Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Help Identify this Lens

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NW New Mexico
    Posts
    428

    Help Identify this Lens

    Please help identify this lens...

    The lens is incomplete - but I don't know what it is missing, nor do I have any idea what it would look like 'complete'

    This was in a box of 'stuff' - and each time I see it, I get more and more curious...

    It is branded Bausch and Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N.Y.

    Has three separate aperture scales (though missing all blades) 3-128, 10-256, 10-256

    Is missing front element, has the rear element, has internal 'waterhouse washer?'

    Also has rack and pinion, but unknown what it moves internally, or what it was supposed to move.....it almost looks as though it moved the ' waterhouse washer?'

    I'm especially curious why would it have the waterhouse washer, and aperture blades?


    Hopefully one of the resident lens gurus knows what this lens is, or was....

    Thanks in advance...
    Dan King

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    Tonopah, Nevada, USA
    Posts
    6,334

    Re: Help Identify this Lens

    I believe what you've got there is a hodge podge of parts that somebody screwed together because they take up less space in the junk box.

    The smaller barrel is for a Protar VII triple convertible which is also why it has 3 scales. You may find that part of it is a sleeve that can be slid off and re-installed so that the notch on the aperture actuator would line up with the particular lens group or groups that the owner was using at any given time.

    The other part with the wheel looks like parts of an old petzval. Could be just about anything. The lens glass that you have is............who knows.

    The skirt on the piece that has the aperture is the lens shade from the petzval if you had the front group to the petzval. The washer, is a washer.

  3. #3
    loujon
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Western, PA.
    Posts
    1,644

    Re: Help Identify this Lens

    Hi Dan

    I believe this is a very old style tele lens, They where often paired up with Protar series VIIa's or VII's. I have one that was made by voigtlander & maybe tele-collinear #4 & came with a nice B&L protar VIIA 8"f6.3 with 2x14" cells . If I'm not mistaken the focus knob was used to change the magnification or power.

    My guess is the previous owner remounted the Protar cells & left you with the remains.

    I have never used the Tele as it's frozen solid. Plus I have no interest in using it.However I dig the pretty little Protar


    Hope this helps

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NW New Mexico
    Posts
    428

    Re: Help Identify this Lens

    Thanks Jim and Louis....

    As many times as I stared at this thing, I never realized the very front portion was a barrel....

    It surely explains the Bausch and Lomb logo on two portions of the assembly, which appeared odd....

    (and looking closer the laquer finish is different between them)

    Once separated they each look proper.....

    BUT....this brings another question....

    Jim mentioned possibly the lower section originally was a petzval type....

    I removed the rack and pinion knob, and freed the inner assembly...

    It works separate from the rear element, ie. the rear element is stationary, and the rack and pinion looks to change the distance between front and rear elements....

    Were there petzvals that had adjustments in the distance front to rear?

    Thanks again,
    Dan

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    Tonopah, Nevada, USA
    Posts
    6,334

    Re: Help Identify this Lens

    Quote Originally Posted by DanK View Post
    Thanks Jim and Louis....

    As many times as I stared at this thing, I never realized the very front portion was a barrel....

    It surely explains the Bausch and Lomb logo on two portions of the assembly, which appeared odd....

    (and looking closer the laquer finish is different between them)

    Once separated they each look proper.....

    BUT....this brings another question....

    Jim mentioned possibly the lower section originally was a petzval type....

    I removed the rack and pinion knob, and freed the inner assembly...

    It works separate from the rear element, ie. the rear element is stationary, and the rack and pinion looks to change the distance between front and rear elements....

    Were there petzvals that had adjustments in the distance front to rear?

    Thanks again,
    Dan
    No, Louis has probably nailed it. Petzvals never had front groups that moved while the back stayed stationary.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NW New Mexico
    Posts
    428

    Re: Help Identify this Lens

    Thanks again, Jim....

    Might have to look into finding a protar to fit this assembly....

    Wondering if this going to be a 'needle in the haystack' lens to find?

    Anyone know where to find a protar vii in barrel?

    (A quick ebay search has me thinking finding one will be unlikely)

    Thanks,
    Dan

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NW New Mexico
    Posts
    428

    Re: Help Identify this Lens

    Looks like I'm not going to do anything with this after all...maybe I can sell it to someone that can use it....

    Would someone mind suggesting a fair price for this for the forum classifieds...

    From what I gather, it is an older Tele attachment for Protar VII lenses....

    This has the rear element, rack and pinion assembly works, missing one of the screws

    no retaining ring, but looks to be the same size as the protar barrel

    also would include the old protar barrel without iris or elements

    Thanks,
    Dan

Similar Threads

  1. heip identify my 12" dagor lens
    By JWC in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 20-Jun-2010, 23:11
  2. Portrait perspective: Quiz and two questions
    By Jerry Fusselman in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 88
    Last Post: 5-Jun-2006, 17:57
  3. Help Identify a LF Lens A Hch Rieizsche
    By Tom_5398 in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-Apr-2005, 21:05
  4. Schneider 47mmXL coverage test
    By Micah Marty in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 16-Nov-2000, 12:17

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
  •