Stereo Realist f/2.8 Camera — David White Co., Milwaukee (c.1951–71) View Watchlist >
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Lot # H592
System ID # 23835501
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Stereo Realist f/2.8 Camera — David White Co., Milwaukee (c.1951–71)
This is a Stereo Realist f/2.8 (Model 1042) stereo camera, manufactured by the David White Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, between 1951 and 1971. Introduced as the premium version of the legendary Stereo Realist line, this model is fitted with dual 33mm f/2.8 Anastigmat lenses, which offered brighter, sharper performance than the more common f/3.5 version. Its advanced optics reduced vignetting, improved image quality, and allowed greater flexibility with lens attachments, making it the professional’s choice for stereo photography.
The Stereo Realist series is widely credited with popularizing 35 mm stereo slides in postwar America, thanks to inventor Seton Rochwite. The system was supported by a wide array of accessories—projectors, cutters, slide mounts, and viewers—that helped cement stereo slides as a cultural phenomenon of the 1950s. The f/2.8 variant remains the most desirable in the series, both for its relative rarity and for its optical superiority.
Notably, Hollywood celebrities such as Harold Lloyd used the Stereo Realist extensively, capturing vivid 3D images of mid-century American life. Collectors prize this model today not only for its photographic quality but also for its cultural and historic significance.
Condition
In good vintage condition overall, showing normal surface wear consistent with age and use. The black leatherette covering is intact with light rubbing. Lenses appear generally clear with minor internal dust; aperture and shutter controls move as expected, though the camera is untested for full operational accuracy. Bright exposure guide remains legible under the flip-up lens hood. Please review photographs closely for details.
Dimensions
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Approx. 3.25 x 6.5 x 2.75 inches
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Weight: approx. 2 lbs
Collector’s Note
The Stereo Realist f/2.8 is the flagship of the Realist line and remains one of the most sought-after stereo cameras ever made. With its bright lenses, distinctive design, and ties to the golden era of 3D photography, it represents both a functional photographic instrument and a significant piece of 20th-century visual culture.
