Help Identifying Lens Purpose

Sherlock256

Sherlock256

Well-known member
I was given three lenses. I gladly accepted them. First, they were free and secondly they came in their own separate leather cases marked;

TELEBAR
Birns and Sawyer
HOLLYWOOD

Can anyone tell me what these lenses are for? They look like some type of achromat. Here is a photo clearly showing the markings on these lens/achromats?
Both the top and bottom are capped to protect the lens and unscrew.

A little help would be nice. Heck, even a good guess would be nice too.

1226537204.jpg

and
1226537921.jpg


Sherlock. :thumbup:
 
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Hopefully they weren't stolen. It is rare, although not unheard of for a company like Birns to sell something like this with their custom rental cases. We bought two of our ReflecMedia Chromaflexes from Birns & Sawyer and the cases and adapter rings are engraved with the Birns logo but that is because we bought them from their working rental stock.

If you are sure they were acquired through legitimate channels, yes, call them and they will definitely let you know exactly what they are. Talk to Steven Tobenkin, he is the GM and a good guy.

Dan
 
I am certain that the lens were obtained legitimately. I will certainly try and call them. One of the lenses bears a number engraved on the side. Maybe that will assist Steven Tobenkin in determining what they're for and where they came from. The person who gave them to me obtained them at a governement auction with some other items marked NASA (I'm guessing the space agency - but its just a guess). He's definitely no thief. I appreciate your feedback and I'll call B&S and ask for Steven.
 
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I called and was told to contact Peter Anway at Birns & Sawyer. He's been there 38 years and knows about these products. According to the rental department, they made lenses many, many, many years ago. I'll let you know what Peter says as soon as he replies to my email.
 
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My answer from Birns and Saywer after sending the phot above and asking what they were used for;

"Hi Dan,

These were used on various Omnitar lenses the were made in the 60s. Some were sold to NASA.

Thanks,
Pete"

I'm not sure if that answer really explains what they were for, but a little "googling" indicates that Omnitar lenses were used to document rocket launched and various space experiments.
 
yeah, Pete is da man, I bought all my gear from him and he gave me great prices :)... He's always very busy with custmer though, so it's hard to pin him down, that's probably why you got a short answer.
 
Deuceofspades said:
yeah, Pete is da man, I bought all my gear from him and he gave me great prices :)... He's always very busy with custmer though, so it's hard to pin him down, that's probably why you got a short answer.
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Very interesting lenses. Yes, I know Peter, I bought my PortaJib from him. He is a good guy. So they must be some sort of specialized film lenses. So what are you going to do with them?

Dan
 
Now what do I do with them?

Now what do I do with them?

What to do with them?...... Not sure. They sure are pretty to look at. The cases make them "art." Might put them on a shelf for decoration unless someone offers me some reasonable price for them. I'm not sure, but maybe a DIY adpater builder might be able to use them. Anyone interested feel free to PM me. :)

Thanks
Dan

puredrifting said:
Very interesting lenses. Yes, I know Peter, I bought my PortaJib from him. He is a good guy. So they must be some sort of specialized film lenses. So what are you going to do with them?

Dan
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