Some Soft Focus Lens Sales Information

[pierre506]

What would he do with a lens without rear cell? He's already got another 4B without front cell? :confused:


Nope, the buyer is a greenhand.

[pierre506]

You can put the front cell in the rear and use this as a longer focal "landscape" lens ...

I found a Hermagis Petzval without rear lenses for very low money and I'm using this in the above way ...

Ymmv


Yep, the seller sent a sample pic to attract the guy.
112325

[Jim Galli]

Dallmeyer 4B ( 141218566645) without rear group went to Shanghai.
$1569

That much money for half a lens is insanity. Just crazy.

[pierre506]

That much money for half a lens is insanity. Just crazy.

My comment was that the one was too rich.

[DrTang]

this could be the wrong place for this..but are there really that many people shooting with all these lenses?

not only SF.. but all those brass lenses we see listed and sold every day??

how many photographers are out there shooting these things (even rarely) vs trophy hunters or speculators?

[Jim Galli]

this could be the wrong place for this..but are there really that many people shooting with all these lenses?

not only SF.. but all those brass lenses we see listed and sold every day??

how many photographers are out there shooting these things (even rarely) vs trophy hunters or speculators?

I am perhaps all 3. What difference does it make. Is this a morality issue?

[DrTang]

I am perhaps all 3. What difference does it make. Is this a morality issue?

not at all..I was just wondering how if there is a silent army out there taking photos with old brass lenses somewhere

I've only run into one other person who was using an old darlot - she was doing some tintype thing
I've run into more people shooting stereo/3d

[Amedeus]

this could be the wrong place for this..but are there really that many people shooting with all these lenses?

not only SF.. but all those brass lenses we see listed and sold every day??

how many photographers are out there shooting these things (even rarely) vs trophy hunters or speculators?

I collect them, I shoot with them, and at times I hunt for them ... All because I fell in love in how they make the image look ... The individual signature.

One of each please ;)

[Jim Galli]

Actually, I think maybe there is a small army of people who have begun to feel that the clinical sameness of digital photography is a bore, and wouldn't it be fun to make something a little bit unique. But then there are the other less noble categories you mentioned also I suppose.

[goamules]

It's not really an Army of people buying 3Bs, or Veritos, or what have you. I'd guess I see 10 3B's sold a year at the most. There are 300 million people in America, and 1.3 billion in China. If only 1 person out of a million want's to buy a 3B, that makes 300 a year. Just in the US. Now add demand from China and Europe. With the Internet, all it takes is one, tiny, sprinkling of discussion about anything - and you can have thousands of people suddenly wanting it. How many hits has this thread gotten in the past 5 years? If one out of 5 Million people read it, and say "hey, I want to do that..." you've still got a ton out there buying 3Bs now. Personally, I think the market for brass and soft focus lenses is very very small.

More fun statistics* here: For every 1 LF photographer that shoots brass lenses that we know about on this forum, there are 25 more you don't see online.

*made up statistic, but you get my point.

[Amedeus]

Wollensak Verito 11 1/2" for $600 (BIN, 191104657468)

[jp]

I know two people locally who have one of the same soft lenses I do and they don't post images to forums and they have respectable reasons. When I've been to two soft focus workshops, about half the people were known to the forums, the other half enjoyed photography without posting things to the Internet.

[andrehh]

Is a Dallmeyer Quick Acting Portrait Lens 2b considered to be soft focus?

If yes, EUR 225 (161249108337)

[Steven Tribe]

Dispatched by Dallmeyer in May 1868 to "Jonas".

But from the entry in the ledger and the rear cell, I think this is a plain 2B - that is, without the soft adjustment.

Still very nice.

[andrehh]

I think this is a plain 2B - that is, without the soft adjustment.


Hi Steven,

I agree on the "plain 2B". That´s why I`m unsure whether or not a lens without adjustement can still be soft focus by default.

[8x10 user]

Anyone have an idea where someone should put the aperture on this lens? Measurements would be ideal.


"*Very Rare* Dallmeyer Bergheim No. 1 Soft Focus Brass Petzval Lens for 8x10?" sold for $1250. (ebay 301073408354)

The small size, won't cover 8x10 and isn't a Petzval, but still a historically important soft focus lens. Missing the front aperture mechanism, but otherwise looked to be in pretty good shape.


It should be easy for the buyer of the Bergheim to adapt a regular lens hood into an water house stops hood. Does anyway know how far in front of the lens the aperture should be? Is the aperture even required on the Bergheim? It sounds like the lens produced an image with it on the ground glass with out it.

