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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Photographic Historical Timeline 1952 Sawyer's View-Master Personal Stereo Camera Create your own stereoscopic 3D images
The View-Master Personal Stereo Camera, first released in 1952, was a 35mm film camera specifically designed to capture 3D stereo photos intended for viewing in a View-Master. The camera was the result of plans announced to the press as early as May 1946, which aimed to create a View-Master stereo camera for amateur use.
To bring this concept to life, the Stereocraft Engineering Company was established as an associated company. Its primary goal was to design and produce this innovative consumer product, as well as develop specialized manufacturing equipment for Sawyer's, the company behind the View-Master brand.
The View-Master Personal Stereo Camera was a groundbreaking device that allowed individuals to capture 3D images. By using the camera, users could take stereo photographs by exposing two side-by-side frames simultaneously on a 35mm film. These photographs could then be developed and mounted onto View-Master reels for viewing through the iconic View-Master viewer.
The View-Master Personal Stereo Camera was designed to utilize 35mm film and had the capability to produce 69 stereo pairs on a single 36-exposure roll of film. This allowed users to capture a significant number of 3D stereo photographs before needing to change the film.
In terms of its features, the View-Master Personal camera had a fixed focus mechanism, meaning it did not have adjustable focus settings. Instead, it was designed to maintain a set focus distance, providing ease of use for amateur photographers.
The camera offered variable aperture settings, allowing users to control the amount of light entering the camera. The aperture selector was continuously adjustable, providing flexibility in exposure settings. It had specific marks at aperture values of 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5.6, 6.3, 8, 11, and 16. By selecting different aperture settings, users could control the depth of field and adjust the exposure based on lighting conditions.
Similarly, the View-Master Personal camera featured a continuously adjustable shutter speed mechanism. It allowed users to choose the duration for which the camera's shutter remained open, determining the amount of time the film was exposed to light. The labeled marks on the shutter speed dial were set at 10, 15, 25, 50, and 100, indicating different speed settings.
Personal reel mounts were available for the View-Master Personal Stereo Camera, offering a convenient way to insert the film chips. These mounts featured special pockets designed to accommodate the film chips and had corresponding marks aligned with the notches on the right and left images.
After the film was developed, what one would receive back from the lab was a long strip of developed film. The next step would involve using a film cutter to carefully separate the individual stereo image chips from the strip. These chips could then be inserted into blank reels designed for View-Master viewing.
The introduction of the View-Master Personal Stereo Camera brought about a wave of excitement among enthusiasts of View-Master reels. Prior to its release, the commercial reels available in the market predominantly featured scenic subjects, limiting the variety of content that could be enjoyed.
Although the camera was relatively expensive compared to other consumer-level cameras of the time, the cost of film and processing was relatively inexpensive. This affordability factor made it an attractive option for individuals interested in capturing 3D stereo photographs.
Despite generating excitement, the View-Master Personal Camera did not achieve widespread dominance during the 3D boom of the 1950s. Only around 25,000 units were produced, which indicates that it remained a niche product within the larger photography market.
In 1955, Sawyer's, the company behind View-Master, ceased production of their products. However, in 1962, Sawyer's Europe made an attempt to revive the concept of amateur View-Master photography by introducing the View-Master Stereo Color, also known as View-Master Mark II. This camera was designed to produce images specifically for View-Master reels, but it differed significantly from its predecessor.
The camera still utilized regular 35mm film, but it introduced a unique method for capturing images. The film traveled through the camera's film compartment diagonally, allowing for simultaneous shooting on both the bottom and top halves of the film.
While the View-Master Stereo Color retained some aspects of its predecessor, such as the use of regular 35mm film and the small image size, it introduced significant changes in terms of its internal mechanisms and shooting process. This new approach aimed to offer an improved experience for amateur View-Master photography, further expanding the possibilities for creating personalized View-Master reels.
One question...does the Mark II take as many pictures as the first model?