Here is a camera just as we like them! A concentration of efficiency, a bit of a "gadget" feel with its dials everywhere, but ultimately a camera that is simpler to use than one might think at first glance.

It is based on the "realist" concept from the White company (images of 24 x 23 mm), with a significant difference: the spacing between the lenses is 65 mm compared to 70 mm on the Stereo Realist, probably aiming for a more... realistic depth. It's worth noting that the average distance between human eyes is 63 to 65 mm.

As 65 mm corresponds to 14 perforations on 135 film, with each image being 5 perforations wide, and considering the need to interleave left and right views without losing film, a challenging problem arises! I collect the copies in fifteen minutes...

In fact, the film path is artificially lengthened using an "S"-shaped path passing under the drive roller. This results in 15 perforations between each set of 3 views, compatible with the Realist format. Those of you who haven't figured out the answer will have extra work for the holidays...

The two large knurled dials, clearly visible on the top and giving the Stereo Vivid a very "modern" look, allow for aperture and shutter speed adjustments. Both are coupled to the "Expo-Sure" system, a kind of exposure calculator based on atmospheric conditions and even the season! It provides a pair of values that can be adapted to high or low light, or the average of the two. The same calculator is used for flash photography.

The focus is adjusted by the (yet another) dial on the front, on the right side, controlling the movement of the film plane rather than the lenses as we are accustomed to. Most Stereo Realist cameras have this feature, which will be seen much later (1996) on the ingenious Contax AX, autofocus with any lens, even in M42 screw mount! Since this dial is transparent, one can read the depth of field limits with the help of movable red arrows located below and also coupled to the aperture value.

A single viewfinder combines framing and coupled rangefinder, and a tiny bubble level, under the secondary image of the rangefinder, indicates whether the horizon will be level.

The last peculiarity: the shutter release is horizontally placed on the front, supposed to guarantee more stability but rather disconcerting.