Hello everyone
I must say I know nothing about large format photography. I do have some vintage primes and came by a no-description antique lens (seller said 1800s) from regional Queensland solely because it looked cool (lots of glass and brass). My hunch was that it might have been from a large maritime telescope, but I've since discovered its a Dallmeyer 3B patent. And the engraved serial number matches up with the online lens books (March 1879)!
I didn't care to check if all parts were there at the time (bought on decorative value alone), but the dreamy photos I have seen from large format portrait lenses really make me want to try to use this!
More immediate concerns are that it seems to be missing the iris adjustment knob, the iris mechanism and the rear flange (visually comparing against pictures on the net) - but the front and rear element seem intact and undamaged. Are these missing parts easy to source or recreate to make it usable (3D print even)? Can it capture an image without these parts (wide open perhaps)?
Sorry for the basic questions around this but really have no background on this type of optics and possibilities/constraints.... should I give it a good clean to leave it on the mantle, or hope to pull an image?
regards
Satyan
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