44
votes
Accepted
What is this physical filter, shaped like a shallow pyramid?
It looks like a multi-image, aka kaleidoscope filter - specifically a Cokin #201 - I can't tell whether it's an A or a P; they're the same but different sizes.
I can't find any reference to it any ...
- 23.4k
39
votes
Accepted
What is this dial on my old film camera for?
This is just a passive dial (that does not communicating anything to the camera mechanism), meant as a memorizing aid for the film type and speed inserted.
The degree values are DIN speed numbers.
C ...
- 7,252
22
votes
Accepted
What is this old 50mm f/1.9 lens?
Your lens is a Yashica ML 50mm f/1.9. The one pictured below is a more recent version of the same lens.
The mount is the CONTAX/Yashica mount. Yashica revived the Contax name over a decade after ...
- 176k
22
votes
What is this dial on my old film camera for?
This camera was mainly intended for use by amateur photographers who only occasionally used the camera. Film was loaded, some pictures taken, the camera was generally set-aside to be picked up latter ...
- 39.7k
17
votes
Accepted
Can anyone identify this Twin-Lens Reflex 1940(ish) camera?
It appears to be a Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex I (850/16).
Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex I (850/16), by Alf Sigaro. Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0
The key details that seem to match are:
rectangular silver trim around ...
- 33.3k
10
votes
Accepted
What is this old film and how do I handle it?
Roll film of this size and type is suppled on a spool. The film is wound on a spool and protected from light exposure by an opaque paper over-rap call a backing paper. The roll, film and backing is ...
- 39.7k
9
votes
Accepted
What is this weird BLUETECH camera?
It appears to be a generic/rebranded version of a DigiGR8 100k keychain camera/webcam. It also appears on ebay at a surprising prices considering the underwhelming performance of the camera.
A few ...
- 313
9
votes
What is this old Zeiss Tessar lens, with a large mount ring with six holes?
This is a "process" lens used to make copies on high contrast film for reproduction in newspapers, magazines, and books. The lens mounted on a square wood board with hole for the lens. The lens ...
- 39.7k
9
votes
What is this Mizar branded converter-like thing?
Resembles an adapter to mount a camera to a telescope such as a Celestron or a Meed 8". Also, I think it allows an eyepiece to be inserted for eyepiece projection.
- 39.7k
9
votes
Accepted
What is the crank on the side of this lens used by David Douglas Duncan?
The crank is for rotating the prisms in front of the lens. Prismatic lenses place prisms in the optical path of the lens. These provide a unique special effect. If you look at the front of the lens in ...
- 176k
7
votes
Accepted
Name of cleat-style tripod mounting head
The quick release plate that was originally supplied with your tripod is the Manfrotto 200LT-PL plate.
It's a variation of several slightly different plates made by Manfrotto that fit the RC2 (...
- 176k
6
votes
What mount system is this Hanimex zoom lens?
This lens was manufactured in the Canon FD (and new FD), Nikon F, Minolta M/MD, Pentax K, Fujika FX, CONTAX/Yashica (C/Y or Y/C), Konica AR, Olympus OM, and M42 mounts. Your lens is not any of those.
...
- 176k
6
votes
Accepted
What is this Optimar 2 Inch f/1.4 Infrared Industries lens?
This is a lens for a 16mm film projector. It has a 2 inch (51mm) focal length.
Compare it to similar Bell & Howell 16mm film projector lenses, such as this one for sale on eBay.
Assuming the ...
- 33.3k
6
votes
Accepted
What is the breech mount on this Hanimex lens?
Your lens likely has a Canon FD mount. The reasons are as follows:
It has a breech mount. Canon FL/FD lenses are among the most well-known breech-mount lenses.
The location of the linkages matches ...
- 27.1k
5
votes
Accepted
Does this "Imaging Bed" hardware exist and what is it called?
I think what you are looking for is a copy stand. (Link to B&H for illustrative purposes only.)
