In my last post, I opened the first pocket of the ‘surprise bag’ and found a stereo viewer.

The giver of the bag decided to loan me this viewer as he had read about my increased interest in stereo photography. He even printed some of my photos from the Loreo post for me to view. He really only had that choice, as I haven’t posted anything from the more recent acquisitions.

With the viewer in mind, I thought I would write about one of the other stereo cameras I have been playing with recently.

I was sent an example of this camera by an American friend, before the tariff issue. It went into my to-try box, but it took me ages to get to it. Finally, I picked it up and realised it was in a bit of a state. After checking that the shutter worked, I decided to recover it.

I loved the look. Unfortunately, there was an issue with the camera that only appeared once I developed the test film.

As you can see, both images were out of focus, one side more than the other. Nothing I did would fix the issue. Once I got it in focus, the shutter would jam. Eventually, I gave up, and I decided to look for a replacement. That took some time, but eventually I found one which seemed to be in a better cosmetic condition. I decided to keep the original skin on the replacement, as I am sure I knocked something out of alignment while recovering the first example. On a more positive note, I now had an instruction booklet and a case too.

I loaded this example with a roll of Fomapan 200 and took it to a few places, including Farmer Copley’s Sunflower field. The manual let me know the speed is always 1/50th, and I could choose apertures via the dial on the front of the camera. There is no focusing involved because, as the manual states:

“The exclusive DEPTHMASTER” lens system eliminates the need for a focusing mechanism, and gives a greater depth of field than ever before…stereo graphic slides are always in focus from the foreground to deepest background.”

This model was produced at the end of the 1950s, so the great condition of this example is a marvel. Before 1959, the camera was sold as the Graflex before being sold to Wray. I found my example on eBay for less than £40, which I think is an absolute bargain, but prices vary quite a lot.

This example worked perfectly, but how? How do stereo cameras not double-expose shots as the film moves along? There are no gaps on the negative strip; it is magic…or a clever advance/cog system.

Due to my interest in stereo photography, I can usually look at two images and combine them in my head, creating the third, middle image, which is the stereo one. It has taken time to practice, but using the viewer was much easier. I will have to get myself one of those once I return the one on loan. The camera takes 2 images, not next to each other, so you have to reorder them and then combine them into one photo if you want to print them. I used Preview using the method in this video. I can view them on my phone, but the viewer is much nicer.

I will give the other ones I printed to my friend when I return the viewer.

Here are some more of the stereo images from the roll. They look much clearer when viewed the correct way, in stereo.

I have acquired two more stereo cameras, which I will write about when I get the chance. Plus I have a 3D camera, the Reto 3D. I have experimented with the Reto and found that if you remove the middle of the three photos, you can make a stereo image. It was originally designed to make wigglegrams, but the provided app no longer seems to work. In any case, I prefer stereo photos; it has become one of my favourite forms of photography.

If you want to know more about stereo photography, here is a great resource.