What is this thing?

[daniel_jansen]

<p><img src="https://photos-1.dropbox.com/i/o/m2shN65GabDeoeQI7UyxogiY8W9JmkmCV6mtrB9ap1U" alt="" /> <img src="https://photos-1.dropbox.com/i/o/VSLfB7alNRwojScu7SWCJGb5STUVb4vMMbAFGYA1AvM" alt="" /></p>

<p>Sorry about the crappy pictures. This thing appears to fit a hot shoe but when mounted on a camera the center contact does not always fit the center contact on all cameras, the shoe is too long. There is a lens in the open end that screws in and out for focus perhaps, but does not unscrew completely. behind the lens is what appears to be a jumbo LED. I cannot find any way to open it except for unscrewing the shoe base which reveals a single wire from the center pin into the device.</p>

 

[RobertChura]

<p> It appears to be invisible as well!</p>

[john_flores2]

<p>Picture's a little overexposed, but I think it's a widget. Or maybe a thingamabob.</p>

[daniel_jansen]

<p><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v65/jdhogg/temp/?action=view&current=Photo2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/jdhogg/temp/Photo2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /> </a> <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v65/jdhogg/temp/?action=view&current=Photo3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/jdhogg/temp/Photo3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /> </a><br>

Picky picky.</p>

[acedigital]

<p>Looks like a viewfinder for a camera that maybe doesnt have one?</p>

[daniel_jansen]

<p>Good guess considering that you can't see that the other end is closed. Found this in the shop where I work and nobody seemed to know where it came from or what it was. Today I found in the same vicinity, a quality control inspection certificate for a "DI illuminator" manufactured by Zenit. So it is probably an infrared light for cheapo night-vision. Can anyone think of a good use for this? super long range tv remote?</p>