Difference between revisions of "View-Master Personal"

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The View-Master Personal Camera is a stereoscopic camera used for the creation of View-Master slide reels, usable in any View-Master viewer.
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfobrien/3283452850/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3283452850_0c5e035dc2.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= View-Master Personal Stereo Camera
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|image_by= Mark O'Brien
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|image_rights= with permission
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The '''View-Master Personal Camera''' is a [[Stereo|stereoscopic camera]] used for the creation of View-Master slide reels, usable in any View-Master viewer.
  
 
== History and Usage==
 
== History and Usage==
  
Created in 1952 by the Stereocraft Engineering Company for Sawyer's.  Using 35mm slide film, it allowed the user to create three-dimensional View-Master reels.
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Created in 1952 by the Stereocraft Engineering Company for [[Sawyer's]].  Using [[35mm]] slide film, it allowed the user to create three-dimensional View-Master reels.
  
This was a perfect camera for vacations as the number of exposures are about doubled per roll of film due to the size of the photo and the unique function for taking photos.  When you begin taking your photos, the lenses are traveling across the upper portion of the film.  When the film is at its end, the photographer would turn a dial located on the front of the camera between the lenses from "A" to "B."  This would switch the lenses from the top portion of the camera to the bottom portion of the camera, allowing the photographer to take another set of photos along the bottom portion of the film.
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This was a perfect camera for vacations as the number of exposures are about doubled per roll of film due to the size of the photo and the unique function for taking photos.  When you begin taking your photos, the lenses are travelling across the upper portion of the film.  When the film is at its end, the photographer would turn a dial located on the front of the camera between the lenses from "A" to "B."  This would switch the lenses from the top portion of the camera to the bottom portion of the camera, allowing the photographer to take another set of photos along the bottom portion of the film.
  
Another unique feature of the camera was the "Expo-sure" metering.  While not true metering, it gives very close results.  As you adjust the f-stop and shutter speed, the dials will adjust the Expo-sure meter to show you what conditions those settings will be good for, i.e. sunny, cloudy, etc.  This is also based on ISO, which is to be adjusted each time you put film with a new ISO into the camera or twice a year (settings are slightly different for winter and summer).
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Another unique feature of the camera was the "Expo-sure" metering.  While not true [[meter|metering]], it gives very close results.  As you adjust the f-stop and shutter speed, the dials will adjust the Expo-sure meter to show you what conditions those settings will be good for, i.e. sunny, cloudy, etc.  This is also based on [[Film speed|ISO]], which is to be adjusted each time you put film with a new ISO into the camera or twice a year (settings are slightly different for winter and summer).
  
 
Slides are mounted in personal reel blanks, which are modifications of the widely available commercial reels.  In order to insert the slides, they are first punched out in the slide cutter made for the camera.  Then, using the reel inserter tool, the chip is inserted snugly into the reel.
 
Slides are mounted in personal reel blanks, which are modifications of the widely available commercial reels.  In order to insert the slides, they are first punched out in the slide cutter made for the camera.  Then, using the reel inserter tool, the chip is inserted snugly into the reel.
  
Personal reels were still being made in the early 90s, however, when the machine that made the reels broke, Fisher-Price (current owner of View-Master) chose not to fix the machine and official reels have not been made since then.  Currently, the only way to obtain the reels needed are on second hand markets.  A popular, cheaper alternative is through the use of Russian-made Stereo Meopta reel blanks.
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Personal reels were still being made in the early 90s, however, when the machine that made the reels broke, Fisher-Price (current owner of View-Master) chose not to fix the machine and official reels have not been made since then.  Currently, the only way to obtain the reels needed are on second hand markets.  A popular, cheaper alternative is through the use of Russian-made Stereo [[Meopta]] reel blanks.
  
