A rare find for the Stereo/Exakta Enthusiast and Collector

HYPONAR 35mm f4.0 - Hypo Stereo 3D lens by Seton Rochwite + Exakta VXIIa Camera

WHAT is THIS???

This (Hyponar) is an extremely rare stereo lens, made to attach on Exakta SLR cameras and allowing you to take macro stereo pictures.  This lens was designed by the inventor of the Stereo Realist camera, Seton Rochwite.  The rarity of this lens make it desirable to not only stereo shooters but also to collectors.  It is said that only 75 of these were made. 

Charles Piper in his Technical Page (Installment #53) talks about the Hyponar and its close relative the Kindar:

• KinDar and Hyponar are two vintages of the same device, a stereo close-up lens that fits the old Exakta VX, VX-IIa, VX-IIb, invented by Seton Rochwite of Stereo Realist fame.  The lens assembly replaces the regular camera lens and produces a geometrically correct stereo pair.  The Kindar/Hyponar is unique in that operates with a reflex camera so "what you see is what you get".

• The K/H has two 35mm lenses set 5/8" apart in a lens board which fits the outer ears of the Exakta flange.  The focus is fixed at 9".  Focusing at other distances is accomplished by placing a single large auxiliary lens in front of the K/H.  The Hyponar produced in 1969 by Rochwite has standard series VII threads.

• To attach the K/H to the Exakta first make sure that the mirror is up.  Always press the shutter release of the Exakta before attempting to install or remove the K/H from the body!  Depending on the subject distance one can attach the appropriate auxiliary lenses.  Most users fine focus by moving the camera toward or away from the subject while watching the image on the ground glass. For table tops the waist finder is best.  The pentaprism is better for portraits

Can I use it?

Sure you can!  You will take great half-frame macro stereo pictures (the lens divides the standard full frame into two stereo halves of 18x24mm dimensions.  The advantage of this configuration vs. the Macro Stereo Realist is that here you can see what you are taking a picture of, through the viewfinder.  Charles Piper in his Technical Page notes that he shoots live insects using a Hyponar attachment on an Exakta VX and two small strobes.  He could be using a Macro Realist but he preferred the Hyponar.

At the NSA Convention in Grand Rapids MI (2009), we were treated to a program with the best PSA stereo slides from the 1950s and 60s.  About 1 out of 3-4 pictures were taken with a Hyponar or Kindar and Exacta.  The same exactly outfit that you see here.

Why are you selling it?

This was commissioned to me to sell by someone who is has retired from stereo photography due to old age.

What is included here?

Hyponar lens

Exacta VXIIa camera (lens is attached to the camera but can be removed)

Several close up lenses (fit the Hyponar and is used to change the focus point)

Pop up viewfinder (see pictures)

A piece of photographic history yours to own! 

Please see my other auctions for similar items

I buy/sell/service 3d photography equipment - I sell on consignment

If you have any questions regarding this item, your purchase, or stereo photography in general, do not hesitate to contact me!

Combining Shipments:  If you want me to combine shipments, wait until all the auctions close or put all your items on your cart and then request an invoice.  I do not require immediate payment but if you pay for something, I have to ship within 24 hours. Please do not pay excessive postage and then ask for a refund (I will do it but will have to keep 10% which is what ebay charges me even on shipping).

Bid/buy with confidence: If you have a problem with your purchase, please let me know as soon as possible and I will try to make it right.  Please do not leave non-positive feedback (including neutral) or anything less than 5 star rating without contacting me first.  I will do my best to resolve any problems. I accept 30 day returns for all the items that I sell. I try to describe things accurately but I might make a mistake here and there. I always leave positive feedback.  

Who is DrT? 

• PhD in Materials Science from Northwester University (Metallurgist, retired)

• Photographer since 1984 (still use Minolta MD equipment)

• Stereo photographer since 1988 (Realist, RBT S1, Fuji, etc.)

• Ebay member since 1996, serving the stereo community since 1994.

• Founder & active member of the Ohio Stereo Photographic Society (near Cleveland OH USA)

• Active (since 1988) member of NSA (National Stereoscopic Association - I attend most conventions) 

• Member (since 1994) of PSA (Photographic Society of America), Master 1 PSA exhibitor in the 3D Division

• Active in stereo photography education, lectures, workshops, tutorials, editor of Stereogram

• Stereo Realist camera use and repair (I have written a book and have a web page)

• Stereo film mounting, I sell mounts and supplies here on ebay.

• Stereo slide viewers (have written books and service all of them, and sell supplies).

• Digital stereo photography with the Fuji, Panasonic 3D1, single and twin cameras

• Hyper/hypo stereo photography

• Panasonic 3D Lens, modified for stereo

• Twin Samsung NX1000 cameras for normal & hyper stereo

• Use of flash in stereo

• Stereo projection - film and digital

• Runner since 2000, ultra-runner since 2007, completed 100 mile races, running 20+ marathons & 50K races/year

I appreciate your business and I hope to see you back!