this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2025
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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@lemmy.world 26 points 5 months ago
[–] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 18 points 5 months ago

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

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 16 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 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.

[–] Warl0k3@lemmy.world 20 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

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

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 6 points 5 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.

[–] vk6flab@lemmy.radio 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

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

Edit: Autocorrect

[–] danekrae@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago (2 children)
[–] muntedcrocodile@lemm.ee 2 points 5 months ago

I assume they mean telescope

[–] vk6flab@lemmy.radio 1 points 5 months 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?