== Other View-Master Format Cameras ==
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== Specifications <ref>[http://www.stereoscopy.com/cameras/vm-personal.html View-Master Personal information], [http://www.stereoscopy.com Stereoscopy.com]</ref>==
* [[View Master Personal Color (Mark II)]] (not compatible with original film cutter)
 
* [[Linex]]
 
* [[Meopta Stereo 35]]
 
* [[Meopta Mikroma Stereo]]
 
* [[Meopta Mikroma Stereo II]]
 
  
== Specifications <ref>[http://www.stereoscopy.com/cameras/vm-personal.html View-Master Personal information], [http://www.stereoscopy.com Stereoscopy.com]</ref>==
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/15043578347/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5591/15043578347_13373794d3.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= brown & beige finish
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
  
 
* '''Camera Type'''  35 mm viewfinder stereo camera
 
* '''Camera Type'''  35 mm viewfinder stereo camera
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* '''Image Format''' 12.90 x 11.90 mm (W x H)
 
* '''Image Format''' 12.90 x 11.90 mm (W x H)
 
* '''Image Window Separation''' 62.60 mm
 
* '''Image Window Separation''' 62.60 mm
* '''Lenses''' View-Master Anastigmat (glass, matched), 1:3.5/25 mm, filter thread Series V
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* '''Lenses''' View-Master Anastigmat (glass, matched), 1:3.5/25 mm, [[filter thread]] Series V
 
* '''Diaphragms''' Iris diaphragms behind the lenses, continuously adjustable f/3.5 to f/16
 
* '''Diaphragms''' Iris diaphragms behind the lenses, continuously adjustable f/3.5 to f/16
 
* '''Focusing''' Fixed focus
 
* '''Focusing''' Fixed focus
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* '''Film Rewinding''' Manual. Automatically while exposing the second half of the film (Position "B")
 
* '''Film Rewinding''' Manual. Automatically while exposing the second half of the film (Position "B")
 
* '''Frame Counter''' First half (Position "A"): additive, 1 to 36. Second half (Position "B"): subtractive, 36 to 1
 
* '''Frame Counter''' First half (Position "A"): additive, 1 to 36. Second half (Position "B"): subtractive, 36 to 1
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{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/15207120636/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/15207120636_883a2fcbf7_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Showing lenses & film gates in lower position A
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 
* '''Flash Contact''' Special flash contact on top
 
* '''Flash Contact''' Special flash contact on top
 
* '''Tripod Socket''' ¼“ / 20 TPI
 
* '''Tripod Socket''' ¼“ / 20 TPI
* '''Special Features''' "ExpoSure" exposure calculator, double exposure prevention, cable release socket, bubble-level, film transport indicator (not all models)
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* '''Special Features''' "ExpoSure" exposure calculator, double exposure prevention, [[cable release]] socket, bubble-level, film transport indicator (not all models)
 
* '''Accessories''' Operating instructions, everready case, close-up attachments (24" / 36"), viewer, film cutter, flash (bulb)
 
* '''Accessories''' Operating instructions, everready case, close-up attachments (24" / 36"), viewer, film cutter, flash (bulb)
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== Other View-Master Format Cameras ==
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* [[Sawyers View-Master Stereo Color Camera|View-Master Stereo Color Camera]] (not compatible with original film cutter)
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* [[Linex]]
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* [[Meopta Stereo 35]]
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* [[Meopta Stereo-Mikroma]]
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* [[Meopta Stereo-Mikroma II]]
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
  
[http://www.vmresource.com View-Master Resource], Dedicated to the View-Master Camera
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* [http://www.vmresource.com View-Master Resource], Dedicated to the View-Master Camera
[http://www.viewmaster.co.uk 20th Century Stereo Viewers], View-Master Viewers, common and rare
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* [https://internoinbakelite.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/view-master-personal-stereo-camera/ View-Master Personal Camera review] on [https://internoinbakelite.wordpress.com Interno in bakelite]
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* [https://internoinbakelite.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/video-tutorial-obsoleto/ View-Master system video tutorial] on [https://internoinbakelite.wordpress.com Interno in bakelite]
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* [http://www.viewmaster.co.uk 20th Century Stereo Viewers], View-Master Viewers, common and rare
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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<references />
 
<references />
  
[[Category: Stereo]]
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[[Category:USA]]
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[[Category:35mm stereo]]
 
[[Category: V]]
 
[[Category: V]]

Revision as of 06:05, 10 May 2019

The View-Master Personal Camera is a stereoscopic camera used for the creation of View-Master slide reels, usable in any View-Master viewer.

