Very small Darlot Petzval lens

[Duyfam]

Hi, I just bought this lens from *bay, a miniature petzval lens.petz I would like to know if anybody can tell me about it. I don't know camera size of this lens, maybe 1/16 plate?. It's cover perfect on Panasonic GX 4/3 camera. What film and camera size are good together and such. I do some photos on Panasonic GX 4/3 camera, An y info would help. Thanks

[goamules]

That is super cool. You don't see many Petzvals smaller than about 4 inch/100 mm. What is the focal length?

[Duyfam]

Thank you! It's about 2" F/4 and here are some pictures:

[jesse]

I think this is for making wet plate inside the pendant.

[Steven Tribe]

I think this is for making wet plate inside the pendant.

Sorry, I think you are absolutely right. I (UK english speaking) always call hanging pendants with children's hair, photos of children (Even deceased!) or sweethearts, Lockets - so I didn't make the connection. Lockets were as important part of the Victorian scene as fob watches and there must have been enough demand for them to have a set-up smaller than the usual CdeV camera/lens combo.

[Steven Tribe]

Interesting.

Better photo of the engraving please!
No Waterhouse slot. Small Darlots are usually in plain barrels.
I would guess at a Salesman's sample or a toy magic lantern which requires focussing.

[CCHarrison]

yikes - just saw what you paid..... . great item....but wouldnt have expected it to fetch that much. I have a small one too, but not that small.

[goamules]

People pay $700 for Lomo junk that isn't even a Petzval. A real, tiny one is a treasure. I've been looking for a 50mm Petzval that covers full frame for....oh...forever. Less common than a Mammoth size even. People lost em...dropped them down the toilet, whatever. The closest I have is a 25mm Cine Petzval, but ie won't even cover micro43 very well, vignettes.

[Duyfam]

I've seen and put my hands on quite a lot of petzval lenses, but I was surprised to see a small lens with fine details of an analog watch. The size of photos from this camera is similar to that from gem camera. I wonder if it was made for photography, as it must be hard to focus with ground glass. I'm curious to see the camera to go with this lens. Btw some details of the lens: serial number is 21726, engraved on the inside of the lens cap and on rank & pinion.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I've seen and put my hands on quite a lot of petzval lenses, but I was surprised to see a small lens with fine details of an analog watch. The size of photos from this camera is similar to that from gem camera. I wonder if it was made for photography, as it must be hard to focus with ground glass. I'm curious to see the camera to go with this lens. Btw some details of the lens: serial number is 21726, engraved on the inside of the lens cap and on rank & pinion.

A real treasure - good find! Darlot made also comparable tiny achromat landscape lenses for stereo cams; also hard to find. (...and would be nice to build a camera for such a tiny lens)