KORONA
STEREO SERIES 1-D CAMERA
Gundlach Optical Company, Rochester, New York 1901
Equipped with its "5x7 Instantaneous Symmetrical
Lens and Shutter", this Korona Stereo Series
1-D Camera is believed to have been manufactured in early to mid-1901,
prior to the issuance of Gundlach's 1901 catalogue
dated August,1901. This is based upon its "1-D" nametag (1901 only),
its larger case dimensions, the lack of a swing (2-part) back allowing for more
movement and its shutter which was a later variant of the Korona
Shutter "Model C".
As supplied by the factory, the Korona
Stereo Series 1-D came with a Gundlach Instantaneous
Symmetrical Lens and Shutter for making single images (taken to be either the Korona "Model C" or "Model D"), along
with the Korona Stereo Shutter. Per Gundlach's 1901 catalogue, the cost of the camera with both
shutters and a plate holder, was based upon whether the shutters were equipped
with either Single Achromatic Lenses ($40), Symmetrical Lenses ($50) or the
top-of-the-line Turner-Reich Lenses ($90). Shown below is the Korona 1-D with a Korona D Stereo
Shutter in place:
Another variant of the Korona Stereo D Shutter shown on a later Korona Stereo camera
Another unique feature is the patented rear viewing
device to assist in focusing. Consisting of a removable frame with bellows and
a viewing port, with the rear door opened, the photographer could pull
backwards on the bellows and sight through the opening. This arrangement kept out ambient light,
eliminating the need for a dark cloth. Found as standard equipment on many of Gundlach's models by 1899, it was referred to as their
"patent focusing back". The unit found on this camera states
"Patent Applied For", suggesting it pre-dates the issuance of the
patent which has yet to be located:
Labeled as the Korona Stereo
Series 1-D in their 1901 factory catalogue of Korona Cameras, Lenses and Other Photographic Apparatus, by 1902,
the camera was designated as the Korona Stereoscopic,
the stereo version of their Series III Korona.
Various versions of Korona stereoscopic cameras would
be offered through at least 1920.
Today, the Korona Stereo Series
1-D is almost never seen, since production under the "1-D" name
probably lasted for about a year.
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