Richard verascope, how to take the pictures....

My question is how to take pictures of the pictures that are on the glass plates in richard verascope format, literally keeping the same 3D format as watching in the little box. Thanks for the help.

Not sure what you are trying to do. How big are the plates? Easiest way to take pics of pics is using a good scanner. If that doesn't make sense, then a 35mm camera on a tripod pointed at the pic, which is lighted by good light around 3,100k to 4,500k to protect white balance. The pic can then be cropped and adjusted in Stereomaker and printed or whatever you want to do with it.

https://petapixel.com/2013/04/18/photographer-hunts-for-vintage-cameras-that-contain-undeveloped-film/  This is probably what you mean. If they are slides, then you would have to back them up with white paper to take a picture of them. The problem you will run into is a shadow image caused by light going into the slide and bouncing the image off the paper as well.  Another idea might be to mount the slide so that it is about a foot away from the white paper/board, and then shine light on the board and also have diffused light onto the front of the slide. Then take a picture of the slide about a foot away. This should avoid any shadowing.

Thanks for those replies, my question was actually a stupid question as I actually wanted to keep the 3D effects after taking pictures of the glass plates on the computer but it's actually impossible to view those 3D pictures without a stereoscope I guess, unless there is a way to reproduce the effect on the computer.

Btw, is there on the market a camera taking those kind of pictures in verascope, if you ever call it like that, like the ones that were in use long time ago ?

Thanks for the help !

freakpix wrote:

Thanks for those replies, my question was actually a stupid question as I actually wanted to keep the 3D effects after taking pictures of the glass plates on the computer but it's actually impossible to view those 3D pictures without a stereoscope I guess, unless there is a way to reproduce the effect on the computer.

Btw, is there on the market a camera taking those kind of pictures in verascope, if you ever call it like that, like the ones that were in use long time ago ?

Thanks for the help !

Once you take a picture of the plates you edit them to switch the right to the left and then view them crosseyed, or you can free-view them as long as the objects in the image on your computer are no more than 2.5" apart. If you had 3D monitor or TV, you could process them so they would show up in 3D.

Check this site out, they have some useful 3D stuff to buy. http://www.3dstereo.com/

Check out the Wide View Viewer that allows you to view 3D side by side images on your computer in large format.

Well, here are all the boxes filled with glass plates from my grandfather taken between 1910 till 1917 at least, and most of them haven't been seen for the last 40- 50 years.

I got bout more than 30 boxes filled of those glass plates, what is missing is the camera.

But I do have the stereoscopes, big and small format to check the pictures in perfect shapes.

Got pictures from WW1,  family and lots of various ones. I am actually scanning them all with my Epson V550, it takes time to scan them all as you know, slow process. I will create a special homepage for that in the future for my project.

Now, I'd like to know if there is on the market a modern camera taking digitally those kind of pictures, is there any ?

Cool camera you have btw, but is that from the 1920's ? I am really wondering with what kind of camera my grandfather would have taken those pictures.

Gerry Siegel wrote:

freakpix wrote:

Thanks for those replies, my question was actually a stupid question as I actually wanted to keep the 3D effects after taking pictures of the glass plates on the computer but it's actually impossible to view those 3D pictures without a stereoscope I guess, unless there is a way to reproduce the effect on the computer.

Btw, is there on the market a camera taking those kind of pictures in verascope, if you ever call it like that, like the ones that were in use long time ago ?

Thanks for the help !

It would help if you gave a better description of your specific model Verascope plates, although I suspect I know what size you are dealing with. Likely 45X107 mm plates which, I once found yielded two images about 2-1/4 inches square. There were, of course, viewers , old ones now to see them in stereo. Plate viewers were the thing in the 1920s. If you are intent on seeing them in stereo, a copy to digital and perhaps a projection via an LCD projector via shutter glasses.

Now we are getting into a not so common modality and few out here have any experience with same......Yes, of course you can make prints of each image, it is not unlike printing Rolleiflex size images, but as positives. Then you would use a print viewer. Old Holmes style.

I picture here my antique Ica Polyskop camera with plate magazine gelatin emulsion film back- which I used only once and free viewed. PS How many of these suckers you got? If your Verascope glass plates were originated from such a camera, then I understand what you got....

