Hi, I just bought this lens from *bay, a miniature petzval lens.petz I would like to know if anybody can tell me about it. I don't know camera size of this lens, maybe 1/16 plate?. It's cover perfect on Panasonic GX 4/3 camera. What film and camera size are good together and such. I do some photos on Panasonic GX 4/3 camera, An y info would help. Thanks
Better photo of the engraving please!
No Waterhouse slot. Small Darlots are usually in plain barrels.
I would guess at a Salesman's sample or a toy magic lantern which requires focussing.
People pay $700 for Lomo junk that isn't even a Petzval. A real, tiny one is a treasure. I've been looking for a 50mm Petzval that covers full frame for....oh...forever. Less common than a Mammoth size even. People lost em...dropped them down the toilet, whatever. The closest I have is a 25mm Cine Petzval, but ie won't even cover micro43 very well, vignettes.
I've seen and put my hands on quite a lot of petzval lenses, but I was surprised to see a small lens with fine details of an analog watch. The size of photos from this camera is similar to that from gem camera. I wonder if it was made for photography, as it must be hard to focus with ground glass. I'm curious to see the camera to go with this lens. Btw some details of the lens: serial number is 21726, engraved on the inside of the lens cap and on rank & pinion.
Did it have any signs of being used? The screw holes in the flange often receive small marks when the screws are inserted or withdrawn.
The centuries old apprentice system in Europe had a completion project before the apprentice was considered to have passed into the ranks of craftsmen. This was often a miniature example (best known in furniture/joinery), partly to check the quality of work and partly to save on resources. But perhaps not, as brass turning and lens grinding/polishing are different trades!
The smallest I've ever been able to get is this 5" Horne and Thornthwait from 1855. I do have 2-3 gemtype lenses, but they're not Petzvals. I also have a Darlot tube, that is about a 4" lens. That's it, they're not easy to find. Just as there are people that want a 16", F3.8 Petzval to fit on their 4.5" lensboard (it cannot be done), finding a tiny petzval that will cover 35mm is very difficult in a normal focal length.
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