Brass Busch Wide Angle Aplanat Lens
This is a brass 6” f/15 Emil Busch “Weitwinkel Aplanat” No. 2 (Series C) for 5x7, c
1890s. This is still one of the earlier symmetrical wide-angle designs, but one of the
best of its kind from a generally overlooked and vastly underrated maker. Busch made
far better lenses than most of the big name German companies. Beautifully made,
superb optics – claimed coverage was 100 to 105 degrees. Easily covers 5x7 wide
open; 7x9 stopped down.
A small lens measuring 1.25” long; 1.5” across the hood. Waterhouse wheel-stops and
original flange. Very nice condition. Really quite rare – but I’m afraid to say it because
that puts it in the same class as everything else on eBay. Groan. OK, what the hell,
quite rare.
Let me explain the “Best Offer” option. I am often offered a higher price and asked to
end my auctions early. If you are interested in this lens, this is your opportunity to
make a HIGHER offer for early consideration. Presumptuous, I know, but it makes life
interesting. And I will not accept offers for less than the starting bid.
Because of the value of the item, I will not ship by 1st Class Mail. Please use the
included eBay shipping calculator.
Brass 8” Ross Concentric Wide Angle Lens
This is a brass 8” f/16 Ross #6 “Concentric” lens for 6.5” x 8.5” (whole-plate), c1890s.
It was one of the very first lenses to use the newly introduced used barium crown glass
(1888) and even though Ross never used the term “anastigmat” in his descriptions, the
lens is generally regarded by collectors as the first of the true anastigmats – regardless
of what Zeiss might claim – and optically it ran rings around the first of Zeiss
Anastigmats.
These lenses are moderate wide angle designs covering about 75 degrees and could be
used wide open. Stopping down increased coverage and resolution somewhat but
really wasn’t necessary.
This is a comfortably sized lens, about 1.25” long and 1.75 inches in diameter across
the hood. Waterhouse wheel-stops, flange and lens cap (not shown). Very nice
condition. I should probably say “rare” but these days doesn’t that describe everything
on eBay?
Let me explain the “Best Offer” option. I am often offered a higher price and asked to
end my auctions early. If you are interested in this lens, this is your opportunity to
make a HIGHER offer for early consideration. Presumptuous, I know, but it makes life
interesting. And I will not accept offers for less than the starting bid.
Because of the value of the item, I will not ship by 1st Class Mail. Please use the
included eBay shipping calculator.
Dallmeyer Waterhouse Stops for 3-B Lens
This is a complete set of eight (8) Dallmeyer stops for their “Quick Acting” 3-B Patent
Portrait Lens. Specifically, these are stamped with lens #24,634 that factory records
show as being sold on August 3, 1876 to “Innes” if you wish to do further research.
Should fit any Dallmeyer 3-B lens, I would think, but also very unlikely to fit anything
else. If you’ve ever tried to make your own stops you know what a near impossible
chore it is – and my machinist flat-out refuses to makes them, period. Includes the
ratty original case that will fall apart any day now. I doubt that it can be repaired.
Considering the popularity of the 3-B lens these days, these stops can make your life a
lot easier. It’s rare to find a set of stops that can be linked to a known lens, much less
to a specific serial #. Priced according – and remember, it’s a $600 lens and up –
they’re worth it.
Because of the value of the item, I will not ship by 1st Class Mail. Please use the
included eBay shipping calculator.
Lancaster Book-type ¼-Plate Holders
Three beautifully finished wood ¼-plate book-type holders for some ¼-plate Lancaster
that I owned in a previous life. Unfortunately, since I owned a lot of small Lancaster
cameras at one time, I don’t recall which one these came from – besides I thought I
sold the cameras with their holders – so why I still have these is a mystery.
At any rate, yes, the internal size really is exactly 3.25” x 4.25” with external
dimensions of: 3.875” x 5.125” x 0.625” thick. Small lock groove in side pieces as seen
in the photo.
Each holder has the small metal Lancaster plaque and a series of small holes to identify
which holder is in use - #1, 2 and 3 – also seen in the photo.
I’m willing to ship internationally by 1st Class Mail to save you some shipping expense.
Please use the included eBay shipping calculator.
Watkin’s #6 Pinhole Lens
This is exactly as the name implies – an accessory “pinhole lens” for your c1900 field
camera. Watkin’s was famous for their line of early exposure meters, but they made a
number of other interesting accessories – including pin-hole “lenses” for a number of
years. Alfred Watkin had a thing for pin-hole photography and wrote extensively on the
subject. The #6 was the most useful size for the field cameras of the day.
OK, I admit it, this isn’t the sort of thing that a dedicated lens collector really needs –
but hey, if you claim to be a dedicated lens collector, you’re sort of obligated to own
one. Besides it’s so damned hokey that you know you need it – just to prove you still
have a sense of humor. At least that was my rationalization.
It is designed to spring-clip to the inside of the lens flange after the regular lens was
removed – see the insert on the lower right. I’m not sure of the image quality with
something like a 5 x 7 camera, but it doesn’t work worth a damn on a Canon 5D dSLR .
