Stereo Graphic from Graflex
The Graflex Stereo Graphic Camera
Graflex, a renowned American camera manufacturer, has a rich history spanning over a century. Known for their innovative designs and high-quality craftsmanship, Graflex cameras have been favored by professionals and enthusiasts alike. The Stereo Graphic camera is a testament to Graflex’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of photographic technology.
The Stereo Graphic camera, introduced in the early 1950s, is a remarkable piece of engineering. Its purpose is to capture stereoscopic images—creating an illusion of depth and immersion. The camera uses two lenses, spaced apart to replicate the distance between human eyes. This configuration allows for the simultaneous capture of two slightly different images, enhancing the perception of depth when viewed together.
One of the enduring appeals of the Stereo Graphic camera is the nostalgia and tactile experience it offers. Shooting with film evokes a sense of anticipation and craftsmanship. Each roll of film becomes a tangible collection of moments, waiting to be developed and revealed. The limitations of film, such as the finite number of exposures and the absence of instant review, encourage photographers to be more deliberate and thoughtful in their approach, resulting in a more immersive and rewarding creative process.
Using the Camera
I received this camera as a gift some time ago. I had been trying to manually recreate stereoscopic images to fit into a stereoscope viewer and was having limited success. Seeing this particular camera in a box was absolutely brilliant.
The camera is incredibly easy to use. It has one viewfinder, not two, so it’s easy to frame the subject. The shutter release and film advance are also relatively easy to use. To really add to the “ease of use” factor There is only one focal length and aperture settings which are labelled as “cloudy”, “hazy”, “bright”, “brilliant”, and simply “f16”.
Normal 35mm film is used, with one frame behind each of the lenses, which are released simultaneously.
Creating the 3d stereo image really requires having both a foreground and a background subject. I was able to do this, mostly; sadly, the better framed objects that I did have did not have both left and right image developed or scanned well enough to work.
The manual suggests colour film. I used black and white and developed on my own with limited success. Colour film is practically a requirement, and my haphazard method of home developing provided limited results. Further, my scanner had a difficult time identifying which frame was which. The next time I use this camera I will use colour film and will send it off to be developed and scanned.
And there will be a next time. This was a fun camera to use, and I’m looking forward to using it again.
My other film cameras:
- Kodak Duaflex II
- Kodak Tourist
- Agfa B2 Cadet
- Agfa Pioneer
- Brownie Special Six-16
- Kodak Flashmite 20
- Exakta VX
- Graflex 22
- Kodak Retina II
- Canon FT QL
- Zenith Comet
- Kodak No. 1 Autographic
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
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These images have a certain appeal, they feel old of course, but genuine, real and in a world that is very fake maybe that's what I like about them.
I admit, when I saw the camera I thought it was a stereo. I'm sometimes easily fooled.
Becca 🌷
Haha, I am always misreading things, usually in a very not-safe-for-work manner, and find myself double taking.
Thank you for dropping by! The next time I use this camera I'll have the film professionally developed so it's not victim to my hackery.
Your "hackery" was totally acceptable, proceed with the hackage.
Becca 🌷
What an absolutely fun and weird looking camera! So now you need vr glasses and an app or program that shows the left photo to left eye and the right one to the right eye. Would't it be weird if you used one b&w and one color film in the camera? Or different type of color films, same ISO though.
I hadn't even thought of trying a bw/colour mix. Interesting! I'll need to load some colour film in there so I can desaturate one of them.
This is one of the viewers that I have. It's a little beat up and I need another, but it has a nice stand on it. When I was a child I thought these were as close to magic as could be.
I love that! What a great and interesting device you have there. I just the other day visited a museum where I looked through a similar stereo image viewer. Ain't old tech just smart and wonderful!
Seem like you've been busy :P. Still showing your camera collection. Ran out of songs to share? :P
Hey there! Yes. Busy. Crazy busy I think is the term. I definitely have not run out of songs! I ran out of time! 😂 We had a four day weekend here due to a holiday and I took the opportunity to get some other projects done, or at least worked on. I assure you, more music will be on the way.
Thanks for dropping in! I'm hoping to get some more time here again.
Alright man all the best hehe. It's ok you'll be rich with that getting other projects done lets go!