Ross/Zeiss Convertible Anastigmat Info

**Craig Tuffin** · 4-Jan-2014, 01:05

I was wondering if anyone can tell me more about this lens. Particularly if it's a good landscape performer in different combinations or as cells used individually. I'm looking to use it for 4x5 and half plate.

It's a Ross Zeiss Convertible Anastigmat with combinations of 8.5" f7 - f64, 14" f12.5 - f64 & 16.5" f12.5 - f64. I understand from the VM that Ross went into business with Zeiss in the 1890's.

The serial no. is 10121

Any info is much appreciated!

**Steven Tribe** · 4-Jan-2014, 01:48

This is Zeiss Protar series VII a, made up of two different Series VII cells, giving 3 focal lengths.
This is the kind of combination that all amateur photographers lusted after at the turn of the Century. Cameras are still found with the progression of lenses mounted on lens boards as part of the set - first the landscape meniscus, then the RR and the WAR and finally this one.
Ross made a later version, without mention of the Zeiss origin.

**Craig Tuffin** · 4-Jan-2014, 01:59

Thanks Steven! As usual you're a wealth of information!

**Steven Tribe** · 4-Jan-2014, 03:00

Lens VM is very good for Ross's flirt with Zeiss and Goerz in the 1890's. I used to have a system of buying lots of these types (if the price was right, of course) just to have a look at them, before passing them on!

Ross finished up with their own variant - the Combinable - of which a superb example was listed on e**y recently. 350960720088.
It deserved the price it got.

**E. von Hoegh** · 7-Jan-2014, 10:36

Originally Posted by Craig Tuffin

I was wondering if anyone can tell me more about this lens. Particularly if it's a good landscape performer in different combinations or as cells used individually. I'm looking to use it for 4x5 and half plate.

It's a Ross Zeiss Convertible Anastigmat with combinations of 8.5" f7 - f64, 14" f12.5 - f64 & 16.5" f12.5 - f64. I understand from the VM that Ross went into business with Zeiss in the 1890's.

The serial no. is 10121

Any info is much appreciated!

I had the same lens made by Zeiss. It's a very nice lens, has a bit of the Dagor smoothness and very little flare - I didn't think the results from individual components were particularly "enlargeable" - but they'd be perfecly "contactprintable" (I think the individual cells might cover 8x10)

Yours looks especially nice, no separation as is often seen in the Ziess versions.

**Andrew Plume** · 7-Jan-2014, 11:28

yes, separation is often seen in not only the Zeiss branded Ross lenses but also in the 'pure' Ross lenses too

andrew

**Andrew Plume** · 7-Jan-2014, 12:02

this lens should easily cover the two formats that you mentioned Craig

regards, andrew

**Craig Tuffin** · 8-Jan-2014, 02:36

Originally Posted by E. von Hoegh

I had the same lens made by Zeiss. It's a very nice lens, has a bit of the Dagor smoothness and very little flare - I didn't think the results from individual components were particularly "enlargeable" - but they'd be perfecly "contactprintable" (I think the individual cells might cover 8x10)

Yours looks especially nice, no separation as is often seen in the Ziess versions.

I was looking to use it for daguerreotypes so no enlargements necessary. The image looks great on the ground glass but I might end up selling it in favour of a faster lens.

Thanks for the info Andrew!