Iloca Stereo Viewer
Iloca Stereo Viewer
The Iloca Stereo Viewer is a compact and well-made item from the early to mid 1950's, built almost entirely out of metal (the only parts not made of metal are the lenses and the controls for focus and lens interocular adjustment).
This viewer accepts Realist (5p) format slides in 41mm x 101mm mounts (such as those taken with the Iloca Stereo II, Iloca Stereo IIa, Iloca Stereo Rapid cameras, or any other Realist format stereo cameras). It will also accept the European (7p) format slides photographed with the Iloca Stereo camera, and other 7p format cameras, although the extremities of 7p format slides may be obscured a little.
The lenses are achromatic with a shorter focal length than most other viewers. This tends to give a more telephoto perspective when viewing slides. That is, you appear to be closer to the subject, and distances seem a bit more compressed. In fact, this viewer can almost makes you feel as if you're actually part of the scene at times.
This viewer accepts Realist (5p) format slides in 41mm x 101mm mounts (such as those taken with the Iloca Stereo II, Iloca Stereo IIa, Iloca Stereo Rapid cameras, or any other Realist format stereo cameras). It will also accept the European (7p) format slides photographed with the Iloca Stereo camera, and other 7p format cameras, although the extremities of 7p format slides may be obscured a little.
The lenses are achromatic with a shorter focal length than most other viewers. This tends to give a more telephoto perspective when viewing slides. That is, you appear to be closer to the subject, and distances seem a bit more compressed. In fact, this viewer can almost makes you feel as if you're actually part of the scene at times.
Neat and Compact
Iloca Stereo Viewer
The viewer uses 2 'C' type batteries which helps to achieve the compact dimensions. The focusing arrangement is interesting - the focus lever slides back and forth, and controls a pair of geared plates, each of which is connected to one of the lens housings. As a result, the lenses simply slide back and forward on runners until the desired setting is reached. The interocular distance is set by rotating the wheel on the top of the viewer which in turn alters the separation between the lenses by means of connecting rods.
The reflector is unusual, but practical, and almost indestructable. Unlike most viewers which have specially formed white plastic reflectors, this viewer has a metal reflector which is painted white. If it gets dirty or discoloured, a fresh coat of matt white paint is all that's needed to bring it back to new condition.
This viewer operates nicely. Slides are easy to insert and they sit comfortably in the slot. It also has a clever arrangment for the internal lamp - in order to switch the lamp on, you must insert a slide, then lift the viewer up from its resting surface. The lamp will automatically light up enabling you to view the slide - practical, and a good way to extend battery life.
All in all, a well-made viewer that is pleasant to use, and is just a little different from normal.
The reflector is unusual, but practical, and almost indestructable. Unlike most viewers which have specially formed white plastic reflectors, this viewer has a metal reflector which is painted white. If it gets dirty or discoloured, a fresh coat of matt white paint is all that's needed to bring it back to new condition.
This viewer operates nicely. Slides are easy to insert and they sit comfortably in the slot. It also has a clever arrangment for the internal lamp - in order to switch the lamp on, you must insert a slide, then lift the viewer up from its resting surface. The lamp will automatically light up enabling you to view the slide - practical, and a good way to extend battery life.
All in all, a well-made viewer that is pleasant to use, and is just a little different from normal.