New to me 6 Old Lenses

[Tin Can]

With maybe more to come. I am starting with biggest in size, why not

I wrote a bit about this one on old thread recently that was the same lens

They almost didn't survive, shipped in a box that was open when I got it today

#1 all dull brass all text below exactly as seen

"PORTRAIT LENS SERIES C.
8 x 10
Fowler & Slater
Cleveland, O."


I guess a triplet, 2 elements removable in rear, one front.

Working multi-blade iris in middle, no shutter
aperture scale 1.4, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

Heavy haze on all elements, I have not cleaned anything yet

9" tall, 4-1/2" OD top brass, 3-13/16 bottom OD

5 lbs 12 oz

5 hole removable flange

Any ideas as to type (RR?) age, maker etc

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49974191018_0247dda6e7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j93MV5)Portait Lens Series C (https://flic.kr/p/2j93MV5) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Two23]

Wow, that's a lens!


Kent in SD

[Mark Sawyer]

Marked in the Uniform Scale, it's an f/5 Petzval by Bausch & Lomb. Compare it to the Cephaloscope and Universal Portrait Series A. Lovely portrait lens!

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/burke-james-cephaloscope-16inch-soft-1821095869

[Tin Can]

Thanks Mark and Kent, this one is even worse, meaning better

Wollensak Vitax portrait lens #3 f3.8 no 4842V in Studio shutter and I am now putting it away until pics tomorrow

I have done a little searching and Mark you came up!

These were going to garbage and almost did with that open box

[Jim Noel]

The Vitax is as it says,a portrait lens, and with the Studio shutter, very useful. Wish I had it

[Mark Sawyer]

A #3 Vitax could be either an early 16-inch or a later 10-inch. Wollensak changed the numbering so the lens number would match the shutter number. Another fine Petzval lens! Glad you rescued them.

[goamules]

Both are going to be excellent portrait lenses. The F5 that Wollensak made (not yours, a B&L) would allow you to convert it to a soft focus/landscape lens. You should see if your B&L will do that too. You just take the front element out, and screw it in the back (removing the back element). You leave the front open, and keep using the iris.

These were the top studio lenses America made in the 1890s-1920s, and really the main two companies that made them this big. They will take plates as good as any Dallmeyer.

[Tin Can]

Yes, the B&L front lens does fit on back. Very interesting. Thank you.

Been studying this site (https://www.antiquecameras.net/softfocuslenses2.html) again to glean more. I have a couple SF on that page already.

2 Cooke and a Gundlach Achromatic Meniscus Lens No.6

All from the same source.

I now wonder what was missed and thrown out. It's all gone from the source.

Maybe a couple more little ones coming.

[goamules]

Probably some obscure ones like a Karl Struss Pictorial or a Pinkham and Smith.

[Andrew Plume]

Randy

The site that you mentioned is run by one, 'ccharrison' aka Don Colucci who posts on here and yes I've long wondered as to the paucity of brass lenses here in the
UK, I fear that too many were consigned to the waste tips

Enjoy what seems to be a new passion for you i.e. 'wet plate'

regards

Andrew

[Tin Can]

Thank you Andrew.

Yes, I follow Don Colucci even to FB where he answered a question!

Well this batch almost made the bin...

[Andrew Plume]

Thanks Randy, appreciated

my best

Andrew

[Tin Can]

Cleaned glass today on VITAX and B&L both are in great condition.

The VITAX also has a good working Studio # 3 shutter. I have never seen a working one! I had to go to Eddie Gunks video to learn how it works. The VITAX soft focus knob and element move smoothly.

The next one is smaller physically but labeled 11 X 14 Extra Rapid Symmetrical The Scientific Lens Co. in Betax 4

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49978028028_bf9a857dc8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9oswq)VITAX top (https://flic.kr/p/2j9oswq) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49978028183_c6662fc27e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9osz6)VITAX side (https://flic.kr/p/2j9osz6) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49978813277_58e1bf0d64_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9stXc)The Scientific Lens Co 11 X 14 Extra Rapid Symetrical in Betax 4 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9stXc) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

The Extra Rapid 11 X 14 also cleaned up well despite my shock when removing the shutter, the glass was coated in a very light oil and the shutter leaves had corrosion on that side

Yet both cleaned up easily. shutter works well on T, slow elsewhere. good enough

This seems an unwanted lens gauging by pricing, it is very short focus that seems like a magnifier

No flange, working aperture, nice patina, since I have a short focus 11 X 14 I will try it, one day

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980311456_78036430e6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9AaiS)Exrtra Rapid Oil (https://flic.kr/p/2j9AaiS) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49979757898_9c5313de44_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9xjKL)Extra Rapid Top (https://flic.kr/p/2j9xjKL) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49978813277_58e1bf0d64_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9stXc)The Scientific Lens Co 11 X 14 Extra Rapid Symetrical in Betax 4 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9stXc) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

