#scioptric - Twitter Hashtag

4 months ago

The Camera Obscura with the lens known as a #Scioptric ball within a newly coined field of #scioptricks, sold in London according to John Harris's ‘Lexicon Technicum’ (1704). It may also have been in mutual practise as a drawing tool for wide angle views of Panoramic scope. Because the lens could rotate smoothly within its mount, the user could sweep the horizon without repositioning the device, trace continuous Panoramic scenes, follow moving subjects or changing light and adjust the angle for #architectural or landscape drawing. This was a major improvement for artists, and surveyors. Scioptric balls often used paired lenses or carefully fitted single lenses to increase brightness and clarity. The spherical mount reduced stray light leakage and the adjustable angle allowed optimal alignment with the sun or scene. These improvements made the Camera Obscura more practical for field use.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. The Camera Obscura with the lens known as a #Scioptric ball within a newly coined field of #scioptricks, sold in London according to John Harris's ‘Lexicon Technicum’ (1704).

It may also have been in mutual practise as a drawing tool for wide angle views of Panoramic scope. Because the lens could rotate smoothly within its mount, the user could sweep the horizon without repositioning the device, trace continuous Panoramic scenes, follow moving subjects or changing light and adjust the angle for #architectural or landscape drawing.

This was a major improvement for artists, and surveyors. Scioptric balls often used paired lenses or carefully fitted single lenses to increase brightness and clarity.

The spherical mount reduced stray light leakage and the adjustable angle allowed optimal alignment with the sun or scene. These improvements made the Camera Obscura more practical for field use.

Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

4 months ago

1704 THE SCIOPTRIC BALL CAMERA JOHN HARRIS (1666-1719) Harris was the editor of 'Lexicon Technicum' (Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences). A writer of scientific books, Harris presented an improved Camera Obscura that contained a Scioptric ball in a wood mount that enabled a Panoramic view. This innovation was significant because he integrated the Scioptric ball—a swiveling, lens‑mounted wooden sphere allowing artists and scientists to rotate the optical axis freely and achieve true Panoramic viewing. This made the Camera Obscura far more flexible than earlier fixed‑lens versions and helped bridge the gap between static optical chambers and later Panoramic imaging technologies. This design was directly inspired by earlier 17th century optical experiments, especially those of Daniel Schwenter (of whom I have a series on), who first described the Scioptric ball in 1636.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. 1704
THE SCIOPTRIC BALL CAMERA
JOHN HARRIS (1666-1719)
Harris was the editor of 'Lexicon Technicum' (Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences). A writer of scientific books, Harris presented an improved Camera Obscura that contained a Scioptric ball in a wood mount that enabled a Panoramic view.

This innovation was significant because he integrated the Scioptric ball—a swiveling, lens‑mounted wooden sphere allowing artists and scientists to rotate the optical axis freely and achieve true Panoramic viewing.

This made the Camera Obscura far more flexible than earlier fixed‑lens versions and helped bridge the gap between static optical chambers and later Panoramic imaging technologies.

This design was directly inspired by earlier 17th century optical experiments, especially those of Daniel Schwenter (of whom I have a series on), who first described the Scioptric ball in 1636.

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Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

over 4 years ago

One of Scarlett's business cards (TL) from the year 1758. The upper left corner identifies a #scioptric ball lens (TR), second from the left manufactured and sold by Scarlett. The card also shows a #magiclantern (BL), #cameraobscura (BR), spectacles, and telescopic lenses.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. One of Scarlett's business cards (TL) from the year 1758. The upper left corner identifies a #scioptric ball lens (TR), second from the left manufactured and sold by Scarlett. The card also shows a #magiclantern (BL), #cameraobscura (BR), spectacles, and telescopic lenses. https://t.co/xFWUo3RkpD

Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

over 4 years ago

Scarlett had actually projected the street scene outside his shop into the store. Smith reported in his book regarding the use of a mirror to correct the image. Two pages from Smiths ‘A Complete System of Opticks' 1738, below.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. Scarlett had actually projected the street scene outside his shop into the store. Smith reported in his book regarding the use of a mirror to correct the image. Two pages from Smiths ‘A Complete System of Opticks' 1738, below. https://t.co/Ur7rMj0mLi

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Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

over 4 years ago

1704 JOHN HARRIS (1666-1719) Harris was the editor of 'Lexicon Technicum' (Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences) [l]. A writer of scientific books, Harris presented an improved ‘Camera Obscura’ that contained a #scioptric ball in a wood mount that enabled a #panoramic view (r).

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. 1704
JOHN HARRIS (1666-1719)
Harris was the editor of 'Lexicon Technicum' (Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences) [l]. A writer of scientific books, Harris presented an improved ‘Camera Obscura’ that contained a #scioptric ball in a wood mount that enabled a #panoramic view (r). https://t.co/r9qQEXZXyQ

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Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

over 4 years ago

Jefferson had visited Alexander Pope and learned of Pope's well-known poetic account of the #Scioptric Ball and how it could be turned into a Camera Obscura to deliver a ‘moving picture’ of the Thames River.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. Jefferson had visited Alexander Pope and learned of Pope's well-known poetic account of the #Scioptric Ball and how it could be turned into a Camera Obscura to deliver a ‘moving picture’ of the Thames River. https://t.co/Yg9XzoUUk1

Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

over 4 years ago

1786 THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826) In London in 1786, Jefferson purchased a scioptric ball, which could be attached to a window shutter to create a Camera Obscura in a darkened room. He may also have seen the giant Camera at the Greenwich Observatory on his way back to the US.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. 1786
THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826)
In London in 1786, Jefferson purchased a scioptric ball, which could be attached to a window shutter to create a Camera Obscura in a darkened room. He may also have seen the giant Camera at the Greenwich Observatory on his way back to the US. https://t.co/VjBW80FiyL

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Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

almost 5 years ago

#Zahn used the lantern for anatomical lectures, illustrated a large workshop ‘Camera Obscura’ for solar observations using the telescope and #scioptric ball, demonstrated the use of mirrors and lenses to erect the image, enlarge and focus it.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. #Zahn used the lantern for anatomical lectures, illustrated a large workshop ‘Camera Obscura’ for solar observations using the telescope and #scioptric ball, demonstrated the use of mirrors and lenses to erect the image, enlarge and focus it. https://t.co/Ka0tsduZ4q

Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

almost 5 years ago

1685 JOHANN ZAHN (1631-1707) This year, Zahn (l) published in Wurzburg 'Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus Sive Telescopium' (Zahn, J., Wurzburg, 1685-6). In this wondrous book (r), we find many descriptions and illustrations of both the ‘Camera Obscura’ and ‘Magic Lantern’.

RealPreCinema's tweet photo. 1685
JOHANN ZAHN (1631-1707)
This year, Zahn (l) published in Wurzburg 'Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus Sive Telescopium' (Zahn, J., Wurzburg, 1685-6). In this wondrous book (r), we find many descriptions and illustrations of both the ‘Camera Obscura’ and ‘Magic Lantern’. https://t.co/aUvAIiiBuq

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Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

about 5 years ago

#Zahn used the lantern for anatomical lectures, illustrated a large workshop ‘Camera Obscura’ for solar observations using the telescope and #scioptric ball, demonstrated the use of mirrors and lenses to erect the image, enlarge and focus it.

Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

about 5 years ago

1685 JOHANN ZAHN (1631-1707) This year, Zahn (l) published in Wurzburg 'Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus Sive Telescopium' (Zahn, J., Wurzburg, 1685-6). In this wondrous book (r), we find many descriptions and illustrations of both the ‘Camera Obscura’ and ‘Magic Lantern’.

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Pre Cinema History 📷🎞️🇨🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@RealPreCinema

about 5 years ago

1704 JOHN HARRIS (1666-1719) Harris was the editor of 'Lexicon Technicum' (Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences) [l]. A writer of scientific books, Harris presented an improved ‘Camera Obscura’ that contained a #scioptric ball in a wood mount that enabled a #panoramic view (r).

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