Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    119

    B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

    Greetings,

    I just acquired a B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb "6-1/2 x 8-1/2" size barrel lens. It is of the old style, with brass finish and the manufacturer's name engraved on the aperture ring.

    It is apparently the No. 8 size of the Tessar IIb, which in the 1906 B&L catalog is in fact "rated" to cover a 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" plate wide open. By 1920, the same size of this same model lens (with the same parameters) was rated to cover an 8" x 10" plate, larger yet at smaller apertures. (Marketing engineering!) This is discussed here in this thread:

    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=23243

    The lens has serial number 1052620. Can anyone relate this to the date of manufacture of the lens?

    An interesting piece of trivia is that engraved on the retaining ring of the reamost element is: "BACK." (period and all).

    Thanks.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,469

    Re: B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

    Because engraved "Zeiss," pre-1917 or so.

    The VM reports two B&L serial numbers 1,8xx,xxx from 1914, so pre-1914. The VM also remarks "by 1903, production was about 500,000."

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    119

    Re: B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

    Hi, Dan,

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fromm View Post
    Because engraved "Zeiss," pre-1917 or so
    Ah, so.

    The VM reports two B&L serial numbers 1,8xx,xxx from 1914, so pre-1914. The VM also remarks "by 1903, production was about 500,000."
    Well, I forgot to look in the VM!

    Thanks so much.

    Best regards,

    Doug

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    California
    Posts
    3,908

    Re: B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

    You will find the info you need on this link.

    http://home.sprynet.com/~stspring/Zeiss%20Ikon.html

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,469

    Re: B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Noel View Post
    You will find the info you need on this link.

    http://home.sprynet.com/~stspring/Zeiss%20Ikon.html
    Sorry, Jim, that link points to a Zeiss chronology. The lens in question was made by Bausch & Lomb, not CZJ. B&L had their own numbering scheme.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    119

    Re: B&L Zeiss Tessar IIb - date from serial number?

    Hi, Dan,

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fromm View Post
    Sorry, Jim, that link points to a Zeiss chronology. The lens in question was made by Bausch & Lomb, not CZJ. B&L had their own numbering scheme.
    Yes, I had stumbled on that site earlier, but found as you point out that it refers to actual Carl Zeiss Jena production.

    Jim: Thanks anyway.

    By the way, here is the lens mounted on Orange Crate, our mystery 8x10 studio camera:



    It has a gigantic Packard Ideal no. 5 shutter behnd it.

    The lens board is made from laminate flooring!

    Best regards,

    Doug

Similar Threads

  1. 7x17 lenses?
    By Daniel Grenier in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 102
    Last Post: 17-Sep-2022, 18:00
  2. B&L Tessar IIb "6-1/2 x 8-1/2" barrel lens
    By Doug Kerr in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 13-Feb-2007, 00:52
  3. Zeiss makes Large Format Lenses???
    By Sol Campbell in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 1-Jul-2006, 11:55
  4. Zeiss 21cm f4.5 Tessar Filter Threading?
    By Gordon Moat in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 16-Jun-2006, 16:08
  5. Date of manufacture and quality of Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 4.5/300
    By Gregory Popovitch in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 19-Apr-2004, 15:26

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
  •