Abstract:
The invention is an optical element, one version of which is useful for operating an automatic exposure control of a selfcontained camera coupled to a microscope without detracting from the brightness of the magnified image to be recorded on the camera''s film format. The article includes three reflecting surfaces arranged to extract a small part of the light emerging from the microscope''s eyepiece and direct it into the photodetector of the automatic exposure control. A lens refracts the light, after the third reflection, to improve the distribution of the light onto the camera''s photodetector. The article is suitable for manufacture as a homogeneous molding of transparent plastic.