The Single Lens Binocular Camera

By Milan Zahorcak


From 'The Stereoscope: Its History, Theory, and Construction,' (1856) by Sir David Brewster. In this section of the book, Brewster discusses several methods by which satisfactory stereoscopic photographs may be produced by fairly ordinary means. This particular method seems to have been rediscovered by fellow CPHS member, Cy Eid, who recently was found to be pursuing this concept, and is responsible for this inquiry into the past.

The Single Lens Binocular Camera

As every photographer possesses a camera with a lens between 2 1/2 and 3 inches in diameter, it may be useful to him to know how he may convert it into a binocular instrument. In a cover for the lens take two points equidistant from each other, and make two apertures, c and d (see Figure 1), 2/10ths of an inch in diameter, or of any larger size that may be thought proper, though 2/10ths is the proper size.

Place the cover on the end of the tube, and bring the line joining the apertures into a horizontal position. Closing one aperture, take the picture of the sitter, or of the statue, through the other, and when the picture is shifted aside by the usual contrivances for this purpose, take the picture through the other aperture. These will be good binocular portraits, fitted for any stereoscope, but particularly for the Achromatic Reading Glass Stereoscope..

If greater relief is wanted, it may be obtained in larger lenses by placing the two apertures at the greatest distance which the diameter of the lens will permit.

Retrievers Notes:.

Sir David Brester was born in 1781, and spent most of his life in his native Scotland. At the age of twelve, he entered the University of Edinburgh to study for the ministry, but his interest quickly turned towards science, and in particular the study of light. He wrote hundreds of papers on optics, invented the kaleidoscope, and although he did not invent the stereoscope, he did design a famous variation which bears his name..

In 1856, he wrote 'The Stereoscope: Its History, Theory, and Construction.' In it's day, this was the definitive book on the the subject, and it should be required reading for anyone seriously interested in stereo work.

Return to The Zahorcak Files