Multifunction Flash Adapter
For use of Electronic Flash on Stereo Cameras
*** Allows you to use a modern Electronic Flash in Realist & TDC Colorist Stereo Cameras ***
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Very versatile & Inexpensive:
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Electronic flash is not an accessory... it is more of a necessity for stereo photography! Allows you to take pictures under low light, indoors etc. The brief flash light duration freezes action and results in sharp pictures.
It comes as a surprise for some people to learn that they can use electronic flash with their 1950s stereo cameras. I was surprised too... considering that these cameras do not take batteries. But you don't need an electric circuit in the camera to fire the flash. The electric circuit is inside the flash unit. The only information from the camera is when to trigger the flash and this is done with a simple mechanical contact.
Most 1950s stereo cameras work well with an electronic flash, provided that you can connect the flash to the camera. The flash contacts are not standard. Stereo cameras like the Stereo Realist, TDC Colorist, Revere/Wollensak have hot shoes (meaning there is a shoe to hold the flash and a contact to fire it) but the contact is unconventional, in the form of a bump that prevents the unit to be inserted. There are three ways to go around this: 1) modify the camera (file the bump down), 2) modify the flash (I do this with the Vivitar flash I have for sale in my ebay store), 3) modify an adapter (this is what I have done here).
For some time now I have been selling the Hama adapter (for $25), modified for the Stereo Realist and other stereo cameras. But now I think I have found a better adapter. Consider these features:
Back/top side of adapter showing |
Back side of modified adapter |
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Hot shoe contact! Now your flash does not have to have a PC cord if this adapter is placed at the top of the camera's hot shoe.
Two PC male and one PC female connections, allow you to attach more than one flashes and fire together. If your flashes require a male PC connection, as most do, then you can have up to 3 flash units (one at the top without PC connection, and two on the sides with PC connections) connected to the camera.
Test fire button, allows you to test the flashes.
Sturdy metal shoe, will not break. Lock wheel secures the flash adapter on the camera
Less expensive than Hama unit! Only $12 as-is or $20 modified. Email if you would like an unmodified adapter for $12.
It is modified for the Stereo Realist and TDC Colorist cameras (possibly others too, but not the Revere/Wollensak). The modification consists of inserting a channel and reducing the width of the contact a bit.