LabGuy's World: 1955 Sylvania Vidicon Vacuum Tube Camera 1955 Sylvania Vidicon Vacuum Tube Camera .         Here is an old all vacuum tube video camera from the late 1950's or early 1960's. It has a lens turret. This was how they managed various focal length lenses before zoom lenses were common. While the studio switched to another camera, the operator would reach around and grab one of the posts between the lenses and give it a swift jerk. He would then rapidly try to refocus before the director switched back to his camera. What a nightmare!         NEEDED: Service and or operators' manuals for this camera. [HOME]......[MUSEUM OF EXTINCT VIDEO CAMERAS] Last updated: January 06, 2005