Who knows this petzval lens ?

[alex from holland]

Hi All,

i recently acquired this lens, but i don't know exactly what it is
Lenght without hood 22 cm 8.6 inch
diameter flange 18 cm 7 inch
diameter lens 12,5 cm 4.9 inch
Glass diameter 104 mm 4.1 inch
diameter sunhood 14,5 cm 5.7 inch
height sunhood 10 cm 4 inch

Focallenght is about 480 mm (19 inch) measured from the waterhouse slot
F-stof is about f5 or f6

Does anyone know this lens because it has no name on it ?

Thanks

Alex (from Holland)

http://upload.pbase.com/image/120173710/original.jpg

[Richard K.]

Maybe the information is on that CD that came with it? :D
Sorry! :rolleyes:
It does look interesting, though.

[Steven Tribe]

This is about the same specifications as the Dallmeyer 6D. You might want to study the structure of the rear lens group as they vary somewhat from maker to maker and might give someone (not me, though) a clue as to date and who may have composed this beauty.

[Jim Galli]

It bears every family resemblance including the knob on the cap to my Voigtlander Petzval's. I have several Voigtlanders with that knob and cap but all are leather covered wood and paper materials, not brass. All have that same knob though. Pretty lens.

[Emil Schildt]

it also looks somewhat to my big Kranz petzval lens...

[goamules]

To me, it's highly unusual for a lens of this size not to have any engraving. I know some of the french companies made "blank" lenses to be marked by resellers, such as EH Anthony (often Darlots). But did Voigt or Dallmeyer do this?

With the long hood, it looks older, perhaps circa 1860. The screw beside the slot makes it look like it's originally cut, which can date it. Can we see pictures of the focus knob and the rear? What does the knurling (coining) around the elements look like, without the hood?

Garrett

[alex from holland]

I will post some pictures tonight. work, work, work is calling

I can one thing already : it has no focus knob.

alex

[Wimpler]

Here is something similar:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=939852

But not it...

[alex from holland]

some new pictures of details

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120186405.jpg

Bottom :
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120186406.jpg

top
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120186408.jpg

lenshood
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120186409.jpg

[alex from holland]

one additional picture

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120186407.jpg

[goamules]

Well, some of it looks like a French make actually. Note the lack of coining around the base flare, where the flange fits flush against. Voigtlander Petzvals I've seen have coining. Dallmeyers are often smooth on their larger petzvals, but have a thinner squared part (the part that is coined in other makes). Most of their patent lenses have the sets of notches in the rear element, this one doesn't. Again, I don't think Dallmeyer and Voigtlander made unmarked lenses for restamping. Darlot did. Darlot's usually have a visible black section at the mouth, and then the hood screws into that. The black part is coined. But the way the rear element isn't flush, but has a slight lip, looks like other French lenses. It's really going to be hard to tell I fear.

You say no knob, do you mean it is missing, or is it a push/pull focus? If the former, was it a tangent, or radial drive? Did you check the glass lenses for any writing?

Garrett

[alex from holland]

Hi Garrett,

there is no focus knob and there was never one one it.
it's not not a push-pull or so. It's a fixed focus.
just checked all lenses and there is no wrinting on it (unfortunately)

it's a mystery lens ??

alex

[alex from holland]

garrett,

i just looked at some pictures on Google about darlot lenses.
You are right about the details. They look indeed very similar.
I was surprised how little photo´s i can find on the internet assuming that there are a lot of these lenses left over the world. Do you know a picture database of darlot lenses ?

alex

[jb7]

Not just Darlot, all of them...

I just bought a Voigtlander 6b-
at least it's a 6b from the focal length-
it doesn't mention any details on the barrel.

1862, from the serial number.

No info anywhere, not even here-
this site won't allow '6b' as a search term, which doesn't help...
and certainly no images...

btw, your lens doesn't look like mine at all...

[goamules]

garrett,

i just looked at some pictures on Google ...Do you know a picture database ...?

alex

No, unfortunately. You just have to hunt around. There is of course the Vade Mecum, which has a lot of good info and pictures I believe (I have the smaller version sans pics).

With it not having a focus, it now sounds later, disregarding what I said about the hood earlier. But what is that lip halfway up the barrel? It sure looks unusual with that.

That settles it then; It's the famous Objectif Mysterie, made between 1860 and 1900, and worth between $100 - $1000!

Garrett

[goamules]

JB7, try looking here:
http://www.antiquecameras.net/1890lenscatalogue.html

[jb7]

Thanks Goamules, hadn't seen that page before-

However, at 1890, not exactly covering the period of my lens, numbered in the 10,000's.

Gratified to note, however, that my lens has been specifically designed for use on Nervous Persons...

[alex from holland]

No, unfortunately. You just have to hunt around. There is of course the Vade Mecum, which has a lot of good info and pictures I believe (I have the smaller version sans pics).

With it not having a focus, it now sounds later, disregarding what I said about the hood earlier. But what is that lip halfway up the barrel? It sure looks unusual with that.

That settles it then; It's the famous Objectif Mysterie, made between 1860 and 1900, and worth between $100 - $1000!

Garrett

garrett,

the more i look at pictures on the internet, the more close it comes to a Darlot.
I also found a picture of a lenscap on a darlot and it looks almost the same.
it has the same profile as the lensholders. Only the wooden know is slightly different
The lip halfway are , as far i can see, two brass tubes slided together but fixed.
Normaly these tubes can be adjusted by a focuswheel.

some pictures from the internet :

lenshood which has exactly the same profile on top and at the edge ;
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120196040.jpg

same profile on the lensflange and curve
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120196045.jpg

again a darlot flange
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120196041.jpg

identical look (watch the lip "halfway" the lens
http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/120196042.jpg


alex

[CCHarrison]

Here is a close ( if not identical ) match;

http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/archive4/westlicht.auction/14305/0793_1_lg.jpg

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4495350

Dan

[eddie]

Here is a close ( if not identical ) match;

http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/archive4/westlicht.auction/14305/0793_1_lg.jpg

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4495350

Dan

i will bet that is the exact same lens and board.

i have a big lens that i found on a similar auction site....several years before i bought it.

it may be a darlot. it may be european. bottom line you could "sell" it as anything you want....no name to say other wise....:p

how does it shoot already? use film if you have too!

eddie

[alex from holland]

Here is a close ( if not identical ) match;

http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/archive4/westlicht.auction/14305/0793_1_lg.jpg

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4495350

Dan

Hi Dan,

As we e-mailed, it's the actual lens. it has the same marks all over.
now we just have to find the maker.....:D

alex

[eddie]

it may be a darlot. it may be european. bottom line you could "sell" it as anything you want....no name to say other wise....

how does it shoot already? use film if you have too!


now get to bed!

[alex from holland]

it may be a darlot. it may be european. bottom line you could "sell" it as anything you want....no name to say other wise....

how does it shoot already? use film if you have too!


now get to bed!

Hi Eddie,

i have no film.....;) but first collodion shoot will be next saterday. I will try to make a fitting "quick" lensbord and give this lens a try

alex