[Steven Tribe]

I imagine that the front aperture (iris, WHS or Imagon discs) will control both illumination and "pictorial effects".
It is no secret that the Bergheim and the de Pulligny (adjustable landscape from Darlot) use the same optical structure! So there might be ideas to fetch from these about the range of iris widths and distance from the front lens.

[8x10 user]

They look different to me

http://www.antiquecameras.net/images/297_puyo_5.jpg
http://www.antiquecameras.net/images/385_dall99.jpg

[Steven Tribe]

The variety and combination of the plano, concave, convex surfaces do differ - but they are both +ve and -ve combination periscopes with adjustable distance between the front and rear cells. The period of the 1890's was the apex of British and French Jingoism which would explain "separate development" of the same idea.

The radical redesign of the rear cells of the Petzval by Dallmeyer didn't change it being a Petzval.

[8x10 user]

I've been playing with the lens (Dallmeyer Bergheim) today and it has me pretty excited.

What I saw on the ground glass reminded somewhat me of the few times I used a Pinkham SA. Its very soft, but the band of focus seemed longer... It seemed like a lens that could be focused half a dozen different ways each with a unique but pleasing looking. I also played with the gundlach achromat which is a lot more abrupt in the nature of its softness and transition to out of focus. It is almost sharp at first but with a nice in and out of focus glow behind it. The glow is pronounced with the Gundlach but not nearly as much as the Bergheim is toward the back its band of focus. The glow seems to be equally diffused like a Pinkham without the directional effects seen in the plasstica and struss.

I've very glad to have read Coburns remarks on the Bergheim... He is the one that sold me on this lens and I do think I'm going to like it a lot!

Its a true telephoto lens so the back focus at infinity is ~8"-12" and the diameter of the lens is smaller then a normal 20"f/9 lens. Despite the size it is very light due to only having 2 fairly thin elements.

I believe I read that some No. 1 Bergheims go from 12"-20". This one must have been made between the 12-20 version and the "compact" 20" non-adjustable. The "sub-compact" variation? I should be able to have an extension tube made for the front element to shorten the focal length further. Hmm I wonder if a longer distance between elements will increase softness.

The telephoto focus is strange when you move closer to objects I'd say it takes about 24" of bellows to focus at 1:1 on 16" setting so it takes ~8" off the infinity setting but not 16" off of 1:1. It feels weird to have to move the standards so far away when your starting at 8". I can use the full range of my bellows with this lens. I had to pull out the bed extension for my tests.

Unfortunately there are going to be some technical difficulties in mounting it to my 5x7 improved Seneca as the Packard shutter's opening is the same as the lenses diameter. Hopefully it won't effect it too much but its going to require a highhat and precision board to make sure it is centered and as close to the Packard as possible. Also I still don't know exactly where to put aperture. It looks like it should be slightly further then the radius of the front element according to the diagram above.

[8x10 user]

What is a E. Hörnster "Plastic"? I was out bid but it still looks interesting.

[Steven Tribe]

I think it is Germanic Puyo Objectif d'Artiste.

In a reputable Austrian auction, another one was described as:

"two single elements in front and rear, slot for waterhouse stops, approx. 35cm focal length, lens diameter 5.5cm, total length 14.3cm, mounting ring, shutter cap, c.1915, Sn. 429"

[8x10 user]

That is the one that I was looking at.

[lucaas]

Cooke PS945, $3900
171270778327

[Leonard Alecu]

My No. 3 Dallmeyer Bergheim on my 8x20 camera. Not for sale but I post it here for fun.
112695112696

[jumanji]

Result please :p

My No. 3 Dallmeyer Bergheim on my 8x20 camera. Not for sale but I post it here for fun.
112695112696

[brandon13]

Dallmeyer 4d complete with flange $898.88

231183446893

[Amedeus]

Good looking Wollensak Vitax 16" in Studio Shutter on lens board for $1,525 (301128011407)

Nice Hermagis Eidoscope #2, f/5 with original case, no flange for $1,409 (111304183158)

Some more from earlier this year I didn't report yet ...

Hermagis Eidoscope #3, f/4.5, no flange for $1,187 (121279000311)

Brass Hermagis Eidoscope #2, f/5 with flange for $1,227 (281238610069)

[jack_hui]

My No. 3 Dallmeyer Bergheim on my 8x20 camera. Not for sale but I post it here for fun.
112695112696

Is it a Ebony ??

