Another Brooks Stevens Design, the Contura Stereo Camera

[64V19816]

Brooks Stevens had a hand in about 2000 industrial designs. Of course we know his Studebaker work, but here’s something different. Back after WW2 till the late 1950s Stereo 35mm Photography was Very popular. Toward the end of the “craze” an attempt was made to build the finest stereo camera possible. This is known as the Contura Stereo Camera. A company was begun to accomplish this, using a mechanical design by Seton Rochwite (inventor of the Stereo Realist), and a body styled by Brooks Stevens. An innovative feature was the gold bars across the front. When they all lined up, your camera was perfectly set for a group photo on a sunny day with Kodachrome. Well....financial troubles occurred and it became apparent the cameras would not be built, and many investors were out of luck. Finally it was decided to build 130 cameras to be offered to the investors. •••Today about 30-40 are known, many Camera collections (including the Eastman House) lack an example. I got mine from the grandson of an investor, it came out on special occasions at family get togethers., The Contura Stereo Camera really reflects the Brooks Stevens eye, and I’m sure you’ll notice this too. Built in Mikwaukee Wisconsin in 1955, this was the 12th one built. BTW, Yes, It Works

[Dick LeRoux]

What format is the film? It looks std. 35mm or is it something different?

[64V19816]

Yup. 35mm film, for stereo viewer slides. 3D

[t walgamuth]

looks cool!

[Colgate Studebaker]

Back when the Brooks Stevens Museum was still in Mequon (outside Milwaukee Wi.), it was a 15 minute ride for us to visit it. Along with his automotive collection there were many other areas of his work interests, and I'm quite sure there was one of those cameras on display. I didn't realize the history of it, thanks for the info. Bill

[8E45E]

Back when the Brooks Stevens Museum was still in Mequon (outside Milwaukee Wi.), it was a 15 minute ride for us to visit it. Along with his automotive collection there were many other areas of his work interests, and I'm quite sure there was one of those cameras on display. I didn't realize the history of it, thanks for the info. Bill

I sure miss that place! https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....uestions-5-pix

https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/18019-studebaker-ss?17549-Studebaker-SS=&highlight=excalibur

He had lots of other interesting vehicles in his museum besides the Excaliburs and future Studebaker concepts

Craig

[showbizkid]

Had one of these used when I was a kid; found it at a resale shop for a couple of bucks. Sturdy and well-made; I used it for quite a while for fun, although it effectively doubled the cost of photography if you weren't specifically creating stereo images. Nice piece of work. (I always went back to my Zeiss-Ikon Ikonta 120 folding camera for real photos though - the larger negative was a joy to work with.)

[64V19816]

Too bad you didn’t keep it. Current value about $2000

[Dick LeRoux]

Clark,
Where did you work in photography? I was a photo manager in San Francisco 1981 - 1986. Had a job offer from Kodak for a lab manager position in WA but I asked for a "little" time to consider the offer. Within a week Kodak closed the lab and I would have agreed to a position that would have evaporated. Changed careers and 34 years later I'm nos doing my best to figure out retirement.

[64V19816]

Retirement? Film is roaring back and those skills are in demand again!

[Dick LeRoux]

Problem is, I haven't been in a photo darkroom since 1987. I'm sure what I know is of little use in today's film development or enlargement market.

[Commander Eddie]

I owned a professional photo lab and studio in Santa Barbara back in the '80s and used to teach photo darkroom techniques as a consultant. We used to process stereo film. We also took in medical retinal fluorescence angiography film at night which was stereoscopic images of human eyes. I would love to get back into it but time, money and trying to assemble all the equipment are a daunting task.

[Dick LeRoux]

Eddie,
I'm sure you, like me, have an interest, but as you know, unless you do it on a daily basis your skills for processing / enlarging / printing are not something you can just jump right back into. I had already started an entirely different career in 1986 and I'd help out two different labs but the more time I spent away from it, the more I had to re-focus just to stay relevant. My son ended up being a better photographer than me and when he was into it circa 2004, I passed along as much as I could but the technology had changed so much that I may as well have tried to teach him Latin. (Again a subject I took 3-years worth in college) As someone long ago told me, "Sure you can change out your brakes, but when was the last time you did it? Unless you do it everyday you're not going to remember everything you need to do."

Granted, when we do brakes, we have time to make sure it's right. But on a professional level, who amongst us would feel comfortable doing the brakes on someone else's car and taking $$ for it if you haven't done that chore for 33 years. I'll accept my short comings on my stuff and accept the results, but I'll never accept that chance on someone else's car.

[64V19816]

Pretty much, today, your “Go To” lab is Dwayne’s in Kansas City. I use prepaid mailers from BH Photo.

[studeski]

My Dad used a Busch stereo camera for over 50 years. My brother has it now plus about a dozen others, Realist and Kodak. He has filters, extra lenses and etc.
The 35mm film slide is usual height but the width of each slide is a little less. He travels all over and still takes pictures with a Busch. Doesn't have a Contura that I know of.