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Thread: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

  1. #1

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    Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    Picked up this lens and impressed with the results, 10x8 paper neg and wet plate, though as its heavy had to build a box camera to use it,Anyone else use this underappreciated lens
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  2. #2

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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    "Big Bertha" is quite a popular gal! Plenty of threads here, mostly about her size and weight - but some results. She has plenty of little sisters too.

  3. #3

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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    I've seen a couple of these lenses for sale here and there but didn't bite, the size put me off. It is good to see some images from this lens, thanks for posting them. I'm sort of curious about the box camera you built too, not that I'm going to rush out and buy one of these lenses.

  4. #4

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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    I know where one is, but never bought it and have never used one. Looks like you got good results with it, good job.

  5. #5
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    Very cool. Could you show your camera and more camera details?

    Also what does it weigh?

    Thanks!
    Tin Can

  6. #6
    IanG's Avatar
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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    I don't know about under appreciated. I saw one at a camera fair 5 or 6 years ago it wasn't expensive and came with a camera, it had been used to shoot cricket matches, the whole combination was quite large so unless you had space it wasn't a viable proposition.

    There's one on Ebay currently with a BIN price £19950 (just under $3000) but I'd guess you paid a lot less. The one on Ebay has JHD in the REF number which indicates it was made by Dallmeyer, as yours looks identical I think it safe to assume so is yours. I have a slightly later 17" f5.5 coated Military telephoto and it's a very sharp lens.

    Ian

  7. #7
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    Some will find the space. I am interested in these oddities, their history, historical usage and hobbiests conversions.

    Try encouragement perhaps?

    Quote Originally Posted by IanG View Post
    I don't know about under appreciated. I saw one at a camera fair 5 or 6 years ago it wasn't expensive and came with a camera, it had been used to shoot cricket matches, the whole combination was quite large so unless you had space it wasn't a viable proposition.

    There's one on Ebay currently with a BIN price £19950 (just under $3000) but I'd guess you paid a lot less. The one on Ebay has JHD in the REF number which indicates it was made by Dallmeyer, as yours looks identical I think it safe to assume so is yours. I have a slightly later 17" f5.5 coated Military telephoto and it's a very sharp lens.

    Ian
    Tin Can

  8. #8

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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    For more information, Google the Williamson aerial cameras, which these lenses were designed for and used on. I think I am right in saying they were last used regularly in Canberra flights, but it's possible a few hung on in Buccanneer recce pods and the like. Lots has been declassified in recent years, so the clubs of retired pilots and camera operators are appearing online. A few more years and they'll be gone... :-(

    I have a 36", which I bought mostly to try and make a binocular telescope from. Then we moved to a house with no real view. Heavy beast, but sharp.

  9. #9
    IanG's Avatar
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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Moe View Post
    Some will find the space. I am interested in these oddities, their history, historical usage and hobbiests conversions.

    Try encouragement perhaps?
    I'm all for encouraging the use of lenses like this I's great to see John's images made with it and like you I'd like to see his camera solution. The one on Ebay is £1995 I added and extra 0 in mt post above, the seller says it ways over 8 kg.

    The one I saw was attached to a reflex camera possibly a 5x4 Marion/Kershaw Soho reflex, it had a sliding box type crude focus arrangement like very early wet plate cameras.

    Here in the UK we used to have 4 or 5 shops in London selling ex Government (military) surplus photo equipment and materials and they had made cameras and lens rarely seen now.

    Ian

  10. #10
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Air Ministry 36inch f6.3 lens

    Thank you
    Tin Can

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