rapid portrait lens - 1900???

**Torsten** · 14-Jan-2008, 02:34

Hi, I just won the bid on ebay concerning this "rapid portrait lens" (160195834528). I did not find anything in the vademecum about that lens. Does anybody has some more information about this lens, would be wonderful? Which kind exactly, age, soft focus??

thanks
Torsten

**Torsten** · 14-Jan-2008, 02:37

here is a better view of image 2.

**Ole Tjugen** · 14-Jan-2008, 03:58

Montgomery Ward seems to have been a catalog company, selling just about anything at all. And it also seens that just about anything was named "Thornward" like your lens here.

"Rapid portrait" lenses are often (but not always) Petzvals. If it is, then the focal length is about 80% of the length of the lens.

**Torsten** · 14-Jan-2008, 04:29

another photo of the barril mount

**Ole Tjugen** · 14-Jan-2008, 05:22

A little detective work indicates that it may be a Portrait Rectilinear, made by Clement et Gilmer, 140 Faubourg St. Martin, Paris, France. If so, it should have about 14" focal length.

**Torsten** · 14-Jan-2008, 10:02

The know on the side - I presume it's just a focusing knob! I read somewhere that this knob allows changing from soft- harsh by moving a lens - does anyone know more about it - focusing knob or softener??

T

**Bjorn Nilsson** · 14-Jan-2008, 10:34

The knob is a focusing knob (, at least it is on my similar lenses). You will see when you receive the lens.

//Björn

**Ole Tjugen** · 14-Jan-2008, 10:38

I'm almost certain this one is "just" a focusing knob.

Rectlinears don't have moveable lenses - although changing the cell spacing might affect the sharpness. But since the knob is on a brass sleeve around the shiny lens barrel, I would say it's 99% certain it's a focusing knob.

**Gene McCluney** · 14-Jan-2008, 11:04

Montgomery-Ward and Sears, Roebuck & Company were both huge catalog mail-order houses at the turn of the century. You could order anything from toothpicks to a do-it-yourself house kit. Both had extensive photography equipment and supplies departments, and offered quality items at reasonable prices under their own names. One name Sears used for cameras was SEROCO. A name Sears (to this day) uses for appliances is Kenmore. Another is Craftsman for its tools.

**Jim Fitzgerald** · 14-Jan-2008, 21:53

I won a lens a while back that is similar to this. It is a 11x14 RR. I made waterhouse stops for it and it is a great lens. You should be very happy with it. I'll post some pictures of the lens and what it can do.

Jim