Lens Collection

Newtons Opticks with colour Spectrum
Opticks by the English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), published in 1704 with a colour spectrum produced by a prism projected across the title page

Eye anatomy, artwork
Eye anatomy, computer artwork. At the front of the eye is the cornea, a transparent coating. Behind this is the lens, which is partly covered by the iris

Descartes optics theory, 17th century
Descartes optics theory, artwork. This is the eye diagram from Descartes book Optics (1637). Three external points are shown depicted on the retina at the back of the eye

Camera lenses. Seen here (from left to right) are: a wide-angle fixed lens, a standard zoom lens (left), a wide-angle zoom lens (right) and a telephoto lens

Press photographer with hidden camera in his hat
A rather shifty looking press photographer cunningly conceals a camera behind his hat with the lens poking through a convenient hole. Date: 1914

Compound eye of a fly, SEM Z340 / 0698
Compound eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a compound eye from a fruit fly (Drosophila busckii). The eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

Royal Society endorsement of a lens-grinder, 1600s
Opticians advertisement illustrated with Archimedes at a telescope, London, 1694. Hand-colored woodcut of a 17th-century illustration

Hawaii, Woman Laying On The Beach In Remote Tropical Location

Advert for Stereoscopic Company, hand-held cameras 1894
Advert for the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, two latest hand-helded cameras: The New Binocular camera, hand camera takes moving objects instantaneously, no need for focussing

Amateur astronomy, computer artwork
Amateur astronomy. Computer artwork of a silhouetted amateur astronomer using a telescope to view the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a band of stars in the night sky that is a view of our own spiral

TV camera and cameraman. This TV camera is made by Sony

Family tree. Magnifying glass being held over a section of a family tree

Film camera. Leica R4 35mm film camera. This camera was produced by Leica in the 1980s

First World War Vimy Canadian Memorial, near Lens, Nord Pas de Calais, Nord-Picardiy, France, Europe

Kilauea Lighhouse located on Kilauea Point on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Kilauea Lighthouse located on Kilauea Point on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Eye surgery, conceptual artwork
Eye surgery. Conceptual artwork of a human eye with a windscreen wiper being used to produce clear vision. This represents the correction of conditions such as a cataract (cloudiness of the eyes lens)

Rosenhain optical microscope. The viewing lens (eyepiece, upper right), focusing wheel (lower right) and objective lens (centre) are seen

Magnifying glass. The glass lens is polished to an exact shape to produce a clear image. It magnifies the view of an object because the shape of the lens is convex

External anatomy of the human eye (with labels)

A family enjoying a magic lantern show
5311943 A family enjoying a magic lantern show; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a family enjoying a magic lantern show. The apparatus here differs little from that of Kircher in the 17th century)

A magnifying glass in a tube, simple microscope, and diminishing lens, 17th century
5311406 A magnifying glass in a tube, simple microscope, and diminishing lens, 17th century; Universal History Archive/UIG.

An engraving depicting a stereoscopic viewer with prismatic lenses, based on Brewster's design, 19th century
5311293 An engraving depicting a stereoscopic viewer with prismatic lenses, based on Brewster's design, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1863); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Anatomy of the human ear and eye, 1839 (lithograph)
FLO4684845 Anatomy of the human ear and eye, 1839 (lithograph); (add.info.: Anatomy of the human ear and eye. Lithograph from Lorenz Oken's Universal Natural History)

A man reading with the help of a magnifying glass
5311985 A man reading with the help of a magnifying glass; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a man reading with the help of a magnifying glass. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

An engraving depicting a Fresnel echelon or lighthouse lens from the front and side
5311287 An engraving depicting a Fresnel echelon or lighthouse lens from the front and side. At A is a plano-convex lens a foot in diameter surrounded by glass rings whose curvature is calculated so

Engraving depicting a double convex lens, showing refraction of light and the conjugate focus (b,a), 19th century
5309416 Engraving depicting a double convex lens, showing refraction of light and the conjugate focus (b,a), 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a double convex lens)

An audience enjoying a magic lantern show
5311937 An audience enjoying a magic lantern show; (add.info.: Engraving depicting an audience enjoying a magic lantern show)

The use of a compound microscope
5311938 The use of a compound microscope; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the use of a compound microscope. The lens attached to the microscope focuses light on to the microscope stage)

Sectional view of Sautter and Lemonnier's projector, fitted to French warships
5310267 Sectional view of Sautter and Lemonnier's projector, fitted to French warships; (add.info.: Sectional view of Sautter and Lemonnier's projector, fitted to French warships)

Shoot for the invitation for one-woman exhibition
The shoot for the cover photography for the fold-out invitation card to Nancy Sandys Walker's one-woman exhibition 'Feminine Eye View' at the Ilford Gallery, 106/7 High Holborn

A woman reads a book with a magnifying glass
3562083 A woman reads a book with a magnifying glass by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Trieste 1941 Photographer: Unidentified Author); Alinari Archives, Florence.