[lucaas]

Dallmeyer 3A 16" f/4, $2000, 251485649267

[Amedeus]

Plasticca 450mm f/4 with the front of a camera attached for $2,500 (BIN, 171277175041)

[Steven Tribe]

It has to be mentioned - although the agreed price has to be guessed at.

BODINE'S PICTORIAL 9" f5. This is the small one for 4x5.
Was eb*y 261414441082. Listed as $4000 or best offer. There were 4 best offers - highest was $2500.
The lens became suddenly "no longer available", which experience suggests means a sale without eb*y help! It is also a way of getting the last extra cents out of a sale.
A guess would be $2500 - $3000 - with saved fees!

It is interesting that this lens has the same type of marks on the lens hood as the one in CCHarrison's part II of the Soft/Pictorial lens saga. Front mounted shutters?

[goamules]

We also should have a thread; Lenses that did NOT sell. Everyone see the Cooke being offered for $57,000? Or how about this Dallmeyer pentac for $3500....221402216760

[russyoung]

112830

I'm delighted someone got the Bodine but am amazed at the price. Mine came from an old camera store in Portland, about 1991, as part of a three lens group: a huge Dallmeyer Petzval, a pristine Voightlander Petzval and the Bodine. The owner wanted $500 for all three; we eventually settled on $300 for the three, the assigned value for the big Dallmeyer being $200. The other two were just his attic clearance lenses. Ahhhh, the old days. I traded the Voightlander to a friend for his 18 inch Spencer-Portland, which remains one of my favored shooting lenses.

[goamules]

That's a good story, of how it used to be Russ!

[Jim Galli]

I seem to have gotten in on the tail end of those days, and I'm thankful. I couldn't enjoy any of this stuff now it seems.


112830

I'm delighted someone got the Bodine but am amazed at the price. Mine came from an old camera store in Portland, about 1991, as part of a three lens group: a huge Dallmeyer Petzval, a pristine Voightlander Petzval and the Bodine. The owner wanted $500 for all three; we eventually settled on $300 for the three, the assigned value for the big Dallmeyer being $200. The other two were just his attic clearance lenses. Ahhhh, the old days. I traded the Voightlander to a friend for his 18 inch Spencer-Portland, which remains one of my favored shooting lenses.

[Geoffrey_5995]

Hi Russ, What's the focal length of your Bodine? Thanks, Geoff


112830

I'm delighted someone got the Bodine but am amazed at the price. Mine came from an old camera store in Portland, about 1991, as part of a three lens group: a huge Dallmeyer Petzval, a pristine Voightlander Petzval and the Bodine. The owner wanted $500 for all three; we eventually settled on $300 for the three, the assigned value for the big Dallmeyer being $200. The other two were just his attic clearance lenses. Ahhhh, the old days. I traded the Voightlander to a friend for his 18 inch Spencer-Portland, which remains one of my favored shooting lenses.

[pierre506]

dallmeyer 4B
$5788.88
271431594873

[russyoung]

Hi Russ, What's the focal length of your Bodine? Thanks, Geoff

GB-

From the flange to infinity focus is about 15.5 inches. Taking that, and the open diameter of 2.5 inches and matching it against the advertised specs, it must be a 17 inch lens. It easily covers 8x10, the largest format I shoot.

RY

[Mark Sawyer]

"Vintage Brass A. Darlot Adjustable Landscape Lens No. 0" (the Puyo & Pulligny, ebay 151261577090) for $426, one increment above mine. :(

This was the small one. Does anyone know the focal length ranges (yes I know, it's adjustable!) or recommended formats for the different Adjustable Landscape Lens sizes?

[Emil Schildt]

"Vintage Brass A. Darlot Adjustable Landscape Lens No. 0" (the Puyo & Pulligny, ebay 151261577090) for $426, one increment above mine. :(

This was the small one. Does anyone know the focal length ranges (yes I know, it's adjustable!) or recommended formats for the different Adjustable Landscape Lens sizes?

sorry to hear that...
But IF I had seen this, I would have offered more....


(I have promised to stay away for new old toys... but...)

[Geoffrey_5995]

Hi RY,

I have a Bodine but have forgotten the focal length. I'll check tomorrow and post the data here.

GB



GB-

From the flange to infinity focus is about 15.5 inches. Taking that, and the open diameter of 2.5 inches and matching it against the advertised specs, it must be a 17 inch lens. It easily covers 8x10, the largest format I shoot.

RY

[Mark Sawyer]

sorry to hear that...
But IF I had seen this, I would have offered more....


