A completely new and different principle of 'wireless' endoscope is described. The 'contact endoscope' consists of two parts, a rod which is the optical element and a light recovery jacket. This endoscope utilizes the surrounding light, either daylight or artificial light. It allows endoscopic photography and cinematography with a magnificant of nearly five. For urethrocystoscopy it represents a safe introductory rod (mandrel) introduced under visual control. It can be used in kidney surgery for finding stones in calyxes.