General Electric GL-426 7-to-1 Projector Lens Light Valve 130mm GE

General Electric GL-426 7-to-1 Projector Lens Light Valve 130mm GE

The General Electric GL-426 is a large-format 7-to-1 ratio projector lens, also referred to as a light valve lens, with a 130mm large-end diameter. Manufactured in Japan and produced at GE's Electronics Park facility in Syracuse, New York, this is a substantial optical assembly in a black anodized cylindrical barrel. The listing originally referenced model numbers GL-043 and GL-123; the label on this unit reads GL-426. Buyers should verify the correct model number against their projector system before purchasing.

Specifications & What's Included

• Model: GL-426 (label on unit; also listed as GL-043 / GL-123)
• Manufacturer: General Electric — Electronics Park, Syracuse, NY
• Lens type: 7-to-1 ratio projector lens / light valve
• Large end diameter: 130mm
• Barrel: Black anodized aluminum cylindrical housing
• Front element: Large multi-coated glass with purple anti-reflection coating (visible in photos)
• Made in Japan
• Includes: Both front and rear lens caps

Applications

7-to-1 ratio lenses of this type were used in large-format GE light valve projectors, a category of high-brightness projection systems developed by General Electric primarily from the 1960s through the 1980s for theater, auditorium, planetarium, and large-venue display use. Light valve projectors used an oil-film or similar optical modulation element (the "light valve") rather than a conventional film gate or CRT, and required precision large-aperture lenses like this GL-426 to project bright, high-resolution images at significant throw distances. The 7-to-1 focal ratio indicates the lens was designed for a specific throw distance-to-screen-width relationship. These lenses are now primarily sought by collectors, restorers, and operators maintaining legacy GE light valve projection systems.