(I have promised to stay away for new old toys... but...)

If it had been a bigger one, I would have offered more! And probably still lost... :rolleyes:

We need our toys...

[Amedeus]

Voigtlander W.Z. Objektiv, 180mm, f/9, soft focus lens for $320 (BOBIN, 321364856181)

Nice looking Anachromatique d'atelier Mr. Le Ct Puyo 400mm f/5.6 for $1,379 (111305077211)

G. Rodenstock Soft Focus lens, 220mm, f/4 for $399 (151263117843)

[Steven Tribe]

This was the small one. Does anyone know the focal length ranges (yes I know, it's adjustable!) or recommended formats for the different Adjustable Landscape Lens sizes?

Certainly looks dainty - but how can it be large format with a 5cm lens in front?




Voigtlander W.Z. Objektiv, 180mm, f/9, soft focus lens for $320 (BOBIN, 321364856181)

This is an enlarger lens.


Nice looking Anachromatique d'atelier Mr. Le Ct Puyo 400mm f/5.6 for $1,379 (111305077211)

Not sure about this one. It has been on offer for some time, I recall - at a fixed price. I suppose the rear lens is a -ve. The S stamped on the rear lens cell suggests there were originally a pair of interchangeable cells.

[Mark Sawyer]

Certainly looks dainty - but how can it be large format with a 5cm lens in front?

With a negative element in the rear. Changing the spacing changes the focal length, so the Adjustable Landscape Lens is a "zoom" lens. I haven't found the effective ranges for the different sizes.


This is an enlarger lens.

The "W. Z." signifies "Weichzeichner", the German word for "blur". It's often used on soft filters like the Softar.

I've seen these referred to as soft enlarger lenses, but can't say much beyond that. Verito's were touted by Wollensak as being good for soft effects when used as enlarger lenses. If it's soft on the camera, it's soft on the enlarger, though the soft effect is reversed, as softening the negative image creates a gloom around dark objects instead of a glow around bright objects.

[Steven Tribe]

I've seen these referred to as soft enlarger lenses, but can't say much beyond that. Verito's were touted by Wollensak as being good for soft effects when used as enlarger lenses. If it's soft on the camera, it's soft on the enlarger, though the soft effect is reversed, as softening the negative image creates a gloom around dark objects instead of a glow around bright objects.

"referred to" is a bit weak. I have the original advert for the WZ. Sold as a budget enlarger lens, made in just the 180mm size. Closing the aperture makes it sharp. The lens x-section shows a periscope design, I think. On sale as late as 1934.


The second image is from Prochnow's book which shows more clearly it is a periscope design.

[Geoffrey_5995]

Hi RY,,

Found my Bodine. It's 11" focal length for 5x7.

Thanks, GB


Hi RY,

I have a Bodine but have forgotten the focal length. I'll check tomorrow and post the data here.

GB

[Amedeus]

Wollensak Verito 6 1/8" in Betax 3 shutter on lensboard for $730 (291110727279)

[Amedeus]

Black painted Hermagis Eidoscope #2, f/5 on lensboard for $1,091 (350968760210, BIN)

Dallmeyer 4D with flange for $1,776 (171295458044)

Wollensak Verito 11 1/5" attached to a Ansco 8x10 camera with Century No 1 stand for $799 (141248461065)

Cooke Portrait lens 13", f/5.6 Series VI with flange for $353 (141247817286)

Ilex Portrait 13", f/3/8 (Vitax) with flange for $720 (BOBIN, 321371991266)

Dallmeyer 3A on lensboard for $1,900 (121306846296)

Kodak Portrait 305mm, f/4.8 in Ilex No 5 Universal for $750 (BOBIN, 171275457572)

Nicola Perscheid 210mm for $5,663 (BIN, 171160515338)

Dallmeyer 5D as part of a lens set for $1,424 (181367059162)

[Steven Tribe]

Well, there was a single bargain!

Thanks for the continuing good work, Rudi.

[Jim Galli]

I think the Verito on the Century was a Pick up in their city at their place only. No shipping. That affects price very much. The seller would have been more wise to sell and ship the lens and throw the camera away.

[Steven Tribe]

The seller would have been more wise to sell and ship the lens and throw the camera away.

Definitely - that's why I have a current surplus of studio cameras/stands.
But I was thinking of another lens.

[andrehh]

Definitely - that's why I have a current surplus of studio cameras/stands.


