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No. 2 Stereo Kodak (1901 - 1905)

This box camera took 3D pictures! It made two pictures at the same moment and when the prints are viewed in a stereo viewer they give a wonderful impression of depth. The two lenses work like your two eyes. Every lens sees a slightly different picture. Both pics are combined in your brain and the differences are used to reconstruct the depth of the original scene.

The camera was made from 1901 to 1905 (1908 in UK) and it sold for $ 15. The camera can also be used to take single photos. The lens opening on the right can be closed with a metal sliding panel.
In the video you see the inside construction, showing the two picture frames in the back and the two lenses in the front.

The camera was easy to use, having fixed focus lenses and no choice of shutter speeds. There's only a button for instantaneous snaps and a separate one for time exposures.

The advantage of a box camera in comparison with a bellows camera is that the box camera is always ready to take a picture. A bellows camera has to be opened and the bellows extended. Also care has to be taken that it is extended the correct distance. Otherwise the photos would be out of focus.


Sample photo taken with a No. 2 Stereo Kodak.

 Ad in Photographische Rundschau, 1902.

 

Instructions booklet, dated April 1902.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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