Lieberkühn Reflector 49mm lens diameter, f=20mm

Lens diameter = 49mm 

Focal length = 20mm

Outer diameter = 64mm

For macrophography that brings the subject a little bit closer to the lens than the previous 35mm focal length Lieberkühn.

The Lieberkühn reflector is a classic technique for full, even illumination of small subjects at close ranges-a fitting addition to any macrophotographer's toolbox. I have been working with 3D printing to rekindle the use of this technique for modern photographers and other imaging enthusiasts. Rather than relegate this seemingly anachronistic technique to the bin pile of the past, I aim to make it relevant to modern tools and imaging objectives, in every sense of the word. 

The Lieberkühn reflector, or speculum if you prefer the original Latin etymology, dates back at least to the inaugural days of microscopy. The likes of Robert Hooke, Anton van Leuwenhoek, and many of their contemporaries may have experimented with this technique or similar, although the devices take their namesake from the polymathic physician Johann Nathaniel Lieberkühn of a few years hence. 

You can be a part of this re-imagining of classical technology for the modern age. My experiments with Lieberkühn reflectors have yielded some pretty impressive results (http://thebilder.wordpress.com/category/project-lieberkuhn-reflectors/), but I don't own lenses of every standard diameter and I can't possibly think of every possibility to examine. Therefore I'll put each of my designs for Lieberkühns in my shop at cost: for "sale" for the price of Shapeways printing, until one or more successful prints have been made. I would welcome your feedback, which can be made at thebilder.wordpress.com or tweeted to @bilderstudios. 

Let us take advantage of the technological prowess of yesteryear ::and:: of today. The versatility of 3D printing combined with the elegant technology of the Lieberkühn from the past offers a  lot of flexibility. 

For the most recent design/development notes including full resolution photography, quantitative analyses, or to submit your questions/comments go to thebilder.wordpress.com.