History and Usage

Created in 1952 by the Stereocraft Engineering Company for Sawyer's. Using 35mm slide film, it allowed the user to create three-dimensional View-Master reels.

This was a perfect camera for vacations as the number of exposures are about doubled per roll of film due to the size of the photo and the unique function for taking photos. When you begin taking your photos, the lenses are travelling across the upper portion of the film. When the film is at its end, the photographer would turn a dial located on the front of the camera between the lenses from "A" to "B." This would switch the lenses from the top portion of the camera to the bottom portion of the camera, allowing the photographer to take another set of photos along the bottom portion of the film.

Another unique feature of the camera was the "Expo-sure" metering. While not true metering, it gives very close results. As you adjust the f-stop and shutter speed, the dials will adjust the Expo-sure meter to show you what conditions those settings will be good for, i.e. sunny, cloudy, etc. This is also based on ISO, which is to be adjusted each time you put film with a new ISO into the camera or twice a year (settings are slightly different for winter and summer).

Slides are mounted in personal reel blanks, which are modifications of the widely available commercial reels. In order to insert the slides, they are first punched out in the slide cutter made for the camera. Then, using the reel inserter tool, the chip is inserted snugly into the reel.

Personal reels were still being made in the early 90s, however, when the machine that made the reels broke, Fisher-Price (current owner of View-Master) chose not to fix the machine and official reels have not been made since then. Currently, the only way to obtain the reels needed are on second hand markets. A popular, cheaper alternative is through the use of Russian-made Stereo Meopta reel blanks.

Specifications [1]

  • Camera Type 35 mm viewfinder stereo camera
  • Manufacturer Stereocraft Engineering Company for Sawyer's, Portland, Oregon, USA
  • Year Introduced 1952
  • Film 135 cartridge
  • Size 154 x 86 x 53 mm (W x H x D)
  • Weight 654 grams without case
  • Lens Separation 61.50 mm
  • Image Format 12.90 x 11.90 mm (W x H)
  • Image Window Separation 62.60 mm
  • Lenses View-Master Anastigmat (glass, matched), 1:3.5/25 mm, filter thread Series V
  • Diaphragms Iris diaphragms behind the lenses, continuously adjustable f/3.5 to f/16
  • Focusing Fixed focus
  • Shutter Mechanical guillotine type shutter in front of the lenses. Cocked with film transport
  • Shutter Speeds Continuously adjustable, 1/10 - 1/100 sec. and "B"
  • Viewfinder Newton viewfinder (approx. 0,5x), with bubble-level
  • Rangefinder n/a
  • Film Loading Manual
  • Film Transport Manual, with knob by 8 sprocket holes (= 38.0 mm), sprocket wheels on top and bottom
  • Film Rewinding Manual. Automatically while exposing the second half of the film (Position "B")
  • Frame Counter First half (Position "A"): additive, 1 to 36. Second half (Position "B"): subtractive, 36 to 1
  • Flash Contact Special flash contact on top
  • Tripod Socket ¼“ / 20 TPI
  • Special Features "ExpoSure" exposure calculator, double exposure prevention, cable release socket, bubble-level, film transport indicator (not all models)
  • Accessories Operating instructions, everready case, close-up attachments (24" / 36"), viewer, film cutter, flash (bulb)


Other View-Master Format Cameras

Links

Notes