If one of them is 30x40 and comes with two or three holders I can offer a pain relief.;)

[Steven Tribe]

Way off topic - but one of my recent " superfluous" purchases was indeed a(nother) very nice 30x40 reisekamera with two perfect condition double holders! This had obviously been used as Studio camera (size of the hole in the lens board!) but the giant Hermagis/Dallmeyer 4B had gone years ago!

[goamules]

On stands and 8x10 studio cameras, tell me about it! At one time I had about 6 8x10 studios, and almost all had their own stands. That last uncommon Scovill stand took the cake, I could barely give it away! Took me 6 months, and I think I sold it for $100 bucks when it came down to it. Yet you still see stands advertised for $800 and "rare." Or the seller totals up the absolute maximum for each item, and makes that their buy it now. "Let's see, those Verito 11" lenses "are selling" (BIN never sold) for $1000, and the stand is worth $500, and the camera has gotta be worth $500 - I'll ask $2000...."

[evan clarke]

Kalosat, which stood at $425 for days went for $3266.. 321376845128..

[Amedeus]

Kalosat IB for the record, covers 5x7 ... I have the IA and I love working with it in MF digital.

http://amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/11/kalosat-1a-f/4-5

http://amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog/2014/3/karl-struss-pictorial-lens-hanovia-laboratories-kalosat-lens-and-hermagis-eidoscope


Kalosat, which stood at $425 for days went for $3266.. 321376845128..

[Amedeus]

Dallmeyer 3A with flange and lens cap for $3,825 (BOBIN, 161167097445)

Kodak 3.5mm Portrait lens on lens board for $494 (131166057944)

Wollensak Verito 8 3/4" Diffused Focus lens in Betax No 5 shutter for $400 (BIN, 221416454836)

[lucaas]

11.5" Spencer Port-Land $777.99, 291133840611

[Amedeus]

Wollensak Verito 8 3/4" in Copal 3 shutter adapted for Pentax 67 for $629 (BIN, 261462158836)

Voigtlander Braunschweig Universal Heliar 30cm f4.5 in need of some TLC for $371 (221421048224)

[Steven Tribe]

Internet/Saleroom UK auction to-day (SAS - Special Auction Services).

Dallmeyer 3A. Front turn model. No iris anymore (this not uncommon with the front turn models - easiest to adapt to Waterhouse stops, perhaps?).
Brass rather ugly. $930 (including commission). Too much for a speculative buy, I thought!

Early type TT&H Cooke series 11, 10.4" for 5x7". Again, no iris! Very poor brass and seized soft mechanism.
$286 (inclusive fees). Just right for a speculative buy!

[uphereinmytree]

Kalosat lens amidst a Korona camera auction 1225$ #331187889370

[lucaas]

Spencer Port-Land 15 inch $999.99 #301175431432
PINKHAM & SMITH SYNTHETIC No. 4 Series V $2999.99, #301175426676

[pierre506]

Kodak 305 f4.5 Portrait lens $550
#271472248099

[evan clarke]

The Pinkham didn't last long, not enough time to convince my wife!

[Steven Tribe]

A voice of sanity is a good idea!

A surprising Cooke F4.5 10.5" sale (181394015367) at £219.99 (364 USD) - nothing wrong with listing. This suggests that there are not that many looking at the moment - even for standard soft lenses? Or perhaps, they need the spectacle/Knuckler version?

[Jim Galli]

The Pinkham didn't last long, not enough time to convince my wife!

Buy NOW, apologize later.

[Jody_S]

Buy NOW, apologize later.

That only works a few times. How many exactly depends on the wife.

[Amedeus]

There were quite a few "good" deals lately ... ups and downs ...

Another Cooke Series II 10.4", f/4.5 portrait lens for $500 (BIN, 291140685885)

[evan clarke]

Buy NOW, apologize later.

I'll tell ya..It was a little longer than I want. I'd really like to have a 9"..

[Steven Tribe]

This the 3rd soft adjustment Aldis series 0 in the last few years!

Quite a variation - 134GBP, 219.99GBP and now (261476525115) 13.5GBP! Lucky me.
This is the lens where the front lens screws out about 15mm and the focal length shortens a lot.

[lucaas]

Nice looking Dallmeyer 3A patent portrait lens with iris sold for $2150, 281339211897

[evan clarke]

I bought this lens eBay 380908380852. O.Simon which appears to have one lens element in the rear and an aperture wheel. Not even close to a Kronar, any ideas about what this lens is? Cheers, Evan

[Mark Sawyer]

Evan, it looks to be a little landscape lens from the 1880's or so. If you remove the wheel and front restrictor, it may make a very nice soft lens.

