Some Soft Focus Lens Sales Information

[cyberjunkie]

Pinkham & Smith Visual Quality No.2b Series IV
2850 USD
Ebay item number: 251084121849

the sale looked legit to me
never seen the same pictures around
if i am right, the price is not stratospheric; i have seen lenses with less "aura", and less usable, go for much more

[cowanw]

re a 2b, I was reminded of this
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...hlight=pinkham

[Steven Tribe]

French listed e**y, Dallmeyer 3B post 1909, front turn soft adjustment. Standard condition. £1100.

[cyberjunkie]

Verito 14.5" f/4
non-original flange
532 USD
Ebay item number: 150839978072

[Steven Tribe]

And an unusual Dallmeyer 3D - 251091088817 - 210USD.
Unusual, as the double rear cell was not present. Obviously a number of present 3D owners need a new front achromat or cleaner barrel!

[Jim Galli]

Arguably not soft focus, but a lens that none-the-less raised my heart beat quite a bit. Voigtlander Portrait Anastigmat.

Cooke Linse, H. D. Taylors Patent. 48CM and pristine condition in a nice original looking case with the Voigtlander cap with pull knob. $860. I almost called my mom to see if I could get a cash flow loan so I could bid, then in the end, sat on my hands. imesho, $860 for that lens was smashing.

[Mark Sawyer]

Arguably not soft focus, but a lens that none-the-less raised my heart beat quite a bit. Voigtlander Portrait Anastigmat.

Cooke Linse, H. D. Taylors Patent. 48CM and pristine condition in a nice original looking case with the Voigtlander cap with pull knob. $860. I almost called my mom to see if I could get a cash flow loan so I could bid, then in the end, sat on my hands. imesho, $860 for that lens was smashing.

I had mixed feelings about that one... Voigtlander is nice, and this one was rather rare on top of that, but if you're going to get a Cooke Portrait Lens, wouldn't you really rather have a Cooke Portrait Lens?

[Steven Tribe]

I agree with your comments, Mark.
Cooke never made a series II lens quite this big - although coming quite close (16" and 18", eventually). Voigtländer made an even bigger 60cm version - at least, had it in their catalogues until the Heliar arrived.
Strange thing is that the Heliar focal lengths are completely identical to focal lengths on the Voigtländer "Cooke II" series - well, not a surprise really.

[Jim Galli]

I had mixed feelings about that one... Voigtlander is nice, and this one was rather rare on top of that, but if you're going to get a Cooke Portrait Lens, wouldn't you really rather have a Cooke Portrait Lens?

I think it was the 'collector' in me flaring up. Yes, I have 18" Cooke and 19" Heliar, so did I need it? A silly argument, but it was SO pretty, and unusual. And the flange was missing. Anybody here get it?

[goamules]

I tried to get it. I liked the old fashioned lenscap and the leather case too. But having another lens without a flange kept me from going too high.