View Full Version : New to me 6 Old Lenses
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
Wow, that's a lens!
Kent in SD
Mark Sawyer
5-Jun-2020, 14:07
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
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
5-Jun-2020, 14:25
The Vitax is as it says,a portrait lens, and with the Studio shutter, very useful. Wish I had it
Mark Sawyer
5-Jun-2020, 17:42
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
6-Jun-2020, 05:56
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.
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
6-Jun-2020, 09:08
Probably some obscure ones like a Karl Struss Pictorial or a Pinkham and Smith.
Andrew Plume
6-Jun-2020, 12:36
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
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
6-Jun-2020, 14:59
Thanks Randy, appreciated
my best
Andrew
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
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
# 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
# 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
7-Jun-2020, 11:31
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?
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
7-Jun-2020, 14:13
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
7-Jun-2020, 14:47
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?
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?
# 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
7-Jun-2020, 18:16
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
13-Jun-2020, 16:11
Just found this from 2015
Amedeus Photography
https://amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog/2015/7/deardorff-extra-rapid-portrait-4-lens
Tin Can
30-Aug-2020, 05:27
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
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