Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    181

    (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    I have recently received a darlot lens that I am trying to identify.
    This is a typical late 1800's looking brass lens with a 3 inch body with a focusing rack and short hood. The only writing is "Darlot" "Paris" with "B.F. & Co" (no symbol).
    What I am finding confusing is the lens. The front is a cemented doublet with "Darlot Paris" written on the side of the glass. There is no rear lens. Instead there is a very short brass cone about 1/2 inch high with a wooden aperture.
    The front glass is 1 1/2 inches wide with a focal length of 11 inches.
    My guess is that this a Darlot landscape lens (?), but I have no real proof. I can't find it in the catalogue.
    Can anyone confirm the ID of the lens?
    Any ideas on its age?
    I am travelling so I cannot shoot with it for another week or two, but I'm very interested in its background.
    Thanks in advance!

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    181

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    Oh... I should have explicitly mentioned - there is no Waterhouse slot or wheel.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Stockton, California
    Posts
    928

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    An image of the lens would be sooooo helpful ...

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,251

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    But whilst we wait, one can only speculate:

    - that is is not (originally) a landscape lens. The ones sold from BF & Co had wheel stops.

    - that it could be a Petzval barrel with the front achromat/lens hood and lost rear lens set.

    - that it is a modified Projection lens - which, in Darlot's case, are almost identical to camera lenses - apart from the absence of aperture/Waterhouse stop. Gem petzvals were also without stops - but these were simple affairs without lens hoods.

    CCHarrison's website (antiquecameras.net) has a Catalogue from B.French from 1890(?) showing illustrations of the Darlot range.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    181

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    Hi, Apologies for being so slow to respond... Here are some pics...
    hopefully you can see, this seems like the original back - except no rear lens, jsuts the wood aperture!


    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 14257018366_c1f70cc710_b_d.jpg  

  6. #6
    Mark Sawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Stuck inside of Tucson with the Neverland Blues again...
    Posts
    6,269

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    Looks like a standard magic lantern lens missing the two rear elements, and someone added a couple of parts that don't belong. Perhaps in that configuration it worked okay as a projection lens, but that wooden aperture is in the worst place possible in the barrel for a camera lens.
    "I love my Verito lens, but I always have to sharpen everything in Photoshop..."

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    New Jersey, USA
    Posts
    419

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    This definitely looks like a darlot projection petzval missing its rear elements. Try using just the front (preferably out of the barrel) as a landscape meniscus. You will probably find that it will cover 8x10 with some interesting effects.

    I had a no name petzval in similar state. You can find some images with it on this thread.
    Dan

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    181

    Re: (Yet another) Darlot identification question

    Quote Originally Posted by Fotoguy20d View Post
    This definitely looks like a darlot projection petzval missing its rear elements. Try using just the front (preferably out of the barrel) as a landscape meniscus. You will probably find that it will cover 8x10 with some interesting effects.

    I had a no name petzval in similar state. You can find some images with it on this thread.
    Dan
    Thanks Dan! I will be trying the lens out this weekend.

Similar Threads

  1. Question on lenses - Boyer, Darlot, Goerz, Zeiss, Voigtlander
    By anton orlov in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 3-Jan-2013, 14:35
  2. Request for assistance with Darlot identification
    By cdholden in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 24-Feb-2010, 11:07
  3. Darlot petzval question
    By papageno in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 4-Jan-2009, 09:29
  4. Big Darlot question?
    By Jim Fitzgerald in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 27-Jun-2008, 17:28
  5. Cambo identification and refurb question
    By Paul Kierstead in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 19-Feb-2004, 02:24

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •