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View Full Version : A Stereo pair or a pair of similar lenses?



Steven Tribe
23-Aug-2017, 07:52
I couldn't resist adding to a small collection of Suter lenses.

A size no. 3 Landscape meniscus serial number 9081. It mirrors the same lens I already have, which has a serial number just two earlier - 9079. There obviously a batch of these no. 3 lenses made at the same time.

Normally, stereo pairs are supposed to be matched by the maker (just in terms of exact focal length?) and mostly have sequential serial numbers. But not always - perhaps the selection was made after engraving in some instances.

Simple meniscus lenses were very popular in the early days of stereo photography. Probably because of price, but also because it was easier to make the simple achromats with exactly matching focal lengths?

Can I call these a stereo pair, without being guilty of fraud? I will, of course, do a cross check of focal lengths.

If anyone has any links to how to view large format stereo photos, where the "match" in the two images is further apart than normal type viewer can utilise, I would be very grateful!

photog_ed
23-Aug-2017, 08:20
If anyone has any links to how to view large format stereo photos, where the "match" in the two images is further apart than normal type viewer can utilise, I would be very grateful!

I heard a paper by Dave Shafer at the recent International Optical Design Conference on this subject. He worked with Salvador Dali, who wanted to make stereo pairs of paintings and wanted Dave to design a viewer. As usual, Dave came up with a brilliantly simple but effective design. The powerpoint of the paper is here:

https://www.slideshare.net/operacrazy/designing-a-novel-stereo-viewer-for-salvador-dali

Dan Fromm
23-Aug-2017, 08:21
Do what you want, but stereo pairs often -- not always -- have coupled diaphragms. Neither of your two lenses seems to have a coupling.

Steven Tribe
23-Aug-2017, 09:01
These have rotary/wheel apertures with fixed F values. I wouldn't have bothered if they had had irises!

Steven Tribe
23-Aug-2017, 09:29
Coupled irises were mostly a feature of the "brick" type French stereo cameras with dramatic names.
I think almost all early stereo cameras, using Petzvals or Landscape meniscus, had no aperture control or front washer stops.

Here is an example posted some time ago.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?110336-Scovill-Stereo-Pair-of-Lanscape-Meniscus-Brass-Lenses

Steven Tribe
23-Aug-2017, 09:44
I heard a paper by Dave Shafer at the recent International Optical Design Conference on this subject. He worked with Salvador Dali, who wanted to make stereo pairs of paintings and wanted Dave to design a viewer. As usual, Dave came up with a brilliantly simple but effective design. The powerpoint of the paper is here:

https://www.slideshare.net/operacrazy/designing-a-novel-stereo-viewer-for-salvador-dali

Fascinating link.

Such a simple design, adjustable for viewing at various distances. As the viewer was sold as Dali art, I doubt we will see them on Ebay! Perhaps Surplus shed?

Nodda Duma
23-Aug-2017, 16:30
I heard a paper by Dave Shafer at the recent International Optical Design Conference on this subject. He worked with Salvador Dali, who wanted to make stereo pairs of paintings and wanted Dave to design a viewer. As usual, Dave came up with a brilliantly simple but effective design. The powerpoint of the paper is here:

https://www.slideshare.net/operacrazy/designing-a-novel-stereo-viewer-for-salvador-dali

I'm jealous... I wasn't able to go to IODC this year (lost the coin flip to my colleague). Next time, hopefully. But I have seen Dave's presentation on Dali's project before.

dsphotog
28-Aug-2017, 10:27
you might like the hyper view, sold at www.berezin.com

Its listed under stereo viewers.
It was designed by my friend, the late, great David Lee.

Steven Tribe
28-Aug-2017, 12:12
The pocket 3Dvu model?

OK, I found the "Hyper".