Kodak Stereo (1954–1959)

Name: Kodak Stereo
Brand: Kodak

A 35mm film stereo camera made by Eastman Kodak, built to shoot paired images in the Stereo-Realist format.

Overview

The Kodak Stereo is a 35mm film stereo camera made by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, from 1954 to 1959. Arthur H. Crapsey designed it. It shoots stereo image pairs in the Stereo-Realist format on standard 135 film, 20 pairs per roll. It has two Anaston 35mm f/3.5 lenses and a Kodak Flash 200 shutter with speeds from 1/25s to 1/200s, plus a bulb setting. The right-hand lens carries a focus scale calibrated in feet. Kodak Wratten Filters in Series V size fit directly, no adapter rings needed. Approximately 100,000 units were made.

Specifications

Film Format	35mm (135 film)
Picture Size	23 x 24mm or 24x24mm
Lens	Two Anaston 35mm f/3.5
Shutter	Kodak Flash 200
Shutter Speeds	1/25s to 1/200s, Bulb
Focus	Right-hand lens with calibrated scale (feet)
Filters	Accepts Kodak Wratten Series V directly
Flash Connection	Kodak
Body Material	Bakelite
Production Years	1954–1959
Quantity Made	Approx. 100,000
Original Price	$84.50 or $85

Design

The two lenses are aligned for stereo work, and the right-hand lens does the manual focusing through its calibrated scale. The body is Bakelite, which makes the camera heavy. Series V Kodak Wratten Filters fit without adapter rings. If you use a satin finish reflector with flash, set the lens opening one half stop larger than indicated.

Context

Market

A Kodak Stereo Camera with accessories, including a Norwood Director Exposure Meter, sold for $135 with $26.55 shipping in a recent listing. One collector reported picking up the camera at an estate sale for $25. It works with modern films such as Kodak Portra 400, particularly when adapted to 620 spools.