jcoldslabs
21-Mar-2012, 03:21
I'm looking for information on the lens pictured below--date of manufacture, original purpose, potential as a portrait lens, etc. It is definitely a Petzval and not a triplet as some of these early B&L lenses are. The front glass diameter is 3 15/16" which, when divided into the 15" focal length, gives a maximum (and only) aperture of f/3.8. It weighs around seven pounds. Clearly a projection or magic lantern lens as there is no slot for stops. It seems to cover 8x10 just fine using the point-it-out-the-window-and-see-how-big-an-image-gets-projected-on-the-wall test, although I have not properly mounted it on a camera yet. Without a flange I'll need to mock something up. I'm hoping to use it on a Century 10A for portraits.
I've included close-ups of the focal length marking, the B&L logo and serial number. Instead of being mounted into an outer tube with the rack gears for focusing embedded in the barrel, there is a large metal ring where the flange would attach at the rear and a rack and pinion mechanism that sits proud of the barrel, if that makes any sense. I've done what research I can online and cannot find any other information on this. Jim Galli mentions a 15" B&L f/4 Petzval on his site, but there are no photos of the lens itself or other descriptive details.
Thanks,
Jonathan
http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/B%26L-Petzval-02-SMALL.jpg
http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/BL-15-In-Petzval-04.jpg
http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/BL-15-In-Petzval-05.jpg
I've included close-ups of the focal length marking, the B&L logo and serial number. Instead of being mounted into an outer tube with the rack gears for focusing embedded in the barrel, there is a large metal ring where the flange would attach at the rear and a rack and pinion mechanism that sits proud of the barrel, if that makes any sense. I've done what research I can online and cannot find any other information on this. Jim Galli mentions a 15" B&L f/4 Petzval on his site, but there are no photos of the lens itself or other descriptive details.
Thanks,
Jonathan
http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/B%26L-Petzval-02-SMALL.jpg
http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/BL-15-In-Petzval-04.jpg
http://www.kolstad.us/ebay/BL-15-In-Petzval-05.jpg