameras? How are these being viewed? I have taken a few 5x7 stereo
> > > images, however they were split to a pair on a single sheet. Does that
> > > still qualify as large format?
>
> How did you take these images?
>



>
>

Yes, do tell! My email about David Lee's hand-made box
camera was really about something mroe than this --- I have
an interest in making a 5x7 film camera that can take two
3x3" images for contact printing stereo cards.

Now, that may be silly, but it is a thing I have thought
about for some time now. Please tell us, Sam, what
you did and what the results were!

Joel.

Joel Alpers wrote:

> Brian Reynolds wrote:
>
> >
> >
>
> Yes, do tell! My email about David Lee's hand-made box
> camera was really about something mroe than this ---
>

Sorry...

That should have read, "more like this"...

Joel...

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, "Sam Smith" wrote:

>
> I looked at the NSA website. This is a large PRINT exhibit, not

large "format" exhibit.... I think this is a little deceiving, isn't
it?

I don't want to get into another quibble-war over this. Things evolve
since the writeups for the forms were submitted many months ago. It
is listed as a Stereo Art Gallery on the program schedule. I am OK
with having an MF viewer component if people want to make the effort.

John

John Hart writes:

> I don't want to get into another quibble-war over this. Things evolve
> since the writeups for the forms were submitted many months ago. It is
> listed as a Stereo Art Gallery on the program schedule. I am OK with
> having an MF viewer component if people want to make the effort

As far as the Convention goes I have set up a Stereo Art Gallery in one
room that will house/showcase several different events:

1) Large Format Print Exhibit - run by John Hart. This is for showing
only. Artists can sell their works if they would like.

2) SSA Card Exhibition - run by David and Linda Thompson - this is a
judged event with awards.

3) NSA Vintage and Modern Card Exhibition, and Other Format Exhibition -
currently looking for someone to take over from Bill Moll who resigned (I
do have one offer and it looks like they will take it) - this is a judged
event with awards.

4) PSA Approved NSA Exhibition - run by Bob Leonard - this is a judged
event with awards and associated PSA Star Points. The Convention has
nothing to do with this exhibition except for providing space to display
the images (it also has a slide component that will be shown in the
stereo theater).

5) Medium Format Exhibition - hopefully run by Sam Smith - this is for
showing only. Artists could sell their works if they would like.

The Gallery would be open Friday through Sunday with a no host bar
reception from 8-10 pm Friday.

Hope this clears things up.

Thanks,

David W. Kesner

Joel Alpers wrote:

>
> Yes, do tell! My email about David Lee's hand-made box
> camera was really about something mroe than this --- I have
> an interest in making a 5x7 film camera that can take two
> 3x3" images for contact printing stereo cards.
>
> Now, that may be silly, but it is a thing I have thought
> about for some time now. Please tell us, Sam, what
> you did and what the results were!

I've been putting off building a 5x7 stereo camera for years now.
Ever since I bought a pair of lenses from a group buy on a previous
version of this list.

A good place to start looking is Jon Grepstad's web page
<http://home.online.no/~gjon/>. He maintains the LF camera building
FAQ, has written a good book (complete with measured drawings) for
building a 4x5 monorail camera, and has a list of many other home made
LF cameras.

Edward A. Hoover has a nice webpage describing how he built a simple
flatbed 4x5 camera. <http://home.earthlink.net/~eahoo/camera.html>

--
Brian Reynolds | "But in the new approach, as you know,
reynolds@panix.com | the important thing is to understand
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | what you're doing rather than to get
NAR# 54438 | the right answer." -- Tom Lehrer

I am in 2 MF folios, the IMF, run by Sam Smif ,and Folio II, run
by Brian Reynolds. The folios can have from about 35 to over 50
slides in each of them. When I receive a folio, I take the first
chance I can get and view them "quickly" which always takes me
over an hour to do. Later, when I have more time, I go over the
folio again, observing more of the details (often missed on the
first viewing) and make notes for comments to be entered on the
comments page.

What I am saying is that to get full benefit of a stereo slide
you need to view it for at least 2 mins. For the MF Folio II
with 48 slides, that is 96 min. or over 1.5 hours. If using only
one viewer and showing the folio to 4 people we are talking about
a 6 hour project.

Another "feature" of showing a folio is that the person who made
the view is not likely there to answer questions about it. Since
we want to show the views to educate new people to the "sport",
having the person who shot the view and mounted it there to
answer questions about how and why he did what he did and what he
used to do it would sure be educational.

I will never forget one night at NSA in Texas where I met Don
Lopp. We had both brought several boxes of our slides and we set
up to well past 2AM (or was it 3AM) in my room viewing each
others views and talking about them. We each had our own viewers
and could try the slides in different viewers and had a "1 on 1"
discussion of pros and cons on about everything. I think both of
us "old dogs" came away with some new tricks.

On other nights we were in the lobby of the hotel where several
other MF shooters as well as interested people were there passing
around slides and viewers and enjoying more 3-D then we could
handle. I know there were many slides I never got to see.

Scheduling a folio to be there:
Disrupts the flow of the folio causing, in some cases, a 3 month
delay to be added to the loop that normally takes over a year to
complete.
Makes the person responsible for the folio at risk for someone
else's views being either damaged or lost.
Doesn't have the right person there to answer questions about the
views.

A better plan is to bring your slides with you:
You will better control your own work and if you loose a slide
the "Buck stops here".
The photographer can answer questions of how the shot was taken
and why.
The mounter can show off his mounting techniques and explain
them.

We had a member of Folio II drop out because there were "too many
slides in the folio". It had almost 60 in it at the time. There
is no doubt a limit to the number of slides you can view and
enjoy in the time you will have at NSA, there will be other
things to do as well. Paul Talbot has often brought a stack of
rather nice slides to NSA and I am sure Sam and many others will
bring plenty as well. I think that there will be enough MF
slides at NSA to please everyone even if no folio shows up. Of
course if someone who is coming to NSA happens to have a folio at
that time, and can properly monitor its viewing by others, he
could bring it.

Just my $.02US worth,

Chuck Holzner

--- In MF3D-group@yahoogroups.com, Joel Alpers wrote:

> Now, that may be silly, but it is a thing I have thought
> about for some time now. Please tell us, Sam, what
> you did and what the results were!

I converted an old 5x7 Korona Field Camera to stereo use. I made a
folding septum, a lens board for 2 process lenses and modified an old
Thorton Pickard shutter for stereo use.

The results were good, but the DOF required for such a large view was
very limiting. I was shooting f32 minimum, up to f128!

Sam