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Hello everyone,
recently I picked up a Dallmeyer 6A lens. Since there is no info about that lens in the internet, I want to share some pictures with you.
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What I know about this lens that is was sold in Dec. 1871 to Liesegang. Does anyone know the focal length? There are some varying info (22" or 30") around.
Cheers!
Well the "correct answer" is 30" and covers up to 20x16".
But you never can tell! This is obviously a special order as fixed mounts (as opposed to sleeves and tangential focussing) are very unusual this early in Dallmeyer' Patent Portrait production. Although the standard aperture is F4 for series A, there is a note in a later catalogue that the 6a has an aperture of F4.7. Dallmeyer could have made a version of the 6a in 6a brass with a reduced focal length to maintain the "rapid" tradition.
At first glance it does look like a forgery, but obviously the engraving looks different as it is not compressed as usual between the Waterhouse cut-out and the raised base. The usual semi-circular marks of the softness adjustment are clear in your second photo.
Thanks Steven! I measured the focal length and it is about 80cm, so 30" could be correct.
It can be that Liesegang bought a special order - as a potential concurence?! - maybe I can ask the if they still have some archived info about the lens!Quote:
This is obviously a special order as fixed mounts (as opposed to sleeves and tangential focussing) are very unusual this early in Dallmeyer' Patent Portrait production.
I wondered about the cleanliness of the brass, surely it was cleaned or kept in perfect condition through the years. That the lens can be found in the Dallmeyer archive speaks against a forgery... Hope so ;)Quote:
At first glance it does look like a forgery.
Do you mean the marks on the (in the picture) top of the lens? Do you know how that works to soften the picture?Quote:
The usual semi-circular marks of the softness adjustment are clear in your second photo.
where did you pick it up ?
the lens looks like a Dallmeyer lens, but engraving looks fake to me. in the Dallmeyer archive you can find the serial number, not the lens itself.
Got it from a friend who owned it for many years. He did some astronomic pictures with it and had it in his basement for years.
Several things look right, the notches at the rear element fixture. And the long threaded rear, which I've only seen on Dallmeyers, albeit their "D" series.
Some things may look wrong, like the wide threads for the flange (looks more like a TTH pitch) the hood, or engraving. But I'd bet it's real. Perhaps they had to get it engraved differently, because of it's size.
That looks just like my 5A, which is also from the 1870s. I don't think it is counterfeit. My 5A--which has been cross checked with the Dallmeyer archives--has those same wide threads, ribbed rear barrel, and the same shaped hood. I don't recall what the engraving looks like, but will take a look this evening.
In theory, you (and we) can check the Dallmeyer stock book pages under its serial number and patent portrait list for size 6 in the A series. There won't be many. I couldn't open the right pages this morning, but the previous list (chronologically) has just 4 examples of size 6. With Mr. Longstaff as main maker and who probably made yours as well!
btw - the long threaded rear is also found on Dallmeyer-Bergheim lenses. i've never seen it on a lens of other brand than Dallmeyer.
engraving fake or not, a 30" Petzval is a good find, congratulations. i hope it will get used to make some pictures.
Thanks for your opinions and assessments.
Does anyone have a picture of a 6A? I would love to compare the lenses ;)
Despite of all what is right or wrong with that lens, I think it has an interesting story to tell. And for sure, it will be used for wet plates. And: I don't sell the lens, please don't write messages.
The next big step is to find or build a camera for this baby ;)
hm. the only picture of a 6A i could find is this - http://www.gothard.hu/gttak/archive-...images/016.jpg (main page is http://www.gothard.hu/gttak/archive-.../astrocams.php - listed is some scarce info and the year 1918)
unfortunately the picture is of very bad quality so the engraving can not be seen well. otherwise the lens looks exactly like yours and interestingly - it was also used for astro photography ! so your friend is not the only one who used a 6A for that purpose. i presume it was popular among astro photogs because of the big FL and fast speed.
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It's a later version of 5A with the swirl aperture.
What a coincidence that the only pic around is from an astro photographer. The lens really looks like mine, I like that! Perhaps the engraving on my lens was added after the sale by Liesegang. Once I saw a picture of Dallmeyer lens that has a Liesegang engraving beside Dallmeyer's. A modern picture would be helpful, but it is a rare lens.
BTW: The Dallmeyer archive does not work right now, can anyone send me the stockbook for the serial no. 19710?
Lovely lens pierre!
exactly, you definitely should not sell - it's a truly great find imo
good luck in using it and regards
andrew
Matched with the Dallmeyer records...."6A sold on 8 december of 1871 to Liesegang."
I too saw the double engraved Liesegang/Dallmeyer lens within the last year on Ebay. Not quite so splendid as this one!
I may show you some pics for a compare. This one has a huge historical provenance so exactly the original D 6A lens.
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Dimensions - h 420mm, w 210mm.
Hi Steven - the 5a and 6a were sold in rigid mount, these werent special order. see http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs...ollinlp819.htm page 18
Yes, I realised this quite a few posts ago!
I think the astro link and the long threaded barrel means they not intended for photography as we know it. I can also remember some similar large D series ex Military which didn't have the rear adjustment (Jim Galli?).
Glad to hear it will be used for wet plates hope to see them soon. I would go 16x20 Chamonix as far as a camera goes. I am in process of purchasing a lightly used one right now. Congrats.Quote:
Originally Posted by thegreatcornholio
Thanks Brandon! As my budget is limited, I will try to build a camera with a friend, who is a carpenter. And what I am not sure, if the bellows extension of 1m is enough for this lens is enough for portraits. Where did you get yours? Its nearly impossible to find one used?!Quote:
I would go 16x20 Chamonix as far as a camera goes.
Interesting to consider how much this lens cost when new, $450, is approximately the same as $10,000 today. You could buy a LOT with $450 back then, it was more than a years salary for many Americans.
From a photographer friend who also does wet plate. Best part is I am on a payment plan. Considering the value of that lens you may want to splurge a little. Just my opinion. I am always hoping to find the Dallmeyer 5a. I have a 18x16 Dallmeyer RR and a Voigtlander euryskop III 7a that's going on the camera. Your'e gonna want more like 45 inches of extension with that lens for portraits.Quote:
Originally Posted by thegreatcornholio
Here is mine with few sample shots on 1620.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1717/...7054f964_b.jpgTaylor Hobson Cooke Double Speed 50mm f2 + SL-76 by Jeffo Wong, 於 Flickr
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1605/...d02aba87_b.jpgFullSizeRender (6) by Jeffo Wong, 於 Flickr
Hey!
Yesterday I bought a camera for the lens, finally! Here is one picture of the camera... very big bellow's extension! :)
I'll post some scans of wetplates soon! :)
Is this a 40x50 or a 50x60cm camera?
How much does the 6a weigh? The camera front standard looks well made, but, depending on the fitting at the base, I would suggest a pair of brass strips from the top of the standard down to the base timbers. You can never be sure the glue hasn't dried out or steel screws haven't corroded in the wood.
beauty. love to see the plates.Quote:
Originally Posted by thegreatcornholio
Thanks for your responses!
It is a 40x50cm camera and it is very very rigid, no need to have a support for the front standard. The 8kg lens is doing great on that big standard:
Picture with Lens
Now its time to accommodate with that big focusing screen!