Not a soft lens, but an interesting early version of the Duto filter for soft effects for $49.99: 181406752332

[Steven Tribe]

Landscape (Portrait) meniscus. Perhaps the front baffle will unscrew?

Oscar Simon started in Potsdam (very near Berlin - a wonderful place to visit) and then relocated to Dresden. His production at Potsdam were the traditional range of the late 19th Century.

Mark can write quicker than I can!

[evan clarke]

Landscape (Portrait) meniscus. Perhaps the front baffle will unscrew?

Oscar Simon started in Potsdam (very near Berlin - a wonderful place to visit) and then relocated to Dresden. His production at Potsdam were the traditional range of the late 19th Century.

Mark can write quicker than I can!

Mark, Steven, It looks like the entire front will unscrew and make it pretty easy to uncork perhaps the lens element can screw in the front for a little playful experimenting. It looks to be in good shape. I'm in trouble, though, I bought a 360 Imagon, a Verito, a 305 Kodak and this lens in the last three weeks, wife might become angry...Thanks, Evan

[Steven Tribe]

Perhaps we ought to start a new thread - "Tactics, Arguments and Bargaining ideas to be used to justify whimsical Photographic purchases to Partners!"

[evan clarke]

Perhaps we ought to start a new thread - "Tactics, Arguments and Bargaining ideas to be used to justify whimsical Photographic purchases to Partners!"

Brilliant..You could moderate and talk to the spouses!!!

[Mark Sawyer]

Right: "Honey, this lens will enhance your natural beauty!"

Wrong: "Honey, this lens can make anyone look beautiful, even you!"

[evan clarke]

Ha! After a couple hundred lenses, no argument works..

[Amedeus]

Wollensak Velostigmatic 15 1/2", f/4.5 with flange for $449 (261477896674)

Wollensak Verito 6 1/8" f/4.5 with flange for $699 (BIN, 281322972887)

Wollensak Vitax 16", f/3.8 with flange for $1,000 (BIN, 301175435212)

Dallmeyer 3D, no flange for $791 (BIN, 301171576935)

Dallmeyer 4D, with flange for $1,320 (171320481922)

Dallmeyer 3B on lens board for $1,625 (331199283304)

Wollensak Verito, 7", f/4.5 in Studio Shutter for $625 (151299766200)

Cooke Portrait, Series IIa, 15", f3.5 in need of repair for $364 (121340637038)

[Amedeus]

Cooke Portrait lens, Series IIa, 9 1/2" at f/3.5 on lens board for $1,196 (331201713462)

Wollensak Veritar 14inch 356mm f/6 Soft Focus Portrait on lens board for $555 (BIN, 151306682462)

[goamules]

Trends. My background likes to look for trends. The prices are dutifully reported here every few days, for years. What is there to make of it?

What I've noticed is there has been a flattening of most soft focus lens prices, from the ever increasing levels of 2-3 years ago. A few still have spikes and higher averages....mostly the Cookes, which seem to the be the cult lens du jour now. But the other, great, SF lenses, like Veritars and Kodak 305 portraits seem to have returned or remained at the prices they were 5 years ago. Look at this list, everything is selling for about what I'd expect, in 2010. Yes, the Velostigmat seems low, but they seldom are appreciated, even giant ones. The Dallmeyer Ds are low, because everyone only clambers for the B model, and a little bit the A.


Wollensak Velostigmatic 15 1/2", f/4.5 with flange for $449 (261477896674)
Wollensak Verito 6 1/8" f/4.5 with flange for $699 (BIN, 281322972887)
Wollensak Vitax 16", f/3.8 with flange for $1,000 (BIN, 301175435212)
Dallmeyer 3D, no flange for $791 (BIN, 301171576935)
Dallmeyer 4D, with flange for $1,320 (171320481922)
Dallmeyer 3B on lens board for $1,625 (331199283304)
Wollensak Verito, 7", f/4.5 in Studio Shutter for $625 (151299766200)
Cooke Portrait, Series IIa, 15", f3.5 in need of repair for $364 (121340637038)

So other than an unusual low sale due a poor listing, or a very high due to a bidding war, things seem much more stable than 2011-2012. The cult lenses (today Cookes, Eidescops, and Dallmeyer Bs) still have unstable sales that vary as much as 50%. The rest vary about 15%-20%, which is to be expected for antique items. Stability means it is a predictable market. Instability means the opposite, usually a bubble. I just point that out because a couple years ago I warned a few "collector - dealers" to proceed with caution, because they were buying every lens they could find for any price, with resale in mind. The refrain was always "They're just going to cost double that in a year!....better buy while you can...." Well, the truth is, there are only so many people that want these lenses, which were made by the thousands. Supply and demand always rules. So it's interesting to have this many years data, so that you can see the longterm trends. Boom and bust, like many things.....

