Dan Dozer
5-May-2006, 20:59
Just got a vintage lens off of "that site" for very cheap, but don't know anything about it. I was hoping that all you lens guru's out there might be able to give me some information on it. It is by the Manhatten Optical Co. of New York. The only thing that Vade Mecum has is that the company merged with Gundlach in 1902. The lens is incribed "Manhattan Rapid Rectilinear" and also indicates it as No. 6, is numbered 3877, and is a 10 x 12 lens. It has in internal iris between the two lenses that ranges from F4 - F256, and appears to have a focal distance of approximately 17" - 18". The lens size is approximately 3 1/2" in diameter x 4 1/2" long.
I assume that as a rapid rectilinear, it would be a general purpose lens that would work for landscape work (which is what I mainly do) as opposed to portrait work. Does anyone know what the "quality" level of a lens by Manhattan might be, and what expectations or limitations I may have with it's performance on my 8 x 10 camera? The lens is in extremely good condition with no scratches or imperfections in the glass other than a slight edge separation on the rear lens.
There is no date on the lens. I assume that since it does not also have the Gundlach name on it, it would be safe to assume that it would date prior to 1902. I am normally only doing contact printing from my 8 x 10 negatives.
Thanks,
I assume that as a rapid rectilinear, it would be a general purpose lens that would work for landscape work (which is what I mainly do) as opposed to portrait work. Does anyone know what the "quality" level of a lens by Manhattan might be, and what expectations or limitations I may have with it's performance on my 8 x 10 camera? The lens is in extremely good condition with no scratches or imperfections in the glass other than a slight edge separation on the rear lens.
There is no date on the lens. I assume that since it does not also have the Gundlach name on it, it would be safe to assume that it would date prior to 1902. I am normally only doing contact printing from my 8 x 10 negatives.
Thanks,