Description

REFLECTING OBJECTIVE AND CONDENSER, German, c. mid-20th century, the objective signed “Carl Zeiss, Jena, Spiegelobjecktiv, 40/0.65, 160/0.17, #014782,” the condenser “Carl Zeiss, Jena, Spiegelkondensor, 0.6, #209551.” Each is approximately 2″ (5 cm) tall, constructed of substantial plated metals, designed somewhat like a miniature Cassegrain telescope with one large concave mirror with central hole, and one small convex mirror with three-armed spider mount. In fact it is apparently the Schwarzschild system, developed in 1905. Condition seems excellent. One comes with a (non-original) case.

Unlike refracting optics, with glass and / or crystal elements, these reflecting optics offer chromatic correction over a wide spectral range from the deep ultra violet to the far infrared. Very expensive to produce, they offer possibilities unachievable with refracting lenses, and are an important step in the evolution of microscope optics.