OddCameras.com
Loreo 3D Camera MK II
The
Loreo 3D Camera MK II may have been introduced in the early 2000s
(that's when first reviews appeared) and stayed in production for a few
years. It is no longer made. The Loreo Asia Ltd., Kowloon, Hong Kong
claims to be in business since 1982. They make or trade simple stereo
cameras, lenses and viewers, pinhole devices and the famous "Lens in a
Cap", a simple, focus free lens with apertures, in a kind of camera
mount cap for a variety of SLR cameras which had quite some success in
the years of the Lomo hype.
The system used is side-by-side or parallel 3D viewing, you look at the
printed pictures with the help of a viewer, like those old stereo
pictures from the 1900s. The ingenious idea was to use the standard
24x36mm film format, which can be processed in any photolab. The two
stereo pictures are on one 24x36 frame. So on a 10x15 cm print you have
both, side by side.
There was a predecessor of the MKII with simple plastic lenses and
mirrors, 1/90s speed. It was launched in 1990. Later there was a "321"
model, which uses the crossover stereo format (odd eyed), different
from the side-by-side format, which needs different viewers. It had
motorized film transport, but still a single speed shutter, 1/90s as on
the MK I. However it featured a switch to use a third lens for a 24x36
non stereoscopic picture. All cameras were also branded, the most known
being the Argus brand.
At the end of the page there is a special edition "Käpt'n Blaubär", a german kinder cartoon.
The features of the Loreo 3D Camera MK II are:
Film Format: 35mm standard (24x36mm) on a curved film plane
Lens: Twin 28mm aspheric lenses, glass mirrors
Shutter: Single speed, 1/60s
Aperture: F 11 with flash, F 18 in daylight
Focusing: Pan focus, 2.5 feet to infinity
Frame counter: Progressive, with auto-reset
Film advance: Manual
Film rewind: Manual
Flash: Built in flash, manual activation, 5 - 8 feet (1.5m - 2.5m).
Power Source: 2x AA
Dimensions: 158 x 80 x 53 mm (W x H x D)
Weight: 228g/8oz
Some pictures:
The Camera is delivered with a padded leatherette pouch, well protected.
Camera and pouch.
Front view. Release button and viewer window.
Camera
back. Small viewer, flash switch and 2 indicator lamps, advance thumb wheel.
Camera
bottom. Battery compartment.Tripod socket. Back unlock.
Seen
from above. Rewind. Film counter.
The flash rises when switched on.
Camera back open. Curved film plane and curved pressure plate.
Film plane with sprocket wheel.
The
camera is easy to use, like any simple plastic camera. Choose the
appropriate film speed, 200 ISO for ordinary to sunny weather and ISO
400 for dull times and interiors, the latter with flash. There is
nothing to set, just aim and shoot. Modern film will give usable
results even with only one speed and aperture.
There
is a range of viewing accessories still available. As you can have your
print made everywhere, the system has large advantages to others. It's
fun to have. A nice find.
And now, as promised, a special edition "Käpt'n Blaubär" (captain bluebear), a german kinder cartoon.
It comes as a set in a special box.
A blister in a box.
A complete set...
...of camera, colourful deluxe viewer, instructions, kinder leaflet,
pouch, strap, "separator", film and two cartoon stereo cards, it's
captain bluebear on the picture.
The camera comes with a clipsable "separator"...
...it is not mentioned in the instructions, so I don't know whether
it's useful or not. Maybe it will giva a better separation between the
stereo pair.