Linex
The Linex is a short-lived stereo camera introduced circa 1953 by the Linex Corporation, a subsidiary of the Lionel Corporation — a company far better known as manufacturer of model railroad sets[1].
The Linex is stoutly built, primarily of cast metal, and has rather limited controls. There is a single "snapshot" shutter speed; and the twin achromat lenses are fixed focus, with 6 feet as the closest recommended subject distance. Exposure may be adjusted between "normal" and "bright" conditions using a front selector lever, which switches the lens aperture between roughly f/6 and f/8[2].
The Linex was supplied new as a complete kit which included a battery-operated stereo viewer, a plaid carrying case, and, a starter cartridge of film in a mailer box to return it for processing[3]. The proprietary film cartridges were a drop-in rectangular stick shape, with an integral dark slide, loaded with enough unperforated 16mm color-transparency film to permit exposing 8 stereo pairs. The image size is slightly larger than that used in the View-Master camera. Rather than a conventional advance lever, a clear plastic pull-strip protrudes from the end of the cartridge, perforated with index holes which ensure the correct frame spacing (however cocking the shutter is a separate operation). Gustavson states that Ansco was the supplier of the Linex transparency film; but that the oddball proprietary format likely held back sales of the camera, leading to its 1956 discontinuation.
|
| Complete boxed kit image by eBayer tradrgary (Image rights) |
|
| The stereo camera from the model train company image by Rick Soloway (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ See the article Lionel Corporation at Wikipedia.
- ↑ There are some discrepancies between the apertures and shutter speed reported by Gustavson versus those listed in the specifications linked below.
- ↑ See for example these photos posted by Collectors Weekly user "Henry".
Bibliography
- Gustavson, Todd. 500 Cameras: 170 Years of Photographic Innovation. New York, Sterling Signature, 2011. ISBN 978-1-4027-8086-8 (softcover). Page 372.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Page 627.
Links
- Linex manual from Mike Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
- Description and photos from submin.com
- Linex compared to other stereo cameras by Rick Soloway on Flickr.
- Linex specifications from stereoscopy.com
