I recently acquired this 19" long (30/31" focal length) lens and would love to know a little more about it. Some of the information I've found about the transition of the business from Jamin to Darlot doesn't fit what I've found hidden within this lens.
On removing the front element I found it pencil marked (as is typical of Darlot lenses). It read 'W Morley' and what looks to be 'Islnyton' (this last one could be wrong). One of the rear elements is marked 'A. Svoboda' and 'Jamin a Darlot 1869'.
As the front of the barrel is marked:
JAMIN BTE SGDG
Rue Chapon 14 Paris
2318
The elements are 7.5" across and 2 of the 3 are in terrific condition. The outer rear element was back-to-front and as a result has some scratches in the centre (total area about 15 - 20mm across) from the element projecting past the rim. I would love to know whether anyone thinks the scratches would make a difference to the image and/or it should/could be repaired....and where...
Everything else on this lens works perfectly, the hood doesn't have a scratch and of course the flange is present.
I'd love to know if anyone knows about this Will Morley or A. Svoboda. It's date doesn't seem to match the factory handover dates but who knows...the brass could have been sitting for a couple of years before the elements were made for it or maybe Jamin stayed on the scene longer than some people thought.
I don't currently have a camera that has a lensboard that will fit this lens (10" flange) so I might even decide to sell it later for a reasonable offer.
A lot of people know a lot more about this factory than me so I'd love to hear from them.
.....oh, and I can't get the lens on my Shen Hao lensboard....any suggestions
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