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heritagefutures
23-Jan-2014, 07:56
I have in hand an

„Astra“ Aplanastigmaat F8 nº 2

a brass lens made by the 'Fabriek van Fotografische Producten, Amsterdam' in the Netherlands

Images of the lens and its construction can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157640054041015

I am wondering if anyone has seen other lenses by that manufacturer and has information on that company? All and any help and suggestions are very much welcome!

Dirk

[edit/add]
I have pulled together what I have been able to find so far in this sandbox (to eventually become an entry in camera-wiki (http://camera-wiki.org/wiki)):
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/User:Heritagefutures/WorkSpace6#Fabriek_van_Fotografische_Producten

Steven Tribe
23-Jan-2014, 09:13
Obviously they took a lot of trouble with the engraving. But their photographic production could have limited to dry plates, for instance!

What worries me is the high serial number - they couldn't have "made" this quantity of lenses without there being far more mention of their name in the literature. Some lesser makers/agents thought that high numbers give customer kudos! Aplan......... was a very popular french tradename at the time.

Believe it or not, I have used an A.L. Pipon, Aplanascope 18x24 this morning for the first time!

Perhaps Alex knows something?

heritagefutures
23-Jan-2014, 09:19
Hi Steven
Thanks for the comment… indeed, not totally clear what they were producing, as little information seems to be available on them.


and yes, I too think that the high serial number is purely fictitious. I am just not sure whether the whole lens is a a rebadged OEM product, or whether it is foreign glass in a Dutch-made housing...

And yes, Aplanastigmat / Aplanastigmatique was a name used, for example, by Hermagis. But when you take the lens apart, it does not look like the Hermagis / Darlot / Berthiot / Derogy and Mazo I have taken apart…


PS
As to Pipon, see here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157639012281574) ;-)

Steven Tribe
23-Jan-2014, 09:37
The front lens on my Pipon is mounted rather oddly from the back. There is an internal knurled ring which is almost flush with the back of the mount. I have discovered a flower/fern type balsam problem, whilst checking this out for you!

heritagefutures
23-Jan-2014, 10:02
Very nice Steven... yes that internal knurled ring which is almost flush with the back of the mount is like the way the Amsterdam lens is made (see here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/12093003256)).
This a rabbit hole worth chasing down...my Pipon is different (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157639012207504) as it's a wide angle constriction...and the Orthoscopique (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157637205734854) I have is in storage and inaccessible ...else I would check it's construction right now...

heritagefutures
23-Jan-2014, 10:06
I have discovered a flower/fern type balsam problem, whilst checking this out for you!
and sorry you ran into a flower/fern type balsam problem…the Amsterdam lens also suffers from that see here... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157640054040965/)

Steven Tribe
23-Jan-2014, 12:42
Balsam is a problem I enjoy! I redo about a dozen a year and while I enjoying the weather in Spain, an old Dallmeyer and Jamin are soaking in xylol back in cold Denmark!

I know that Pipon is usually registered as a lens maker - but I think this was bought-in lens to fit on a bought-in 18x24 camera. It has slight marks in the lacquer where someone has made a guide for the size of the engraving. That is, made after the lens was was fully lacquered. Perhaps from the same source as yours?

heritagefutures
23-Jan-2014, 14:00
WOW, so you redo the balsam.. hard to do?

Steven Tribe
23-Jan-2014, 15:38
No - plenty here under balsam (search).

evan clarke
23-Jan-2014, 16:17
So, Heritage, this lens is really messed up. I will be happy to help you dispose of it..Mail it to me and I will make sure it goes in the landfill...eventually..

heritagefutures
23-Jan-2014, 22:40
So, Heritage, this lens is really messed up. I will be happy to help you dispose of it..Mail it to me and I will make sure it goes in the landfill...eventually..

sure…. ;)

heritagefutures
31-Jan-2014, 07:18
What could be found has been pulled together here:
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Fabriek_van_Fotografische_Producten_Amsterdam

Any further info and other examples are much welcome