[Amedeus]

I tend to agree with Garrett here but since most of the data is off the auction site, there's something else I noticed ... BIN pricing that is set in favor of the buyer ... not everyone seems to know the existence of this data ;-) ... not complaining ... lol ... supply and demand will always set the pricing and it should be clear for anyone following this thread which lenses are in ample supply and which ones are truly rare

[Mark Sawyer]

One of the nice things about the list is that besides prices, it shows how common or rare lenses are. For example, the ever-popular Dallmeyer 3B had 28 sales listed. Still, it goes for around three times the price of much rarer lenses, such as the Boyer Opale, 2 sales listed in the same time period.


...A few still have spikes and higher averages....mostly the Cookes, which seem to the be the cult lens du jour now.

That I can understand. I think they had the best machining, best lacquer, an elegant design in the Cooke Triplet, and exceedingly nice glass ground to very high standards. Cooke's are pretty special, especially their portrait lenses.

[goamules]

You're right, their value is based on quality, not fad. They're good lenses.

[Emil Schildt]

rare? made a bid but was just overbid...

Boyer Opale 210 F4.5

260£ (ca 438$)

eBay item number:360936482830

[Mark Sawyer]

Wish I'd seen that Opale, though it's a bit short for me. Some things from Europe show up in my ebay searches, some (probably most) don't. I have a nice 300mm Opale waiting for me anyways! :)

Opale's are one of the few soft lenses that get their softness from chromatic rather than spherical aberration. I believe the usual crown-flint glass arrangement of the rear achromatic doublet was reversed.

And yes, pretty rare...

[Mark Sawyer]

A beautiful 15" f/4.5 Cooke Portrait Lens with the knuckler and an interesting history for $3,783.87, (321412196766)

[Amedeus]

A beautiful 15" f/4.5 Cooke Portrait Lens with the knuckler and an interesting history for $3,783.87, (321412196766)

Indeed a nice sample.

Brass Wollensack Verity 7" in working Studio Shutter for $300 (291155040974)

Wollensak Veritar, 14" f/6 on lens board for $563 (151311310934)

Wollensak Veritar, 14" f/6 in Alphax shutter with flange and original cap for $1,445 (BIN, 131180512412)

Wollensak 9.5" Velostigmat in Betaz 4, on lensboard for $294 (131193679017)

[lucaas]

Kodak Portrait Lens 405mm on Deardorff board, $1153, 191188147478

[goamules]

The Deardorff board must have added $300, that was a bit high!

[Jim Galli]

Well, shall we discuss the oddball P&S that has shown up on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pinkham-Smith-large-format-brass-lens-No-Reserve-Soft-focus-Convertible-/111368938121) here, or start a new thread?

I think it's probably before the soft focus era of P&S when they were re-branding Wolly products for sale in their large Boston store. I think it's a Wolly Rapid Symmetrical. We can all throw our guesses into the pond and see what floats to the top. Series III is the holy grail of soft focus era lenses, but it is definitely labeled as Semi Achromatic and is a large F4 lens.

Mods, move this if you think it's better as a stand alone.

[Mark Sawyer]

Well, shall we discuss the oddball P&S that has shown up on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pinkham-Smith-large-format-brass-lens-No-Reserve-Soft-focus-Convertible-/111368938121) here, or start a new thread?

I think it's probably before the soft focus era of P&S when they were re-branding Wolly products for sale in their large Boston store. I think it's a Wolly Rapid Symmetrical. We can all throw our guesses into the pond and see what floats to the top. Series III is the holy grail of soft focus era lenses, but it is definitely labeled as Semi Achromatic and is a large F4 lens.

Mods, move this if you think it's better as a stand alone.

I couldn't say what it is. The Wollensak Rapid Symmetrical was a Rapid Rectilinear, so the aperture size and time period would be right. Studying the photos where the lens is backlit, I don't see any signs of separation, which is near-universal on RR's, so perhaps a dialyt or periscope with single elements? Just stabs in the dark...

[Steven Tribe]

It must be re-badged lens when P & S were small "agents". Orthoplan doesn't exist, but there are lots of Ortho........ and ....plan.
Pehaps from Schulze & Billerbeck who made a long series of Euryplan lenses at about the right time around F6. Obviously, "Eury" would have been a no-go in the USA!