- 12.6k
5
votes
What is this Hermagis lens?
The imprint is probably 'HERMAGIS OPTn Bte S.G.D.G PARIS OBJECTIF CINEMA'
Hermagis OPTn (Opticien) was an optical manufacturer located in Paris during the second half of the 19th century or so.
'...
- 3,388
5
votes
Accepted
What is this breech mount with three flanges and a single linking pin?
It is likely a Canon FL mount. If you are looking for an adapter, it is compatible with the Canon FD mount using stop-down metering. See Evolution of the Canon FD Mount.
If you'd like, you can ...
- 27.1k
5
votes
What is this camera attachment
Based on the description, it is a flash bracket. A flash can be mounted in the cold shoe and connected to the camera using a sync cord.
One use is to allow the use of hot shoe mounted flashes on ...
- 4,966
4
votes
What is this Angenieux lens?
I have one of these lenses mounted on a Norelco PC-70 studio camera. I believe the plumbicon tubes were 30mm in diameter. The lens would not cover a full frame 35mm unless you were using a ...
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
What mount system is this Raynox lens?
This appears to be the Minolta MC/MD mount. The giveaway is the aperture actuation lug inside the bayonet mount, and the notch in one of the bayonet tabs opposite the aperture lug, at the upper-left ...
- 33.3k
4
votes
What kind of a stand setup is this?
This is a "tent" lighting setup. The idea is to place above the subject a diffuser. Lamps are aimed so as to evenly illuminate the diffuser. Such a successful lash-up delivers highly diffused light to ...
- 39.7k
4
votes
What is this 25-100mm lens with a 1 inch diameter mount?
This appears to be a C-mount lens, probably for video cameras, such as for 8mm or 16mm video. From the information given, there is no way to tell what the intended camera format was.
Based on the ...
- 33.3k
4
votes
Accepted
What is this wearable camera support from the 1970s or 1980s?
This appears to be a SLIK EZ HOLD chestpod.
Details online are very scarce, so I would presume the model has been discontinued, but the central column is very similar to the current line of SLIK ...
- 446
4
votes
What does a remote shutter release do and how do I use it?
As it name said this is something which help you remotely to "press" the shutter release. It can be mechanical (usually for old film cameras) or electric/electronic (for contemporary cameras).
What ...
- 12.5k
4
votes
Name of cleat-style tripod mounting head
The head is a 3D Compact, it takes a Manfrotto 200LT-PL plate. You can also use the 200PL plate, the newer 200LT-PL is a bit lighter and sturdier.
There are aftermarket equivalents.
- 22k
4
votes
Accepted
Tokina AT-X 120 Pro DX AF 11-20mm f/2.8 vs Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX
There the same lens with the name written differently. Most times this is a simple mistake when transcribing a name from the manufacturer. Lens names are complex and indeed look quite similar and ...
- 103k
3
votes
What is this Angenieux lens?
I have a similar Angenieux plumbicon zoom, the 15x18E (18-270mm). I removed the (unknown) camera mount and 3D printed one for Micro four thirds (but the lens just covers APSC too, so a NEX mount would ...
- 31
3
votes
What is the mount on Vivitar lens with MIR printed on mount side?
This is either a Vivitar T4 or TX series lens. T4 and TX lenses are interesting because they were designed to be mount-agnostic; that is, they have interchangeable mount adapters, so you could move ...
- 33.3k
3
votes
What is the mount on Vivitar lens with MIR printed on mount side?
I would venture to say that it's a Miranda Bayonet Mount.
I use visual references and measurements to positively determine a mount. I would advise that you do the same before investing in another ...
- 141
3
votes
Accepted
What is the breech mount on this Chinonflex lens?
I agree with Dave @HeritageCameras that this lens likely has a Canon FL mount. The reasons are as follows:
It has a breech mount. Canon FL/FD lenses are among the most well-known breech-mount lenses.
...
- 27.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible