Can anyone ID this Galaxy Quest binocular part?

[rkpetersen]

I picked up these Galaxy Quest Thermian Binoculars from the recent Profiles In History auction. The lenses are supposed to telescope in and out, controlled by a toggle switch on the underside of the case, but were no longer functional when auctioned.

Replacing the battery got the right lens working perfectly. It telescopes in and out about 2", and the shutters in the center open and close. The left lens, however, remains nonfunctional. It has clearly failed and been repaired in the past. When power is supplied to it, the small motor turns but the gearing mechanism is damaged, possibly irreparably; certainly beyond my ability to repair, anyway.

So I'm trying to determine what device this lens mechanism was taken from. Perhaps a handheld camera of some type? Any information would be much appreciated!

 

[Taggart]

Oh My GOD, I am so envious and jealous that you found that, how much did you pay?
(As to your question, I regret to inform you that I have no idea...)

 

[Tommyfilth]

It definitely looks like a digital camera lens to me, I would say your clues would be
1. The size of the lens.
2. The exposed lens body that is already black, not painted black, although from looking back on the photo's I'm not so sure.
3. also there is no engraved words in the face. (again unless you can tell thet is has been filled in or filed down)
4. the inside most ring is thin and the next one out is fatter.
5. the center window is a wider aspect than most i have seen, just taking a look at Amazon most of them have a more "TV" aspect ratio than Wide screen. (see pic)

Tommy

 

[tim]

Definitely looks to be from a camera of some sort, though it could be from an older 35-mm handheld and not just a digital cam.

 

[rkpetersen]

3. also there is no engraved words in the face. (again unless you can tell thet is has been filled in or filed down)

Thanks for the thought, and you are exactly right - There was information printed on the innermost ring, which has been nearly completely filed away. The only word remaining that I can make out is 'Lens' (frustrating - I already know it's a lens). Even with magnification and bright light, the rest is just vague shadows. And the other one has been filed down even better; nothing at all readable there. Still a useful bit of info, though.

it could be from an older 35-mm handheld and not just a digital cam.

That's what I was thinking, as well. The piece is too large to be from a compact digital camera. Also, the groove along the back would fit a 35 mm film transport mechanism.

There are quite a few old non-SLR 35 mm cameras (most with optical zoom) on ebay that have somewhat similar looking lenses, although I haven't seen an exact match. Several companies, like Fuji and Minolta, had cameras with similar shutters. Short of talking to the original propmaker, it's probably going to take time and a bit of luck to find the right camera. :unsure

 

[Tommyfilth]

plus you're looking for an, at least, 11 year old camera.

Sven Fodale Sven Fodale couldn't hurt to try to contact him.

Tommy

 

[STARTREKTOS]

I just watched that movie again today. I would check at a thrift store. Go look at some of the ones they might have there to see if you see something that can single it down to one manufacturer. Good luck on your quest.

 

[Taggart]

I would do anything to have a prop like this in Any condition...
Were you able to repair it?

 

[rkpetersen]

Still looking. Not very aggressively, I have to admit.:unsure

 

[Wicked]

Still looking. Not very aggressively, I have to admit.:unsure

I would look at 7-10 year old Sony digital cameras. They love to tout those Carl Zeiss lenses, to the point that they'll often print it on the outer ring there. That's the only thing that springs to mind as a reason to actually print the word lens on the lens in a mass market camera.

 

[Taggart]

Well I hope you'll Find it, I'd love to see this in working condition.

 

[Taggart]

I wonder if you took the part to a camera shop, if they could fix it...

 

[Rebelscum]

I had a couple of film cameras repaired at a shop in Houston back in the day. I bet guys that used to do that, or maybe even still do it are around. They might recognize the assembly right off.

If in Dallas, I know right where I'd take it to check.

 

[Brucelee42]

I would think it would be a camera with high optical zoom, as much as those come out. Olympus made some like that, I don't think it is a canon.

You could always see if the red thingy lines up with the green thingy....I think you have the red thingy.....

Good luck!

 

[b26354]

It looks like it might be from a Canon elph 370z APS film camera. You should be able to pick one up from ebay for less than $20.

 

[rkpetersen]

It looks like it might be from a Canon elph 370z APS film camera.

:eek :eek :eek

OK, I'm trying not to get too excited here, because it's hard to know for sure until I have one in my hands, but man, I think you NAILED it! The aperture shape and size, the length and components of the zoom, the fact that it's a film camera, even the word 'Lens' on the ring, all match perfectly. And it's APS, a film size I'd never even heard of before now, but that matches the width of the film transport track on the prop piece.

How the heck did you do that?!? Not just that it's a Canon, or a Canon Elph, but pinning it right down to the correct model. Camera Wizard, I salute you! :thumbsup

Knowing what to look for, there are indeed plenty of them on ebay for cheap. I just bought one that supposedly works including the zoom. If it's the right component and if I can get the part out of the camera without damaging it, replacing the defective one in the prop will be an easy fix. I'm really digging the possibility of restoring this prop to full functionality!

Thanks again man. YOU ROCK!

 

[b26354]

How the heck did you do that?!? Not just that it's a Canon, or a Canon Elph, but pinning it right down to the correct model. Camera Wizard, I salute you!

years of practice googling for obscure prop parts :lol the era (pre 1999) narrowed it down quite a lot.

 

[Rebelscum]

years of practice googling for obscure prop parts :lol the era (pre 1999) narrowed it down quite a lot.

Fingers crossed here. Very nice detective work.

 

[Taggart]

Wow, now that's amazing- I hope you can get it fixed up.

And as the old saying goes, "Never give up, Never Surrender!"

 

[Hogosha]

Amazing detective work! Let us know ASAP!