Viewmaster
Dec 14, 2017 09:17:46 #
I've been shopping for a vintage Viewmaster for my grandson's Christmas gift and was surprised to find offered hand labeled discs and sleeves. Back in the day did folks have the means to create their own 3-D stereo images? How I enjoyed the fantasies these and old world maps used to create in my imagination.
Dec 14, 2017 09:20:49 #
I've got one somewhere and some discs.
I like the 3D images.
Bought it off ebay.
Pat
I like the 3D images.
Bought it off ebay.
Pat
Dec 14, 2017 09:38:48 #
Dec 14, 2017 09:54:34 #
Thank you for the feedback. My curiosity was piqued when I saw hand labeled discs. Did photographers have the means to make their own? My family is in a phase of classic appreciation right now so I think vintage is necessary.
Dec 14, 2017 10:06:39 #
We used to have one. I loved clicking through those pictures of places I was too young to actually remember seeing. I know we would never have been able to afford it!
Dec 14, 2017 10:26:56 #
barbie.lewis
Loc: Livingston, Texas
Yes, personal Viewmaster cameras were available. We have one. You typically use 35-mm transparency film. The film goes through the camera in one direction and the small images are recorded on 1/2 the width of the film. When the roll ends you turn a knob and the film direction reverses so you use the other half of the width. You get a lot of images per roll!
When you have the film processed you specify "Do Not Cut, Do Not Mount."
The film comes back as an uncut roll. You use a precision device, a Viewmaster film cutter, to cut out the images. You insert the cut images into blank Viewmaster reels.
Cameras can probably still be found in the used market but the cutters are rare. As it was explained to me, "Originally there was a film cutter produced for each camera, but someone must have two."
There were a wide variety of viewers, most of the "toy" variety, but some with better quality lenses and built-in illumination.
And there were projectors, again both the "plastic toy" variety and also higher quality metal projectors.
When you have the film processed you specify "Do Not Cut, Do Not Mount."
The film comes back as an uncut roll. You use a precision device, a Viewmaster film cutter, to cut out the images. You insert the cut images into blank Viewmaster reels.
Cameras can probably still be found in the used market but the cutters are rare. As it was explained to me, "Originally there was a film cutter produced for each camera, but someone must have two."
There were a wide variety of viewers, most of the "toy" variety, but some with better quality lenses and built-in illumination.
And there were projectors, again both the "plastic toy" variety and also higher quality metal projectors.
Dec 14, 2017 10:35:39 #
How interesting! Thanks so much for your thorough description of the Viewmaster system. This encourages me to do some more research. Maybe I'll find all the accessories I need to complete one. I think it could be a lot of fun. 😀
Dec 14, 2017 11:54:18 #
barbie.lewis
Loc: Livingston, Texas
In theory you could use a current digital camera to shoot the two spaced-apart images, print them as small transparencies, and mount them in those hand-loadable reels.
Dec 14, 2017 14:04:19 #
If you want to take use your regular camera to take 3D images, check out this guys post.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=32822
He posted a lot of images and discussed many times, his tecnique.
I use the cross eyed method for the 3D image to appear.
I enjoyed his creations! Haven't seen him on the forum in several years.
I don't know how this would relate to the viewmaster.
Pat
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=32822
He posted a lot of images and discussed many times, his tecnique.
I use the cross eyed method for the 3D image to appear.
I enjoyed his creations! Haven't seen him on the forum in several years.
I don't know how this would relate to the viewmaster.
Pat
Dec 14, 2017 14:45:38 #
Thanks but I am really interested in preserving the nostalgia of the original Viewmaster. Modern digital alternatives just don't allow for that.
Dec 15, 2017 17:00:47 #
Stereo viewers are as old as the 1838. They were called stereopticons then. There is actually a National Stereoptic Association.
Dec 15, 2017 17:06:51 #
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