[photo-3d] How to focus a Kodak Stereo Camera

["Greg Tank" <tankergt@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

With all the talk of the Kodak, though it would be helpful to share how I
set the focus on the Kodak,


How to set the focus on a Kodak Stereo Camera.

Materials:
Ground glass (see below for how to make "Poor Man ground glass"
10x loupe or higher
small phillips head screw driver
Goose neck light or flashlight.
Tripod
Shutter release cable

A Kodak (Colorist I) focus by moving the the linked lens arrays towards and
away from the film plane verses a Realist (Revere) which move the film plan
and leave the lens arrays stationary. This makes setting the focus on a
Kodak quite simple. I have done it a number of ways but my current method
can be done in about 10 minutes start to finish.  I usually adjust the focus
on a Kodak at 15 ft. Then check them at other distances. I do my setting at
night.
Here you go.
1. Place a soda can, wine glass and a colored stuffed animal on a table.
2.Measure 15' from the front of the objects out into the living room.
3. Set your Kodak to f3.5, "B" shutter speed, and attach your shutter
release cable. Cock the shutter and lock the shutter open using your cable
release.
4. Open the back of your Kodak and then mount onto your tripod, placing the
front edge of the camera body 15' from the objects on the table.

You will set each lens separately. Lets start with the Right Lens.
5. Turn the lights down, pour your self a glass of wine ..... Now shine your
flash light or goose neck lamp onto the objects on the table.
6. Place the ground glass over the right lens opening on the film plan of
the Kodak and hold it in place with your loupe of with rubber bands. As you
look through the loupe, reach around with your free hand and adjust the
focus by turning the lens ring until the objects on the table are sharply
focused on the ground glass. The right lens is now focused at 15' no matter
what the focus markings on the lens ring say.
7. Now look at the distance marker on the right lens ring, if it is at 15
feet, no adjustment needed, If it is not at the 15 foot lens make adjustment
as outlined below.
8. To adjust, carefully loosen (do not remove) the two itty bitty phillips
screws on located inside the lens ring. Those two screws that are directly
across from each other on the brown ring around the lens element. Once these
are loose, you have released the outer adjustment focusing rings from the
len elements so be very careful not to move anything.
9. Now without moving the center glass lens assemble or the ring with the
two screws in it, rotate the outer focusing ring to match up 15' on the
distance indicator with the arrow. You have now aligned the focus dial
indicator at 15' with the lens which you focused at 15 feet. Tighten the two
screws, NOT TOO TIGHT, they will strip or break off. The right lens is now
in perfect focus at 15 feet. Verify using the ground glass. Repeat if
necessary.
9. Repeat step 8 and 9 for the left lens.(Even though you are setting the
left lens, you still use the distance marking on the right lens)
10. Finish your wine,  your done.

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if these instruction were poorly
written or if  you really hose it up. You can send the camera to me an I
will do a full CLA and focus adjustment at a nominal fee which can be
discussed off line. Write me with questions.

Poorman's Ground Glass - Cut a piece of single strength window glass. Place
3M Magic tape on ONE surface, you know the tape that is cloudy and then
disappears when you use it on paper.  The tape side acts as a ground glass.
Works
great!
Good Luck,
Greg
aka: tanker