Kodak Stereo (1954)

This thing is in beautiful condition. Other than the missing lens cap, there is little sign this camera has had any use in the over 60 years of existence. It almost makes me wonder if anyone ever did use it. This Kodak Stereo was bought on a whim as it was being offered locally for very little. It was an intellectual curiosity as well, to see how a Kodak stereo camera functions. It will probably be my only stereo camera however.

Produced by Kodak from 1954 to 1959.

What’s So Special?

Kodak’s camera to capitalize on the 50’s era craze for 3d-pictures.

The camera has an integral bubble level which can be seen when looking through the viewfinder. This assists the user in keeping the camera level at time of exposure.

This particular copy has a Kaufman’s sticker inside, indicating it was likely sold at Kaufman’s, the major department store chain in Pittsburgh near where the camera was purchased. Kaufman’s later became part of Macy’s.

Pros

Kodak’s knock off of the somewhat better Stereo Realist
Vintage images can be scanned and after conversion, may be viewed with VR headsets today

Cons

Minimal controls, difficult to find viewers today
Viewfinder is between the two lenses, so don’t have quite a perfect view of what is being recorded to film