Posts Tagged ‘radioactivity’

radioactive camera lens (thorium 232)

October 26, 2009 - 11:21 am 25 Comments

this lovely ancient super 8 camera contains a lens that was made partly out of the radioactive element thorium.

by adding thorium to the lens glass, a high refractive index could be achieved while maintaining a low dispersion. thus, radioactive camera lenses used to be state-of-the-art in high-demand photography.

Duration : 0:4:8

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large radioactive camera lens (thorium 232)

October 26, 2009 - 11:21 am 25 Comments

i scored this lovely old camera at a flea market. the lens partly consists of the radioactive element thorium.

by adding thorium to the lens glass, a high refractive index could be achieved while maintaining a low dispersion. thus, radioactive camera lenses used to be state-of-the-art in high-demand photography.

oh, and here’s a better picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bionerd/3887528914/

Duration : 0:2:57

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