. . see the small inset on upper left. On the other, I had it mounted only 3” from the
sensor and you pinholers know that a really tiny hole is needed in close. On a field
camera with 8” or 10” of bellows draw, the image would be much sharper – although
the exposure would also be much longer.
Neither the photo of Michelle, nor the Anthony Victor camera is included – just the
pinhole lens. I’m willing to ship internationally by 1st Class Mail to save you some
shipping expense. Please use the included eBay shipping calculator.
Griffin’s Planiscope Wide Angle Lens
This is a wide angle lens attachment for your c1900 field camera. It would spring-clip
over the front of a small lens as seen in the photo. Griffin’s made these things in a
telephoto, portrait and close-up/copy version as well. The early ads for these things
claim: “The Wide-Angle Planiscope transforms an ordinary R.R. lens into a lens of as
wide an angle as under ordinary circumstances is ever required.” ??? Wow “as is ever
required” - now there is a powerful claim.
In honesty, I couldn’t get it to do anything on my dSLR except soften the image – but it
really was intended to be mounted somewhat ahead of the optics and I could see some
difference on the ground glass of a 5x7 field camera equipped with the RR lens seen in
the photo.
As with the Watkin’s Pinhole lens, I admit it, this isn’t the sort of thing that a dedicated
lens collector really needs – but once again, if you claim to be a dedicated lens
collector, you’re sort of obligated to own one. An interesting and beautiful piece of
chrome and glass work with a very handsome thermoplastic (?) case.
The small RR lens in the inset is not included – just the Planiscope and case. I’m willing
to ship internationally by 1st Class Mail to save you some shipping expense. Please use
the included eBay shipping calculator.
Brass 5 x 8 Wide Angle Portable Symmetrical Lens
This is a small brass lens engraved “Wide Angle Portable Symmetrical Lens 5 x 8” –
there is no makers name on it. But in all likelihood it was made by Ross and is their 7inch f/16, #5 Portable Symmetrical from the late 1880s - that has exactly the same
specification. While the generic name “portable symmetrical” was used by a number of
makers, Ross made the first ones (with capital letters) and made the vast majority of all
others.
The name came from the small size – although other symmetrical WA’s from that time
weren’t much bigger. This one is 1” long and 1.5” in diameter.
The early ads I’ve seen don’t mention the angle of coverage, but allude to it being close
to 90 degrees – which was about par for the course for wide angles in those days. A
good general purpose wide angle, but not quite as perfect as the anastigmat versions
that came along about 10 years later. Still, if you want a little character in your images,
this lens doesn’t leave you as cold and detached as the “better” anastigmats of the
1890s.
Nice glass, Waterhouse stop-wheel, lens cap (not shown) and in comparison to the
lens, an oversized flange – probably a replacement made to cover the hole in the
lensboard left by the lens it was replacing . . . maybe a less portable symmetrical WA?
I should call it rare, but that term borders on meaningless these days on eBay – but
you probably don’t own one – and if you’re a serious lens collector what does that make
it?
Unfortunately, because of the value, I will not ship internationally by 1st Class Mail.
Please use the included eBay shipping calculator.
Rodenstock Wide Angle Bistigmat Lens
This is an interesting and very uncommon Rodenstock wide angle lens, c1880s. It is
actually engraved: Rodenstock, Weitwinkel Bistigmat 18 x 24 (that’s cm, so about 7” x
9”). The Bistigmat design is usually found in a much larger “normal” lens – which from
a distance looks to be a typically RR design, but it isn’t – and the wide versions (which
look WA) are very rarely seen – “rare” being used with it’s original meaning – not eBay
rare.
The Bistigmat is actually a 2-element symmetrical meniscus or “periscopic” lens – see
the small diagram. It uses 2 single elements, not cemented pairs. As such, it isn’t color
corrected and has issues that 2-elements aren’t going to solve. Consequently,
Bistigmats have a grossly misunderstood little gimmick built into them.
The lens can shift forward and backward a bit and as you see in the photo, the
adjustment is engraved: Bildaufn. & Mattsch. Those are short for “Bildaufnahme &
Mattscheibe” which translate into “Picture taking” and “Ground glass.”
To explain: the eye tends to see (and focus) in the yellow; while the emulsions in those
days were far more sensitive to blue. If you focused normally, it was guaranteed that
your photo would be blurry because blue focus is shorter than yellow. So, if you had a
Bistigmat, you would set the lens to Mattsch. (a bit further out) and focus the camera;
then pull the lens back to Bildaufn. (a bit closer in) and take the pic. This was less of
an issue with a WA lens than a normal lens, but still an issue.
Rodenstock made fine lenses, read as “expensive” and the Bistigmats were offered as
inexpensive options to their better lines. It’s an indirect descendant from the
preposterously rare Steinheil Periskop of 1864, and many makers made some sort
variation of this 2-element design. Essentially, except for a very few, they all sucked.
But these days, with panchromatic film, it might be a really interesting lens to use –
especially if you forget to change the setting.
