Help identifying a lens

[Scott Davis]

206961

Any help identifying this lens would be much appreciated. What I do know about it is that it is a Taylor, Taylor and Hobson lens, focal length not yet determined, F4.5 maximum aperture, probably about 2 1/2 inches tall and a similar (maybe 3") in diameter. From my speculating based on aperture and serial #, it seems to be a Series II from about 1915, and a shorter focal length if it is a Series II because it lacks any soft focus control in either front or rear. It COULD be an Aviar, but it doesn't seem like it, as there's no War Department logos and the barrel is bright brass rather than black.

[Andrew Plume]

Scott, Hi

Doesn't look like an Aviar and afaik Aviar speeds started at f5.6

regards

Andrew

[pgk]

I assume that you've waded through the information here: https://cookeoptics.com/t/compendium.html

[Dan Fromm]

P-H Pont's chronology puts it between 1905 and 1910, closer to 1910. So not an Aviar, most probably a triplet.

Andrew, the VM says the Aviar was designed around 1916, mentions f/4.5 Aviar. Aviars were sold to the civilian market, I've had one such. You may have dropped a 14"/5.6 Air Ministry Aviar on your foot. I expect it would have made a lasting impression.

[Scott Davis]

I assume that you've waded through the information here: https://cookeoptics.com/t/compendium.html

I took a look - the most likely candidate is the Series II f4.5 10.5" version - serial number puts it around 1915, but it doesn't look like the examples I can find of that lens, and according to some sources I've read, it should have some kind of soft-focus adjustment mechanism on either the front or the rear, but this does not, that I can see.

[cowanw]

As it happens I have that exact lens serial number 22960
10.5 inch f 4.5.
Mine is painted black but with plenty of brass showing underneath. No soft focus either.
The beauty ring says Cooke Anastigmat Series ll.
Does yours have a written on beauty ring. Mine is small and hard to read but is black.
I presumed it was the 1908 version number 22.5 or the 1915 reflex camera version for the press graflex number 22.5.

[Scott Davis]

As it happens I have that exact lens serial number 22960
10.5 inch f 4.5.
Mine is painted black but with plenty of brass showing underneath. No soft focus either.
The beauty ring says Cooke Anastigmat Series ll.
Does yours have a written on beauty ring. Mine is small and hard to read but is black.
I presumed it was the 1908 version number 22.5 or the 1915 reflex camera version for the press graflex number 22.5.

At first glance at the photos (I haven't received it yet - won it in an online auction along with a ca. 1865 Voigtlander petzval, which was why I bid in the first place), I didn't think there was a beauty ring, but on closer examination, there is one that does say (what I can make out) "Cooke Anastigmat Lens" and "10" and "4.5" but it's hard to make out the rest. Interesting that yours is 3 different than mine in serial # (mine reads 22957).

[cowanw]

There likely will be Series ll f/4.5 Eq To CUS 10. 4 in
And yes it probably should read Eq FOCUS, but it is very clearly a T not an F.
And odd that one is painted and the other not

[Scott Davis]

There likely will be Series ll f/4.5 Eq To CUS 10. 4 in
And yes it probably should read Eq FOCUS, but it is very clearly a T not an F.
And odd that one is painted and the other not

I'm guessing that given the overall condition of mine, it WAS painted but it all wore off.

[cowanw]

I'm guessing that given the overall condition of mine, it WAS painted but it all wore off.

;)

[Scott Davis]

ok- I have the little bugger in my hot little hands. Sweet lens, and the glass is in better shape than I thought it would be from the auction photos. The aperture is stiff as grandma's knees, so I'll need to get it serviced. Anyone have recommendations of who would be good to send it off to? It's just in barrel, no shutter - I'll probably front-mount a Packard to it, so that's not a worry.