iris diaphragm

American  

noun

Optics, Photography.

1. a composite diaphragm with a central aperture readily adjustable for size, used to regulate the amount of light admitted to a lens or optical system.

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iris diaphragm British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: iris.  an adjustable diaphragm that regulates the amount of light entering an optical instrument, esp a camera. It usually consists of a number of thin metal leaves arranged so that they open out into an approximately circular aperture

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Etymology

Origin of iris diaphragm

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The shell subunits from adjacent protomers overlap like an iris diaphragm, forming large interfaces in both TcA states.

From Nature • Apr. 4, 2014

In 1887 Edward Bausch invented the iris diaphragm shutter which made the snapshot camera practical.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the lower power objectives the angular aperture is to be reduced by the iris diaphragm.

From Microscopes and Accessory Apparatus Catalogue No. 40 by Leitz, Ernst

The cylinder iris diaphragm comes into play when the condenser is swung out of position.

From Microscopes and Accessory Apparatus Catalogue No. 40 by Leitz, Ernst

The shutter leaves are formed of segments opening in star shape, giving even illumination over the entire plate the instant the exposure is started, and an iris diaphragm is supplied for stopping down.

From Kodaks and Kodak Supplies 1914 by Canadian Kodak Company