Dutch Lens Maker--ID help needed

[heritagefutures]

I have in hand an

„Astra“ Aplanastigmaat F8 nº 2

a brass lens made by the 'Fabriek van Fotografische Producten, Amsterdam' in the Netherlands

Images of the lens and its construction can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritag...57640054041015

I am wondering if anyone has seen other lenses by that manufacturer and has information on that company? All and any help and suggestions are very much welcome!

Dirk

[edit/add]
I have pulled together what I have been able to find so far in this sandbox (to eventually become an entry in camera-wiki):
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/User:Her...sche_Producten

[Steven Tribe]

Obviously they took a lot of trouble with the engraving. But their photographic production could have limited to dry plates, for instance!

What worries me is the high serial number - they couldn't have "made" this quantity of lenses without there being far more mention of their name in the literature. Some lesser makers/agents thought that high numbers give customer kudos! Aplan......... was a very popular french tradename at the time.

Believe it or not, I have used an A.L. Pipon, Aplanascope 18x24 this morning for the first time!

Perhaps Alex knows something?

[heritagefutures]

Hi Steven
Thanks for the comment… indeed, not totally clear what they were producing, as little information seems to be available on them.


and yes, I too think that the high serial number is purely fictitious. I am just not sure whether the whole lens is a a rebadged OEM product, or whether it is foreign glass in a Dutch-made housing...

And yes, Aplanastigmat / Aplanastigmatique was a name used, for example, by Hermagis. But when you take the lens apart, it does not look like the Hermagis / Darlot / Berthiot / Derogy and Mazo I have taken apart…


PS
As to Pipon, see here ;-)

[Steven Tribe]

The front lens on my Pipon is mounted rather oddly from the back. There is an internal knurled ring which is almost flush with the back of the mount. I have discovered a flower/fern type balsam problem, whilst checking this out for you!

[heritagefutures]

Very nice Steven... yes that internal knurled ring which is almost flush with the back of the mount is like the way the Amsterdam lens is made (see here).
This a rabbit hole worth chasing down...my Pipon is different as it's a wide angle constriction...and the Orthoscopique I have is in storage and inaccessible ...else I would check it's construction right now...

[heritagefutures]

I have discovered a flower/fern type balsam problem, whilst checking this out for you!

and sorry you ran into a flower/fern type balsam problem…the Amsterdam lens also suffers from that see here...

[Steven Tribe]

Balsam is a problem I enjoy! I redo about a dozen a year and while I enjoying the weather in Spain, an old Dallmeyer and Jamin are soaking in xylol back in cold Denmark!

I know that Pipon is usually registered as a lens maker - but I think this was bought-in lens to fit on a bought-in 18x24 camera. It has slight marks in the lacquer where someone has made a guide for the size of the engraving. That is, made after the lens was was fully lacquered. Perhaps from the same source as yours?

[heritagefutures]

WOW, so you redo the balsam.. hard to do?

[Steven Tribe]

No - plenty here under balsam (search).

[evan clarke]

So, Heritage, this lens is really messed up. I will be happy to help you dispose of it..Mail it to me and I will make sure it goes in the landfill...eventually..