Equipment for hire

Equipment produced by "Dallmeyer".

Defunct UK optics maker

Dallmeyer made a range of lenses for tv cameras. The image shows a 'Super Six' 4"-inch f/1.9. To complicate matters, each brand of tv camera needed a dedicated lens mount. The one pictured is for a Pye Mk 3 camera. Note the four studs on the top of the mount. These were used to automatically or remotely adjust the iris when the 'taking' lens was positioned in front of the image tube. The two red marks on each side of the lens are a colour code to indicate, in this instance, 'Camera' One, (BBC Bristol OBs -MCR 12 circa 1955).

Lens manufacturer DALLMEYER produced two lengths of their fixed focus TELEOG telephoto lenses: 25 inches (f/5.6) and 40 inches (=1000mm-f/9.4). Possibly the largest tv camera lens of the time, the lens system was referred to as 'folded' because to reduce excessive length and weight, light was transmitted via an internal periscope arrangement. The optical part formed the front, with internal mirrors at the rear 'folding' the light to the image orthicon tube. The lens pictured (the lens shell was built by Cox, Hargreaves & Thomson Ltd) is the 40" inch version. The mount here takes the space of two lenses on the Pye Mk 3 camera turret. The front of the lens (with the dangling chain) is for a screw-on lens hood, (chained in case of 'accidents') increasing the length. These lenses were used to good effect on sports obs and the Coronation.

An example of a Dallmeyer DALMAC lens: 5"-inch f/3.5. This lens is dated 1951 and it fitted onto the turrent of a Marconi Mk II image orthicon monochrome tv camera. The 'sleeve' around the front of the barrel was a toothed ring, linked to an 'auto iris' servo motor. The rear attachment was a bayonet system.

Large and certainly not 'Lite'(sic), this 2kg Dallmeyer 'TELEVISION SUPER LITE' lens, 7"-inch f2.1 is dated 1948 and was used on the Pye Photicon camera range. The beautiful chromed barrel is as clear today as it was at manufacture. The only unknown is the turret mount which is certainly not that of a Pye Photicon camera. The mount is a very heavyweight bayonet type and looks to have been made as a special order. Any info will be gratefully received.

A Dallmeyer Super Six 3"-inch f/1.9 television camera lens. This fitted ('TV 88')the turret of a Marconi Mk III image orthicon monochrome tv camera. The lens is dated 1955.