What is this thing?

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Some sort of strange lens assembly I found at a Goodwill many years ago (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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It has 4 lenses in total, two at each end. The only text on it is the number 50, stamped into the bottom of the ring that goes around the outside to attach it to whatever it goes with

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

Camera or projector lens, probably of petzval type.

Edit: the lack of an iris or slot for waterhouse stops makes me think projector lens.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

My first thought, too. Its almost identical to the image from wikipedia's article on petzval lenses, even.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

If you look at the photo of a magic lantern here https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/christmas-magic-lantern-slides/

The front lens cap is very similar.