# 4 of 6 lenses

This one is also odd, aperture was removed, 4 elements, one moving element, #2 from rear, with very hard for me to read with a magnifier, markings for the the movement. Seems to have 4 non indent positions with perhaps a '0' between. Barely read f4.5 and the rest doesn't matter much with no aperture

It came fairly clean, now in good condition

Crown Optical Company, Rochester, N.Y.
8 X 10 Crown Anastigmat Series 1 no serial #

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980645201_1516d13732_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9BSw6)Crown 8 X 10 top (https://flic.kr/p/2j9BSw6) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980645306_fa2ed81083_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9BSxU)Crown 8 X 10 side (https://flic.kr/p/2j9BSxU) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

# 5 of 6 lenses

This one is perhaps a Macro lens for Full Plate

Interestingly W. H. Walmsley & Co had a shop and lab on the same block as Central Camera does now. I think CC is now at their second location and began Biz just after this seller shutdown.

"The December, 1894 issue of The School Board Journal reported, The new firm of Walmsley, Fuller & Co., physical and chemical apparatus and supplies, has been formed at Chicago with salesrooms and laboratories at 132-36 Wabash Ave. W. H. Walmsley..."

from this page, where you may page down to find this lens in a Macro setup (http://microscopist.net/WalmsleyW.html)

This lens is small, cut for water-house stops, none with it, glass is good, very short focal length

R. & J. Beck

W. H. Walmsley & Co
Philadelphia
Sole American Agents
No 158 8-1/2 X 6-1/2 RECT 3
11-1/2- /N scratched on barrel
3"tall X 2.5" widest

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980833968_474002c642_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9CQCG)BECK Shutter (https://flic.kr/p/2j9CQCG) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49980833828_3de4db093a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9CQAh)BECK Side 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9CQAh) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49981615022_8a14310de1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9GQP9)BECK Side 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9GQP9) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49981614882_bc01709020_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9GQLJ)BECK Top (https://flic.kr/p/2j9GQLJ) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Mark Sawyer]

I doubt that 11x14 lens will cover 11x14 if it's "short focal length" is shorter than 16-18 inches. Especially with that shutter and adapter, which were added later, (I'd remove them and mount just the lens). It may have the wrong elements, based on the "short focal length". How short is it?

Crown Optical wasn't in business for very long, as the government took them over during WWI. Based on the f/4.5, it's almost certainly a Tessar.

The Beck looks to me to be just an ordinary Rapid Rectilinear. Any reason that you think it's a macro?

[Tin Can]

From my link, maybe it's an illumination magnifier of the flame

FL is under an inch

Everything Walmsley ever did was microscopic imaging
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49981966422_48416b7997_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9JDgL)Macro 6 (https://flic.kr/p/2j9JDgL) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Chauncey Walden]

I see it in the little ad for the Beck Autograph series as a Rapid Rectlinear for 6.5x8.5 and 11 I/2 inch would be about standard for a 6.5x8.5. Should be a nice RR.

[Mark Sawyer]

From my link, maybe it's an illumination magnifier of the flame

FL is under an inch

Everything Walmsley ever did was microscopic imaging.

Chauncey's right about the 11.5-inch focal length of the Beck lens being about right for whole plate. I still suspect it's just a normal RR sold by Walmsley.

Which lens has the 1-inch focal length? And is that the focal length or the back-focus?

[Tin Can]

The Beck has 1" back focus

Thanks guys, obviously I not an lens expert

I will try them all slowly with historic film. aka X-Ray


Chauncey's right about the 11.5-inch focal length of the Beck lens being about right for whole plate. I still suspect it's just a normal RR sold by Walmsley.

Which lens has the 1-inch focal length? And is that the focal length or the back-focus?

[Tin Can]

# 6 of 6 Last one for a while

This one is simple, it has no markings that I can find with a light and a magnifier. Zilch

It is 6" tall, Hood OD 3.5" 2 elements, cleaned up nicely, no flange

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49981817418_93896e4668_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9HSYJ)No DATA on lens side (https://flic.kr/p/2j9HSYJ) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49982596337_d97baab39d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j9MSwn)No Data Top (https://flic.kr/p/2j9MSwn) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

[Mark Sawyer]

If the Beck has a 1-inch back focus, there's something wrong with it, probably the wrong elements. It won't cover whole plate or even 4x5 like that. :(

But you have some real gems with the other lenses! :)

[Tin Can]

Just found this from 2015

Amedeus Photography

https://amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog/2015/7/deardorff-extra-rapid-portrait-4-lens

[Tin Can]

Flange back focus distance


The 1st lens I described in this thread, PORTRAIT LENS SERIES C. 8 x 10 Fowler & Slater Cleveland, aka https://amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog/2015/7/deardorff-extra-rapid-portrait-4-lens

Need an idea of rear flange to GG distance necessary at infinity, just to make sure I can get my standards close enough

I need to modify a camera to fit this monster, it is long and heavy needing a very sturdy front standard

My SC 11X14 Deardorff has limits, maybe my Levy copy camera is better suited