Every question has an answer that says it can be done..with some work and research.

Is the answer easy or cheap enough becomes another question. If the images are of family or historical value, then a way is worth the effort and time.

Ica Polyskop glass plate camera of late 1920s with plate magazine changer. In 45 X107 ( moderate) mm size. Zeiss Tessar uncoated but sharp four element matched lens yielded sharp images from my test.

The devices I have, the big one on the 3rd picture is a copied picture I took from the net as the original is still in France yet to be picked up from my parents' place.

As my grandfather was french living in France, with what kind of camera do you think he could have taken all those pictures I have on glass plates ?

I find nowhere infos on google nor on you tube the process of taking those kind of pictures with a camera, would you know ?

My whole collection still to be discovered as most of them hasn't been seen by the naked eye (beside some from my father) for X years.

Thanks for that info bout "the stereoscopic union", I will check it asap.

Gerry Siegel wrote:

It is an Ica Polyskop German camera of the 1920s designed for glass plates as I mentioned. Glass plates gave way to roll film shortly afterwards. Verascopes became Rolleidoscopes as film stock settled in sizes. The 120 size film backs gave about the same size individual images. You got a nice legacy that may include some shots of historical interest. I would get in a friendly relationship with groups that are preserving and interest in hisorical imagery in stereo. Consider joining a group like the NSA or other country organizations. The International Stereoscopic Union ......Hook up with someone who is also interested in vintage photos of this sort. Learn and share.. As to modern digital cameras. There are a few. Too few.

An open ended search on stereoscopic cameras will tell you more than I can offer. Someone else here will no doubt be interested and have the time to give you more or specific recommendations. Have fun.

It is worth it. Even, believe me, consider use of a '50s dated film Stereo Realist which many have used and it is still out there and film still available. Then digitize as you like, Not a giant problem if you want to get started taking 3-D pictures of the family. Or the Fuji digital model W-3 3=D, available as discontinued item.

A hobby approach, film based Stereo Realist taking and viewing system from the 1950s, viewer , mounting cutter and slides w viewer.. Many many still available on the used market. Simple , solid, good lenses.

Thanks, I already seen this page but it is impossible to say with which kind of camera he took all the pictures I have.

It's funny because when you look at the 6th picture I have an almost similar one with  (according the infos I got from my father) german prisoners marching the street. I'd need a professional to look at that.

Question was how to view these Verascope 3d images.  I would suggest you download and install the FREE windows program StereophotoMaker.  Scan the whole slide (2 side by side images).  In StereoPhoto Maker you can re-save the image as .mpo format.  I don't know if the single .jpg image containing the left and right stereo views from the same slide can be opened and recognized as a stereo pair by this program.  If not, you may need to separate the stereo image into 2 images - the left one and the right one.  In Stereo Photo Maker (SPM for short) you can open left then right image (can be in different directories even).

The  .mpo format is still really a jpg image but the mpo is a container for the 2 images.  Many 3D TV's directly recognize the format as 3D and can display.

As a stereo pair in SPM program I would run their auto adjustment to better align the images (may improve viewing).

Now for digital viewing I suggest you purchase from Aliexpress a ZTE V5 K3DX phone.  It has a glasses free display.  You can buy (less than $5 US) the Android version of SPM for the phone (3DSteroid), copy your .mpo files of the Verascope slides and view on the phone as 3D without using any glasses.  The phone is an older model and quickly selling out.  Price with shipping to USA is $88 plus tax - about $95.

There are other applications for Android for viewing the images including SVIEW and Stereoscope. Finally, the phone comes with a program for viewing.

I think you would not be disappointed to save, view an share these images of family history in this way.  There is a 3D-Photo forum on Yahoo which is very active and advice is freely shared.

You also asked about a 3D digital camera.  Fujifilm offered the W3 Real 3D camera which has 2 lenses, 2 sensors and produces .mpo digital stereo image pairs.  It is a point and shoot consumer camera but does take good images especially with good lighting.  The best part is the camera has a built in lenticular display not too different (perhaps the same as) the display technology on the ZTE v5 K3DX phone an you can directly view your images recorded with this camera in 3D on the built in display without using any special glasses.