An engraving depicting a stereoscopic viewer with prismatic lenses, based on Brewster's design, 19th century
5311294 An engraving depicting a stereoscopic viewer with prismatic lenses, based on Brewster's design, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1863); Universal History Archive/UIG.

An engraving depicting a demonstration of how white light is broken down into the spectrum
5311269 An engraving depicting a demonstration of how white light is broken down into the spectrum and can be reconstructed into white light

An engraving depicting a lighthouse optics, showing the light source surrounded by eight Fresnel echelon or lighthouse
5311286 An engraving depicting a lighthouse optics, showing the light source surrounded by eight Fresnel echelon or lighthouse lenses

The Eddystone lighthouse, 1892 (engraving)
864294 The Eddystone lighthouse, 1892 (engraving); (add.info.: The Eddystone lighthouse built on the Stone 13 miles South-east of Polperro, Cornwall, England)

"The Science Record" (New York, 1874)
2603655 "The Science Record" (New York, 1874).; (add.info.: Aids to drawing: The field camera' Sketching with the aid of a portable tent - type camera obscura)

Freedom
Pawel Pacholec

USA, North Carolina, Buxton. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Galactic Core of the Milky Way

USA, North Carolina, Nags Head. Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Milky Way and Galactic Core

USA, North Carolina, Nags Head. Bodie Island Lighthouse

USA, North Carolina, Buxton. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in late afternoon sun

USA, North Carolina, Nags Head. Bodie Island Lighthouse

USA, North Carolina, Buxton. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in late afternoon sun

France, Brittany. Finisterre, Plouzane. Petit Minou Lighthouse

France, Brittany. Finisterre, Plouzane. Petit Minou Lighthouse

Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1864-1952, half length, facing front, adjusting lens... c1936
Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1864-1952, half length, facing front, adjusting lens of large tripod camera, in front of the Arts Club, 2017 Eye Street, Washington, D.C. c1936

Bull's Eye Lamp, c. 1939. Creator: Charlotte Winter
Bull's Eye Lamp, c. 1939

Cross section illustrations of human eyes with concave and concave lenses looking at green tree
Arrow Sign, Astigmatism, Biomedical Illustration, Concave, Convex, Cross Section, Direction, Directly Above, Eyesight, Focus, Green, Human Eye, Lens, Light, Long, Looking, No People, Part Of

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"Lens: Unveiling the World through Optics and Vision" Step into a world of wonder as we explore the captivating realm of lenses. From Sir Isaac Newton's groundbreaking work in his masterpiece "Opticks" to unraveling the mesmerizing color spectrum, lenses have been instrumental in our understanding of light. Delve into the intricate anatomy of the human eye, where lenses play a vital role in focusing incoming light onto our retinas. Witness how artists throughout history have skillfully depicted this remarkable feature, capturing its essence on canvas for eternity. Travel back to the 17th century and discover René Descartes' revolutionary optics theory that laid the foundation for modern lens technology. Marvel at camera lenses, which enable us to freeze moments in time with unparalleled clarity and precision. Take a closer look at nature's ingenious creation - the compound eye of a fly - magnified under an SEM Z340/0698 microscope. Appreciate its complexity and marvel at how it inspired advancements in lens design. Learn about The Royal Society's endorsement of skilled lens-grinders during the 1600s, recognizing their invaluable contributions to science and innovation. Explore Kilauea Lighthouse perched majestically on Kilauea Point, Hawaii – guiding ships safely with its powerful lens since 1913. Reflect upon history as you visit Vimy Canadian Memorial near Lens, Nord Pas de Calais – a poignant tribute honoring those who fought valiantly during World War I. Discover how cameras equipped with lenses captured these significant moments forever etched in our collective memory. Transport yourself to 1894 when hand-held stereoscopic cameras revolutionized photography; witness an advertisement from Stereoscopic Company showcasing their innovative products that brought images to life like never before. Witness firsthand how television cameras capture live events while skilled cameramen navigate every angle effortlessly. Celebrate your own roots by exploring your family tree through generations captured by various lenses throughout time. Finally, embrace the nostalgia of film cameras and their timeless charm.