AFR Paris Anastigmat Symetrique 28cm f/6.8 Series A No. 12

[pgk]

I have just received this lens having bought it from, I assume a none photographic specialist (looking at the other items), via ebay. It has a low serial number of 157 and is in exceptionally good condition (as in: looks unused except for age related 'patina') and complete with its original flange, caps and correct round cardboard box (and probably cotton wool). According to the Lens Vade Mecum, which is sparse on AFR, it may be a Dagor type lens. It fully disassembles fairly easily and actually appears on first inspection to be two doublets although it could be triplets - its really quite difficult to tell. The diaphragm is stiff - simply age I guess - but works and my impression is of a well constructed lens, with the only noticeable flaw being an small but obvious machining flaw in one thread area.

I'm trying to figure out when it dates from and so far have found a stereo camera fitted with AFR lenses from 'W Watson & Sons' which would suggest pre-1908 (Ltd was added after 1908), and another by Clement & Gilmer who seem to have been in partnership from about 1890 to 1910. Assuming both cameras to have been fitted with their AFR lenses from new, around 1890-1908ish seems reasonable.

I also placed the lens on my largest camera - 12" x 8" and even wide open it fully covers this format rather to my surprise.

Does anyone have any further information on AFR and their lenses?

[Dan Fromm]

Checking contemporary French literature will be a lot of work, but can be done. The references in my Berthiot article include links to Bulletin de la Société Française de Photographie for the years you need and links to Fabre's Traité encyclopédique de photographie and his Aide-mémoire de photographie. If you read French and really want to know, have at it. If you don't read French, try anyway. The written French in those dusty old tomes is beautifully clear.

If you don't know where my Berthiot article is, there's a link in the list.

If you're not acquainted with the list, there's a link to it in the first post in this https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?138978-Where-to-look-for-information-on-LF-(mainly)-lenses discussion.

[pgk]

Thanks Dan. Unfortunately my French is poor and the link from your post just leaves me with a blank page.

[Dan Fromm]

Thanks Dan. Unfortunately my French is poor and the link from your post just leaves me with a blank page.

I just checked, the link works for me. It takes a while to deliver access to the document. Please try again.

[pgk]

Sadly, no, it won't load for me (here in the UK).

[Dan Fromm]

Thanks for trying and for the bad news. I'll try to figure out why it isn't working for you.

It hasn't changed, is still https://1drv.ms/b/s!AggQfcczvHGNkGG_P2z8Qiyc8Qo-

Which browser are you using? And would you please try cutting the link above and pasting it into your browser's search window?

That you can't get to it really bothers me. I put the thing up to be used, not to generate frustration.

[jaytral]

A.F.R. are mystery lenses.
I can remember when I found my first one maybe 15 years ago here in Paris, the owner told me A.F.R. was successor (or associates) of Roussel.
But I've never seen or read anything confirming it

(I really do like the "SINE SOLE NIHIL" engraved logo)

[cowanw]

That's cool! Maybe update it to "Sine Luce Nihil".