binocular periscope (1 Viewer)

[ostling41]

Here is a photo of something I've long been interested in, a binocular periscope. It's not that I want to look over a wall, or the lip of a trench. I want to swing the arms outward, to increase the stereo separation far beyond what is provided in a porro binocular.

I've never had the chance to look through one of these, but I imagine the 3D effect would be spectacular when trained on objects beyond the limit of normal stereoscopic vision (about 100-200m). I'm thinking of making some, and have launched a thread on the topic here: http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=36601. One of the respondents (Evan) has suggested cannibalizing a porro binocular of its objectives and eyepieces, and incorporating a relay lens in the lengthened tubes.

Does anybody have knowledge of the optics inside the Zeiss, or other binocular periscopes?

 

[garymh]

Hi,
Look for Department of the Army Technical Manual 'TM9-1580 TO 38-1-1' (1953). This has strip down drawings and photographs of the BC Telescope M65 which is the american army version of this instrument.

 

[ostling41]

Hi,
Look for Department of the Army Technical Manual 'TM9-1580 TO 38-1-1' (1953).

Gary,

Found it on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=QU...=bc telescope m65&pg=PP7#v=onepage&q=&f=false.

The M65 is an amazingly complex instrument, far beyond anything I could fashion in my modest home shop. It incorporates reticules and filters, and is of a robustness which would render it impractical for amateur use.

The document appears to show the objectives located in the straight tubes, inboard of the prism which turns the view 90º to the "exit window." That is something which I would not have thought of.

Thanks for the reference, and the perspective it provides on my (perhaps overly-optimistic) plans.

 

[garymh]

You do not need to have a robust body with filters and reticules !!!!! At least the Technical Manual gives a rough idea of the basic optical arrangement needed. I have a manual for a Russian version somewhere - that should be a lot simpler. I will see if I can find it. I also have a German WWII one on my bench at the moment.......believe me, trying to collimate these things is a job and a half.

I think you are correct on the optical arrangement. It seems that the 'optical' objective is in the tube below the prism and that the exit lens is just a flat glass window.