The lens is of modest size, about 1.25” long and 1.75” across the hood. A very nice
lens, good glass, with original lens cap (not shown), flange, Waterhouse-stop wheel.
As with some of my other auctions this week, let me explain the “Best Offer” option. I
am often offered a higher price and asked to end my auctions early. If you are
interested in this lens, this is your opportunity to make a HIGHER offer for early
consideration. Presumptuous, I know, but it makes life interesting. And I will not
accept offers for less than the starting bid.
Because of the value of the item, I will not ship internationally by 1st Class Mail. Please
use the included eBay shipping calculator.
Single Achromat Landscape Lens
This is a more-or-less traditional “single-achromat” landscape lens, but not a design I’ve
seen very often. It has a large front opening (the limiting stop) and a slot for slip-in
stops very close to the front edge. Otherwise, a standard single-achromat optical
design. No makers name or mark anywhere to be seen, but something about it makes
me think it isn’t US. But then I haven’t seen anything foreign that looks like this either.
And it also has an old feel to it – nothing about it feels “modern” meaning 1880s or
1890s, but I can’t be sure.
It has a 10” back focus so it should cover ½-plate, 5 x 7 and/or 5 x 8.
I suppose the really good thing about it is that it could be used on any vintage camera
and probably be appropriate, or at least not raise any questions.
Unfortunately, because it is somewhat generic, I can’t ask much for it, but if you have a
John Stock field camera that is missing a lens, you can dramatically increase the value
at my expense. I ought to ask for a share in the gain.
Because of the value of the item, I will not ship internationally by 1st Class Mail. Please
use the included eBay shipping calculator.
US Optical 8x10 Wide Angle Periscope Lens
This is more interesting piece than it might look. The lens is engraved: U.S. Optical
Co., New York; Wide Angle Periscope 8x 10. Few people have ever heard of the U.S.
Optical Company because it has a brief, complex and troubled history – and as far as I
can tell, U.S. Optical came and went between 1904 and 1905.
The story starts with Ulrich Nehring, the maker of many lens accessories in the 1890s
and early 1900s, and involves the Scientific Lens Company (New York) which no one
knows much about. Apparently, around 1904 Nehring buys out Scientific, keeps the
name, sells off the remaining stock, and spins off U.S. Optical. However, there is some
sort sort lawsuit against US Optical – I don’t know what or why, but US Optical loses
the appeal – and then US Optical and maybe U. Nehring both disappear.
At any rate, this lens appears to be just what the name implies, a 2-element
symmetrical meniscus or “periscopic” lens – see the small diagram – and hence the
“Periscope” name. It uses 2 single elements, not cemented pairs. Periscopic lenses
can’t be properly color corrected, but wide designs have less of a problem than the
normal lenses. Might be fun to use with modern film, maybe some interesting fringing
and a softer look.
This is neat lens, pretty good glass, and with the original flange. It’s slotted for stops,
but I never had any. It’s a fairly small lens measuring about 1.125” long and about
1.75” across the hood.
I don’t know the angle of coverage, but it has about a 7” focus, claims to cover 8 x 10
and is roughly f/16 wide open – maybe a bit faster.
The only thing that makes this lens rare is the name and short life – but I suppose
those are as good a reason as any. The brass work reminds me of a couple of small
“Emil” WA lenses (Manhattan/Gundlach) that I used to own - so perhaps there is a
Busch or other German connection. The German’s made quite a few periscopic lenses
and it wouldn’t surprise me if this were an import. How many tiny optical companies in
NYC could there be?
Because of the value of the item, I will not ship internationally by 1st Class Mail. Please
use the included eBay shipping calculator.
Wollaston Meniscus Periscopic Landscape Lens
This is tiny, slide focus brass lens – roughly 4” focus - and I have no idea what it came
from or was used on. I apologize for the title since it is completely unmarked, no
name, etc., but it is that design. It is the only brass bound “Wollaston” type meniscus
lens that I have come across.
I have no idea when this lens was made, but the Wollaston design dates back to 1812 –
long before Daguerre & photography – and was used in camera obscuras and other
optical devices. It was the first true photographic lenses – long before there was
photography.
Millions of the meniscus elements were used in simple, inexpensive box cameras, but
this is the only one I’ve found as a complete focusing lens assembly.
The lens is tiny, only 1” long and 1” across the front. I have no idea what the speed or
angle of coverage would be. Other than the slide focus, there are adjustments and no
stops – just the built-in limiting stop ahead of the element.
The lens is nicely made with good glass. The flange is built-into the slip-sleeve, not
removable. My guess is that the lens didn’t come from a camera – although it’s
possible – 4” focus would cover a roughly 3” square. Perhaps from a pocket viewer, or
very small camera obscura, or ???
The lens is no great shakes, except for the fact that it’s the only one I’ve found in 15
years of looking. Historically, a big deal to a dedicated lens collector, but otherwise of
limited practical use – which should make it wildly appealing to the serious collector.
Depending on the winning bid, I might or might not ship internationally by 1st Class
Mail. At about $50, tracking becomes more important to me. Please use the included
eBay shipping calculator.