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Thread: Info on a small brass Watson Holostigmat?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    377

    Info on a small brass Watson Holostigmat?

    I have a small orphaned brass barrel lens from a project that I am abandoning. It is a 3.25 inch Watson Holostigmat convertible wide angle.

    Looking at the dual aperture scale the elements can be used singly or in combination (f/22 and f/11 respectively).

    I'm wondering what the coverage might be. It looks like it might cover 4x5 but I was wondering if anyone has any experience of this actual lens who can confirm this, or if this is rather optimistic?

    Any input appreciated. I guess I'm also wondering how much I should ask for it if I were to sell it here (or elsewhere)?

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,470

    Re: Info on a small brass Watson Holostigmat?

    Phil, I've never had a Holostigmat, let alone a convertible WA. But they are mentioned in the VM. No idea on pricing. Here's the news:

    Holostigmat Convertible Series 1 f6.1 This was made in 4.-24in (20 types) and a few were made at
    f6.0. The aperture fell normally to f6.5 if the components were different. It should be a crisp, contrasty lens and
    one of these is fully usable today. The single components work at f11.5 or 11.3 and were made in 6.0- 34.5in
    focus.(Layout Wat004). It normally covers about 65° or if stopped down up to 86-90°, a little more than the
    Dagor is usually rated to cover, and noticeably more than most other symmetrical anastigmats. The single
    cells cover 36-40° when used alone. Thus an 4.0 or 6in lens is quite easy to use on 5x4in. As suggested, the
    cells can be of different focus, though the examples seen were the same back and front to get the maximum
    aperture. One was seen in a focusing mount, No49x for a 5in lens, while an 8.5in was in a normal barrel at
    No20x and a 7in was No155x. It was made in 4.0, 4.25, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and longer foci. There are too many
    combinations to list completely but some are as follows.
    Some useful sizes for 5x4in work are:
    Focus (in)
    Pair Front cell Rear cell Aperture
    4.0 7.25 6.0 f6.5
    4.25 7.25 7.25 f6.1
    4.5 8.5 7.25 f6.5
    5.0 8.5 8.5 f6.1 This was a regular 5x4in lens.
    5.5 10.25 8.5 f6.5 This was suggested for 5.5x4.5in.
    6.0 10.25 10.25 f6.1 for up to 6x5in
    6.5 12.25 10.25 f6.5 for up to 6.5x4.75
    They do seem sometimes to have sold on other cameras, (one Series I was noted at auction on a Lancaster
    1/2plate), but were typically on Watson's own cameras in wood and brass.
    The 8.5in did not cover 10x8in but probably would cover 1/1plate, and proved to be sharp and very contrasty in
    use outdoors: the front cell of 14.5in did cover 10x8in and was also good, even though it had to be used in the
    front of the mount, which probably is the wrong position.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    377

    Re: Info on a small brass Watson Holostigmat?

    Thanks Dan!

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