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PENTAX Stereo Adapter 49mm and 52mm

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3 26,854 Sat August 26, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $111.65 8.00
PENTAX Stereo Adapter 49mm and 52mm

PENTAX Stereo Adapter 49mm and 52mm
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PENTAX Stereo Adapter 49mm and 52mm
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Description:
This adapter allows for creating 3D slides for viewing with the Stereo Viewer II.

The 3D effect is best for objects photographed at a distance of 4 meters or less. Use of f/5.6 or f/8 is recommended.

The adapter came in two versions: For lenses with a 49mm filter thread and with a 52 mm filter thread, respectively.
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Registered: October, 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,083
Review Date: August 26, 2023 Recommended | Price: $159.95 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Produces stunning 3D images if used correctly.
Cons: Way too many usage restrictions. Novelty item that you won't use much.

Versions:
Pentax released various version of the Stereo Adaptor Set over the years and this review is for the K Series set released in 1975. (With the 52mm filter thread) This set includes the “52mm stereo adaptor” and the “stereo viewer II”.




Usage:
You will need to use the following gear & settings, to get a proper stereo (3D) image:

- 35mm film SLR loaded with 135 slide film. (Colour slide film is recommended)
- 50mm to 55mm standard lens with a 52mm filter thread. (Example:K or A50/1.2, K50/1.4, K55/1.8 & K55/2)
- Lens aperture setting between f/5.6 and f/8.
- Subject range between 1.5 to 4 meters or 5 to 13 feet.
- After processing the E6 slide film, you will need to have the slides mounted.


Observations:
The stereo adaptor screws in the lens filter thread just like a filter. When the adaptor is tight, you can adjust the adaptor to make it level.

You’ll see two images of the main subject in the view finder with a black line down the center. You’ll have to focus on the main subject outside of the center of the focusing screen, (you can't use any focusing aid) making sure you keep the main subject centered. Horizontal shooting works best, though you still can shoot vertically with adjustments.

Suitable subjects are people, flowers, pets, sculptures/art installations or anything that can be isolated as the main subject at a close range. Landscapes with no main subject, will not achieve a 3D effect.

No exposure compensation is required for using the stereo adapter, the SLR’s metering will function normally. You can also use a filter as well between the lens and adaptor. (A “skylight” filter is recommended when shooting colour slide film)

When viewing the mounted slide you can adjust the space between the two eyepieces for optimal 3D effect, by turning the front of either eyepiece.


Summary:
The Pentax Stereo Adapter Set K can produce stunning 3D images if used correctly. However it’s still a novelty item that I don’t see myself ever shooting an entire roll of film with it. There are way too many restrictions to get a proper 3D image and your lens choices are down to a handful, unless you have a 52mm to 49mm step-down ring. I purchased this set back in 2011 and finally just got around to using it earlier this month, that’s how useful I find it. Even though I shoot slide film all the time, it will probably be another 10 years till I use the stereo set again…


Price:
I purchased the set online and it came in the original box will the manual. It’s in LN condition and I paid $159.95 USD back in March, 2011.


Sample shot taken with the K Series Adaptor Set. Photo is a medium resolution scan from the original slide. The shot was taken in Vancouver, using my K55/1.8 lens & a Skylight filter.

Camera: KX Film: Kodak Ektachrome 100 ISO: 100
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2017
Location: Medellín
Posts: 1,322

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 31, 2019 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Light, small.
Cons: No adjustments.

Mine came with box, papers and slide viewer. Works well, but other adapters like the Stitz are bigger (greater viewing angle), adjust to your field of view with a helicoid and overlapping with blinds. OTOH it's smaller and lighter.
Setting the precise horizontal angle is hard and otherwise the 3D effect won't work well.
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2013
Posts: 24

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 4, 2014 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: High quality, works well, simple optics make it work.
Cons: price

The system works very well. The mirrors are of very high quality as is the slide viewer.

The adapter screws onto the front of a 50mm lens. (you cannot fudge the size by very much. the 40mm pancake will give sub par results although the 55mm doesn't seem to be a problem) and you aim, adjust the adapter which swivels on the front of the lens so you can synch the two images, then set everything else as normal.

Exposure is calculated the same as not having the adapter on. The best aperture to use to maximize the 3D effect is around f8 to f11 as the instruction says. The effect is more exaggerated the closer you are to the subjects, I have however found that the 3D effect works well as long as there is sufficient distance between the objects in the image.

Because the adapter splits the image in half, the final 3D image is viewed in portrait orientation. So that is one adjustment that needs to be made during the composition.

Slides that are produced are then used in the slide adapter. The eye pieces on the adapter have a small amount of adjustment in and outward to accommodate different eye distances. This works for most people, although I have come across a few that just couldn't focus the images no matter what they did.

In the digital world, you can scan the negatives or slides for use in various 3D viewing methods. With digital SLR cameras, the adapter works well with 50mm equivalent lenses. (35mm for most Pentaxes)

You can then post process for various viewing methods (ie. cross-eyed: swapping the left and right images, or printing for a viewer like the Pentax D viewer) Also, images can be used in various iPhone viewers like the Hasbro My3D viewer.

Its a nice toy. And despite the high tech 3D methods involving iPhones and HDTV's, a 3D chrome is a pretty awesome thing to look at.
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