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

Thread: Petzval lens questions

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    234

    Petzval lens questions

    I bought an unmarked lens and I have a couple questions. I figured the edges would be less sharp the further from center it got. The lens has 2 front elements and one rear. The rear has 144 written on the side. No other markings on the lens. No waterhouse slot so it's just wide open. As far as I can tell it is a 280mm at F4 from doing research on here on how to calculate it. I'm guessing that's pretty close from my sample shot. Don't mind the spots, scratches and hair, I dropped the negative. Question 1 is, how do you keep the focus on the lens itself from moving? I can grab the the lens and it moves super easy inside the brass outer sleeve. Last question, is there a way to make it more blurry/soft since that is what I had bought it for. Here is a sample picture and a picture of the lens.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	img20221127.jpg 
Views:	69 
Size:	31.1 KB 
ID:	232954Click image for larger version. 

Name:	img20221127.jpg 
Views:	69 
Size:	31.1 KB 
ID:	232954

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1295.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	56.8 KB 
ID:	232955

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    234

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron (Netherlands) View Post
    I had a cheap Petzval (USD 30) fully cleaned last week, and for that I had it disassembled completely; it turned out all the lenses where at the wrong place; the lenses were also swapped in the wrong mounting.

    So first check whether you lenses are placed at the right orientation. You mention that there are 2 elements at the front. At the frontside however there should reside the cemented achromat (which looks like one lens), and at the back the meniscus (inside) and the biconvex or planoconvex (at the rear outside): see also here: https://www.largeformatphotography.i...ns-orientation

    Further you won't see much of the swirly bookeh at close distant shots.

    The pencil writing 144 at the side of your (cemented) achromat might indicate its focuslength.
    After looking at this site it seems the 2 elements are supposed to be in the rear and the single in front.
    https://antiquecameras.net/petzvallens/oldarticle.html

  3. #3
    Mark Sawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Stuck inside of Tucson with the Neverland Blues again...
    Posts
    6,268

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by jtomasella View Post
    Question 1 is, how do you keep the focus on the lens itself from moving? I can grab the the lens and it moves super easy inside the brass outer sleeve. Last question, is there a way to make it more blurry/soft since that is what I had bought it for. Here is a sample picture and a picture of the lens.
    For question 1: Many Petzvals had a felt lining inside the brass barrel that the inner barrel slid against. When that's removed, the inner barrel is loose and slides around easily. Remove the drive and the inner barrel will come out completely, and you can put a layer or two of book tape/gaffer's tape/whatever inside the brass barrel to take up the space. Play with it til you find the right thickness, then reassemble.

    For question 2: Basic Petzvals are not soft-focus lenses. Dallmeyer had a modification to the design that many copied, but it wasn't really very effective compared to later soft-focus lenses. You can vary the spacing between the back elements and try reversing their order (that's how the Dallmeyer redesign worked), which might give you what you want.

    Another better option would be to use the front element alone as a Landscape Lens (single element). That can give a very nice soft-focus effect at about double the focal length and half the speed.
    "I love my Verito lens, but I always have to sharpen everything in Photoshop..."

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    234

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron (Netherlands) View Post
    Isn't that the same as what I wrote about the front and rear? hmm perhaps the words 'cemented achromat' is confusing for you.



    Btw if you lenses moves too easy, then you should (re)place the velvet liner inside the outside sleeve; it resides at the rear where there should be a recess for it.
    No you didn't confuse me, in front there are two elements. According to the article I just read, they are supposed to be in the rear.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    234

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Sawyer View Post
    For question 1: Many Petzvals had a felt lining inside the brass barrel that the inner barrel slid against. When that's removed, the inner barrel is loose and slides around easily. Remove the drive and the inner barrel will come out completely, and you can put a layer or two of book tape/gaffer's tape/whatever inside the brass barrel to take up the space. Play with it til you find the right thickness, then reassemble.

    For question 2: Basic Petzvals are not soft-focus lenses. Dallmeyer had a modification to the design that many copied, but it wasn't really very effective compared to later soft-focus lenses. You can vary the spacing between the back elements and try reversing their order (that's how the Dallmeyer redesign worked), which might give you what you want.

    Another better option would be to use the front element alone as a Landscape Lens (single element). That can give a very nice soft-focus effect at about double the focal length and half the speed.
    I'll look into the felt. I have some felt with an adhesive back in my art box.

  6. #6
    Mark Sawyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Stuck inside of Tucson with the Neverland Blues again...
    Posts
    6,268

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by jtomasella View Post
    I'll look into the felt. I have some felt with an adhesive back in my art box.
    It may be too thick, as modern felt tends to be much thicker than the old stuff. But worth a try!
    "I love my Verito lens, but I always have to sharpen everything in Photoshop..."

  7. #7
    Ron (Netherlands)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    665

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by jtomasella View Post
    No you didn't confuse me, in front there are two elements. According to the article I just read, they are supposed to be in the rear.
    I delete my suggestions to you, since other members here may read your response as though I advised the opposite.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Sawyer View Post
    It may be too thick, as modern felt tends to be much thicker than the old stuff. But worth a try!
    Didn't they use velvet in the old days.....
    __________________
    When day is done......

    My Flickr

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    234

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron (Netherlands) View Post
    I delete my suggestions to you, since other members here may read your response as though I advised the opposite.



    Didn't they use velvet in the old days.....
    You put me on the right track. I reinstalled the lenes acorrdind to that article and added tape to the barrel to stiffen it up some. I'll post follow up pictures after I test the current configuration.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    234

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Sawyer View Post
    It may be too thick, as modern felt tends to be much thicker than the old stuff. But worth a try!
    Yes, it was too thick, used tape instead.

  10. #10
    Foamer
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    2,430

    Re: Petzval lens questions

    Actually, a Petzval construction is two elements cemented together and there are two individual elements slightly spaced apart in the rear. It's common for those two in the rear to not be set correctly. I.e., one or both are reversed.


    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

Similar Threads

  1. Questions On Old Petzval With RECTANGULAR-Shaped Aperture Waterhouse Stops
    By leighmarrin in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 12-Mar-2015, 14:28
  2. Home made Petzval or Celor Lens Questions
    By Too Many Cameras in forum LF DIY (Do It Yourself)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 15-Feb-2015, 22:17
  3. Some questions on Petzval lenses
    By chachahavana in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 2-Jun-2009, 07:21

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
  •