this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2025
74 points (97.4% liked)

What is this thing?

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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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[–] Snailpope 25 points 1 week ago
[–] XeroxCool 18 points 1 week ago

I'd guess some kind of vintage microscope 50mm eyepiece. Maybe telescope

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week 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.

[–] Warl0k3 19 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

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

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week 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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Looks like a microscope or ~~telephone~~ telescope insert with adjustable eye correction.

Edit: Autocorrect

[–] danekrae 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

I assume they mean telescope

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Thank you, autocorrect to the rescue, again. Edited.

I wonder how many times autocorrect errors cause mayhem in communication compared with misspellings or mistyping?