Hi, all

[catire]

Hi. I just found this forum. I'm a retired photographer in NYC, and I've been collecting cameras for quite a few years, now. My main interest is stereoscopic photography, and it's equipment, though I have a hard time passing up on anything interesting that's within my means.
-Fernando.

[Peltigera]

Welcome, Fernando. I think you have the same collecting technique as most of us - anything interesting. I have always been intrigued by stereo cameras but so far I have resisted them.

[catire]

Well, stereo cameras require a bit of other gear, as well: viewers, printing frames, mounting supplies, holders, plus some very odd film sizes. The older cameras can get quite expensive. They date back to the mid 1850's. Defintitely an acquired taste. The plus side is that there are some very odd beasts out there.
Thanks for the welcome,
Fernando.

[hansz]

Welcome Fernando,

Stereo cams is a wide playing field and - like you implied - a rather luxurous hobby...
Years ago 2 x lubitel was enough to get you going, but then the Sputnik came along, etc. etc.
Ferwerda's book was our bible then.

Again, welcome on board.

Hans

[Stephen]

Welcome Fernando,
Stereo.....I have an interest in the Victorian prints, and using two 35mm reflexes together, is my practical limit, but we once had a customer come in the shop, with a Leitz stereo outfit, it was in very poor general condition, and the prisms had the Canada balsam adhesive fogged.

Sent to Germany after the UK distributor looked at them, we were worried after a few weeks to hear it had been sent to Canada. Leitz then said it was back in Germany, and would be delivered next week, we waited and then two gentleman turned up from Leitz in Germany to personally return the stereo unit, now in a new presentation box, with new instructions, accessories and all the parts, some of which were missing, all re-glue optics, fully re-coated, it looked new, with new chrome, and an engraved plaque in the box, certifying it was part of the original batch......

We asked as the charge this would involve, as really we had been waiting for a quotation for repair, but they said no charge, as long as they could ask the owner to sell it too them or have an option on purchase for their own museum. We left it up to the customer, he sold it and bought another unit to actually use, and got a large amount left over.

Leitz had wanted it as it was virtually a prototype, a small proving batch before full production.

Stephen.

[Deleted]

Welcome, Fernando. The more the merrier.

Wayne

[mickeyobe]

Welcome,

Fernando, I am sure you will meet people here who match your interests.

Mickey

[daveh]

Fernando, you're welcome, you're welcome (greeting in stereo).

Stephen, were those two men from Leitz "heavies", sent to ensure they could buy the said item? What a superb story. I wonder if they would be interested in a rather tatty Xenon 5cm f1.5 lens.