Equipment for hire

"Lenses" equipment.

During the late 1940s, the US company ZOOMAR produced a range of zoom lenses suitable for Image Orthicon tv cameras. The 'Universal Zoomar' pictured (fitted to an RCA TK 10A camera) is mechanically operated and fully typical of the period. (The images are sourced from a GA-TV Ikegami HL 79A camera)

The TTH Varotal Mk 1 zoom lens was designed in the mid-1950s for use with Image Orthicon cameras, (Marconi Mk III, Pye Mk 3 etc.) The Varotal Mk 1 had an optical range of 4" to 20" inches and with an adapter, 8" to 40" inches at f/4.5. The zoom was mounted using a dedicated camera bolt-on front plate or sledge. Controls were by enclosed linked rods fitted to each side of the camera. The example pictured was owned originally in 1955 by Associated-Rediffusion at their Wembley studios. Initially, A-R only had this one zoom, which was shared between the studios and ob dept.

The TTH 'Studio Varotal' 2 appeared in the late 1950s and was designed for use with Image Orthicon cameras. It could also, with an adapter be used on Vidicon cameras. The zoom range was only 2.5" to 8" inches at f/4.5 and as the name suggests, this zoom was for use primarily in studios. The zoom was manipulated mechanically by using Bowden cables (sometimes with jerky backlash) attached to the pan head, or could be powered electrically by using a servo add-on unit. The basic mechanical unit with controls cost approx 800 UKP in 1960. The larger picture shows the lens fitted to a Pye Mk 3 camera.

The ORTAL range of TTH lenses were designed for 4.5" Image Orthicon cameras. All fixed-focus, a usual Ortal turret set of four would be 2"inch 3"inch 5"inch & 8"inch. The lens pictured in the larger image is a 5"inch f/4. Lenses were attached with a TV88/2 bracket and lock-mount. The lens had a rim iris cog connected to a dedicated iris motor mounted on the turret. These lenses were usually inscribed 'Taylor-Hobson' or later as 'Rank Taylor Hobson. Leicester'

Kodak adapted and provided their range of high-quality Ektar photographic lenses for use in post-war RCA 3"-inch I.O. tv cameras (TK10A etc). These now quite rare lenses, were specially fitted with turret screw mounts, and were fully colour-corrected (for infrared).

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).

The EPO Angenieux 10x35B servo-motor driven studio zoom lens was designed to fit turret image orthicon cameras. The lens had an optical range of 35-350mm at f/3.8. The controls consisted of a focus servo module and a zoom servo module with a 4-push button shot box. The main servo amplifier box was a separate unit attached to the side, usually of a Vinten Mk3 pan head. Cameras using this zoom included Marconi MkIII and IV, EMI 203, RCA TK 60 & Fernseh KOD

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.