Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    36

    Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    "Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65"
    Hello,
    I just bought this ( Petzval ) lens and would like to know more about it...
    Best
    Peter
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Swift and Son No.2_13.jpg   Swift and Son No.2_10.jpg  

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Oxfordshire UK
    Posts
    1,090

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    Hello Peter

    Unless I'm way off, I'm pretty sure that this isn't a Petzval, sorry - Steven Tribe is the one who will confirm, I'm sure

    Andrew

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...-Lens-question


    I did make a long reply here which wasn't auto saved! I think it is a Petzval, although the rear cell appears to be "sealed" which makes for really difficult cleaning.

    In the 1890's, slower/lighter Petzvals were popular for home portraiture.

    Later Petzvals are most often without brass sleeves.
    Here is one with similar proportions to yours from Roussel et Berteau.


    Later: The OP has mentioned an air gap between the two lenses in the rear cell in a PM which excludes a RR/Aplanat!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails image.jpeg  

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    Looking at the Swift catalogue in the previous thread about the Paragon, I am amazed he was able to offer this is quite enormous sizes - lenses up to 7" inches in diameter.

    Obviously not of Swift manufacture, so probably from one of the few makers in Paris who could manage the manufacture without huge investment in production facilities? I'll check some french makers to see if there is a Petzval series which matches up to the Swift list.

    Just to put this into some kind of perspective.

    Dallmeyer's D series (F6) corresponds very closely with data for the Swift list (F6 Petzval compared with F5.56 for Swift). They stopped at the 6" lens size!

    I have only found Gasc et Charconnet making a 7" lens (listed as a standard product) at the moment - and only as a simple achromat, although they used the same achromat production in their Petzval series.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Oxfordshire UK
    Posts
    1,090

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    I'm very happy that I was wrong.................

    Andrew

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    But the OP (and other owners of the Universal Paragon) are even happier!

    Looking at details in the 2015 thread, I can see a marking that suggest a screw thread between what looks like two separate sections in the rear cell. A system to ensure the air space between the two lenses is correct?

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    104

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    Quote Originally Posted by Steven Tribe View Post
    I have only found Gasc et Charconnet making a 7" lens (listed as a standard product) at the moment - and only as a simple achromat, although they used the same achromat production in their Petzval series.
    Hi Steven, in A. Charconnet & A. Laverne catalog, they made some cone portrait lens with 7" glass. The Serie 4 lens mentioned at the bottom of table was the simple achromat lens.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Serie2.jpg 
Views:	32 
Size:	101.4 KB 
ID:	173147

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    Yes, I know. But I also deduced that the achromat used in their landscape series is exactly the same lens that is the front achromat in one of their Petzval series. All lens diameters match! I also have a french landscape and petzval from another maker (Lerebours, I think) with a similar complete match.

    Well done - It looks like we now have found where Swift got his Universal lens from!

    Later: Although this seems like a source/match with the Swift Universal Petzval, there are some problems! The Gasc et Charconnet/Laverne series 2 Petzvals are much faster and have the so-called "cone" arrangement - where the rear lenses have a larger diameter than the front achromat. But they would crtainly have experience in making Petzvals of this size and had sources for the chunks of optical glass.
    Last edited by Steven Tribe; 29-Dec-2017 at 14:09.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    36

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    "Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65"
    ... just a little update with pictures ...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Universal Paragon No2_01.jpg 
Views:	28 
Size:	59.6 KB 
ID:	174439
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Universal Paragon No2_02.jpg 
Views:	28 
Size:	54.8 KB 
ID:	174440
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCF6447.jpg 
Views:	29 
Size:	30.6 KB 
ID:	174441
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCF6456.jpg 
Views:	24 
Size:	37.3 KB 
ID:	174442

  10. #10
    (Shrek)
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    2,044

    Re: Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65

    Quote Originally Posted by Dikran View Post
    "Swift and Son London, Universal Paragon No.2 f:5,65"
    ... just a little update with pictures ...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Universal Paragon No2_01.jpg 
Views:	28 
Size:	59.6 KB 
ID:	174439
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Universal Paragon No2_02.jpg 
Views:	28 
Size:	54.8 KB 
ID:	174440
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCF6447.jpg 
Views:	29 
Size:	30.6 KB 
ID:	174441
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCF6456.jpg 
Views:	24 
Size:	37.3 KB 
ID:	174442
    I have a similar but unbranded/unmarked Petzval that I was looking for info on, though I thought my calculations placed it at f8. I will dig it out and compare to your photos, I expect it is also a G&C.

Similar Threads

  1. Swift & Son Paragon No.4 Lens question
    By dragosandriana in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 23-Dec-2015, 13:52
  2. Swift and Son No.4 Universal Paragon info?
    By Craig Tuffin in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 4-Sep-2012, 09:03

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •