The write-up of the Eho in Cameras of the 1930s (Compiled by Eugene H. Rifkind and the Delaware Photographic Collectors Association) opens with the statement that, “No truly advanced photographer can lay claim to have experienced all of the finer delights of photography until he has plunged into the technique of stereoscopic photography.” It credits Emil Hofert (Eho-Kamera-Fabrik) with building the standard fixed-focus non-folding box camera.

Produced by Eho-Altissa of Dresden, the Eho Stereo Box camera, one in a line of Eho box cameras, was “perhaps most remarkable . . . [it] could produce either standard 6×6 cm pictures or 6×13 cm Stereopictures” (http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/EHO_Box).

The camera was constructed of light sheet metal covered in black leatherette. Its two-part body could be uncoupled by releasing the locking sliders to accommodate film loading.

McKeown’s (1997/1998) reports that the camera took either 5 stereo pairs, 6×13 cm per pair, or 10 single 6×6 cm exposures on 120 film. From the camera manual, a lever is pulled out to cover one lens for single image mode. Keeping track of advancing film for stereo requires alternating between two exposure number red windows. The manual is available at Butkus. A key winds the film. Both lenses are f11 Eho-Duplars; a metal slider accesses a smaller aperture to provide f22.

Some time after reviewing the Eho Stereo Box camera, the Delaware Valley Collectors Association looked at the Eho Altiflex Dual Lens camera (Cameras of the 1930s). “We have the dual-lens Eho Altiflex from the same manufacturer but, far from it, this model does not use two lenses to make two pictures for stereoscopic viewing. Instead, its two lenses permit image viewing and picture making simultaneously, the Altiflex being a box-type dual-lens reflex.”

There were four different models of the Altiflex produced from 1937 to 1949: the original Altiflex, the Altiflex Trojan, the Altiflex I, and Altiflex II.

A roll of standard 8 exposure 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch film could produce 12 negatives size 2 3/16 x 2 3/16. “As with all such reflex cameras, the upper lens is for viewing and focusing full picture-size image on the top-mounted ground glass screen, while the lower lens [sic, has a] shutter for picture making.” Instead of having the front panel move forward for focusing, the front elements rotate and link to a single focusing lever that ranges from infinity to three feet.

Camera-wiki states that the Altiflex Trojan was “hardly a model in its own right,” noting that McKeown’s listed it as identical to the original (http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Altiflex). Camera-wiki speculated that a special nameplate may have been put on for particular customers.

The Altiflex I, introduced the same year as the original (1937), came with a greater variety of lenses in an un-named shutter. The red window with sliding cover was moved to the back of the camera.

Launched in 1938, the Altiflex II had “a ‘sports’ frame-finder built into the hood, as on many TLR cameras . . . . also a double-exposure prevention mechanism.” The plastic advance knob was replaced with a metal version.

The 1997-1998 McKeown’s lists and shows one model, probably the original Altiflex; there is no mention of subsequent models (McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique & Classic Cameras). It was valued at the time from $60 to $100.