Iloca Stereo (original)

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I purchased an Iloca camera yesterday at a photo show in Cleveland.  
This is the original Iloca (not to be confused with Iloca I or II) and 
it is a 7-p camera.  A little research (Piper's Technical Page and 
Starkan's writings in Reel 3-D News) brought the following information:

There are only four 7-p stereo cameras:
- Iloca Stereo (original)
- Verascope F40
- Belplasca
- FED

The Iloca is Starkman's least favorite... It has the difficult bottom 
(early Leica style) film loading.  Piper says that this is a primitive 
stereo camera and I agree.  I managed to take it apart and it the film 
advance mechanism and viewfinder is crude.  The lenses are 44 mm /3.5 
and have coupled shutters, coupled f-stops and focusing (Piper and 
Starkman mention that early models, or perhaps all models, had 
individually focusing lenses, but mine has coupled focusing).  Piper 
says that the lenses are uncoated but mine appear to be coated.  He 
warns against loading film with short leader (current style) in the 
camera.  After taking apart the camera I figured out how the film 
advance works (this is normally hidden as a result of the bottom style 
loading).  Reel 3-d does not list instructions but I figured that in 
order to advance the film you have to push the advance knob firmly 
down before turning it.  A sprocket wheel alternates film advance by 7 
and 21 perforations.

It is a cute little camera but before I test it I would like to take 
apart and clean the lenses in-between, and shutters if possible (it is 
slow at the slow speeds)... I would like to hear from anyone who owns 
or has used this camera.

Thank you! -- George Themelis


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