Thank you for this very interesting response, but does this software do the same thing as the pictures on this homepage : https://io9.gizmodo.com/rare-3d-camera-found-containing-photos-from-wwi-669397198

Btw, I am a mac person with iphone and macbook pro, and looking to reproduce the same effects as on the link above with my personal 100 years old pictures , any hints ?

McPhoto wrote:

Question was how to view these Verascope 3d images. I would suggest you download and install the FREE windows program StereophotoMaker. Scan the whole slide (2 side by side images). In StereoPhoto Maker you can re-save the image as .mpo format. I don't know if the single .jpg image containing the left and right stereo views from the same slide can be opened and recognized as a stereo pair by this program. If not, you may need to separate the stereo image into 2 images - the left one and the right one. In Stereo Photo Maker (SPM for short) you can open left then right image (can be in different directories even).

The .mpo format is still really a jpg image but the mpo is a container for the 2 images. Many 3D TV's directly recognize the format as 3D and can display.

As a stereo pair in SPM program I would run their auto adjustment to better align the images (may improve viewing).

Now for digital viewing I suggest you purchase from Aliexpress a ZTE V5 K3DX phone. It has a glasses free display. You can buy (less than $5 US) the Android version of SPM for the phone (3DSteroid), copy your .mpo files of the Verascope slides and view on the phone as 3D without using any glasses. The phone is an older model and quickly selling out. Price with shipping to USA is $88 plus tax - about $95.

There are other applications for Android for viewing the images including SVIEW and Stereoscope. Finally, the phone comes with a program for viewing.

I think you would not be disappointed to save, view an share these images of family history in this way. There is a 3D-Photo forum on Yahoo which is very active and advice is freely shared.

You also asked about a 3D digital camera. Fujifilm offered the W3 Real 3D camera which has 2 lenses, 2 sensors and produces .mpo digital stereo image pairs. It is a point and shoot consumer camera but does take good images especially with good lighting. The best part is the camera has a built in lenticular display not too different (perhaps the same as) the display technology on the ZTE v5 K3DX phone an you can directly view your images recorded with this camera in 3D on the built in display without using any special glasses.

Thanks !

Gerry Siegel wrote:

freakpix wrote:

Thanks, I already seen this page but it is impossible to say with which kind of camera he took all the pictures I have.

It's funny because when you look at the 6th picture I have an almost similar one with (according the infos I got from my father) german prisoners marching the street. I'd need a professional to look at that.

Think. During the time period, there were only X models of the Verascope made. So you can make a pretty good guess when it was made. Also, the glass plates may have some tell tale signs from the film gate. On the other hand, you have the plates and that would satisfy me. I have nothing else to contribute. Now you need only research military records to see what campaigns and units grandpa served in. Good luck. Mine from WW 1 are lost in the mist of history. Heritage research is a big thing nowadays. That you have actual photos of his units will tell a whole lot. Lucky you are. Bonne chance.

Yes StereoPhotoMaker for PC and 3D Steroid support the "Wiggle" View you demonstrated in the link.  In my opinion it is not the best way for viewing.

I do not have a MAC and do not believe there is a version of Stereophotomaker for MAC, but several people on the Yahoo 3D Photo forum are running this program on Macs using Wine and/or other software.  I am not in position to offer more information as noted.

Again I would recommend the ZTE V5 K3DX 3d glasses free display phone.  For about $100 you will be very pleased.

Hi, I was excited to find this thread, as I also purchased similar items at a garage sale. I'm the box was a Richard verascope camera, about 600 glass slides, mostly dating back to around 1910, a few viewers (metal ones that can be filled up) and about 30s boxes of undeveloped, unopened glass slides.

I'm going to get some advice on 1) scanning images from the glass slides, (I saw there are already some good tips above) and 2) trying to find out how one might go about using the camera to take more pictures, hopefully using the unopened glass slides - as well as how I could develop those. I can't seem to find very specific information on the internet so far.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Great, I finally scanned all my glass plates this year, it's really a long process but the result turned out great. The only downside is that you won't get the exact same sharp quality picture as on the glass plates and that's a pity, I really wonder how to do that, gotta be super professional equipment then.

So for being able to scan those glass plates, you'd need a scanner like the one I use an Epson perfection V600, newer models doesn't seem to give better picture quality.

I'll try to add somw pictures later.