[Amedeus]

Photo-Era from September 1917 has a reference to 7" P&S Series III Orthoplan on page 153, right hand column, middle of the page. The owner of that lens also owned a few SA lenses ... One image in that number was made with the Orthoplan and as we all expect, not a soft focus lens ... just a rarity as it is hard to find anything online about it. The 1910 Pinkham and Smith catalog copy I have doesn't show this particular lens at all, so might be a later rebadged lens.

The "serial number" drew my attention as we've had a while back a suspicious SA lens with a similar serial number on the "rear" element ring (I know, there is only one element in the SA ... )

The Schulze & Billerbeck Euryplan Series III was made in f6.8, f7.5, or f7.7 ... so still a mystery to me if the Euryplan equates to the Orthoplan without evaluating the optical configuration ...


Well, shall we discuss the oddball P&S that has shown up on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pinkham-Smith-large-format-brass-lens-No-Reserve-Soft-focus-Convertible-/111368938121) here, or start a new thread?

I think it's probably before the soft focus era of P&S when they were re-branding Wolly products for sale in their large Boston store. I think it's a Wolly Rapid Symmetrical. We can all throw our guesses into the pond and see what floats to the top. Series III is the holy grail of soft focus era lenses, but it is definitely labeled as Semi Achromatic and is a large F4 lens.

Mods, move this if you think it's better as a stand alone.

[Jim Galli]

Thanks for the input Rudi. FWIW the machine work and front lettering looks like American Goerz. But the flange is definitely Wollensak which is why I started there.


Photo-Era from September 1917 has a reference to 7" P&S Series III Orthoplan on page 153, right hand column, middle of the page. The owner of that lens also owned a few SA lenses ... One image in that number was made with the Orthoplan and as we all expect, not a soft focus lens ... just a rarity as it is hard to find anything online about it. The 1910 Pinkham and Smith catalog copy I have doesn't show this particular lens at all, so might be a later rebadged lens.

The "serial number" drew my attention as we've had a while back a suspicious SA lens with a similar serial number on the "rear" element ring (I know, there is only one element in the SA ... )

The Schulze & Billerbeck Euryplan Series III was made in f6.8, f7.5, or f7.7 ... so still a mystery to me if the Euryplan equates to the Orthoplan without evaluating the optical configuration ...

[Amedeus]

Good observation about the Goerz style lettering ... the Dagor was incidentally Goerz's Series III ... just throwing it out there ... need to see optical config to be sure ...


Thanks for the input Rudi. FWIW the machine work and front lettering looks like American Goerz. But the flange is definitely Wollensak which is why I started there.

[Steven Tribe]

I didn't think the series III meant anything - I was thinking of the other Euryplan series (II, IV etc.).
The engraving style could be a copy of what was selling best in the USA or, perhaps, that P&S ordered a batch of rings from American Goerz?

I can't think of any confirmed Goerz lenses being sold under another badge - lots of copies, though!

[lucaas]

Emill Busch Nicola Perscheid Protrat Objectiv 36cm f/4.5, $2450 (301203090875)

[Jim Fitzgerald]

We also should have a thread; Lenses that did NOT sell. Everyone see the Cooke being offered for $57,000?

We can not assume that a lens has not sold because it is not offered here or elsewhere. I happen to know that the Cooke sold for MORE and is headed to Europe to a famous fashion photographer. There are many people out there with a lot of money to spend and those of us who wish we could own some of these amazing lenses. Are they worth what we are paying? To some money is not a problem.

[goamules]

And for all those reported here, there are a half dozen that slip by unnoticed. Some go for much less than the average reported here.

[Amedeus]

Voigtlander Weichzeichner (soft focus) 180mm f/8 for $400 (BOBIN, 321350427353)

Wollensak Verito 9" in Copal 3 shutter on lensboard for $870 (331214428996)

Wollensak Verito 18" + 22 1/4" extension lens on lensboard for $1,600 (301200932672)

Cooke Portrait lens, 240mm, f/3.5 with flange for $1,500 (BOBIN, 400672851025)

Hermagis Eidoscope #2, f/5 (black) no flange for $1,100 (BOBIN, 371061026560)

Hermagis Eidoscope #3, f/5 in brass with flange and hood for $1,530 (BIN,

[jesse]

Voigtlander Weichzeichner (soft focus) 180mm f/8 for $400 (BOBIN, 321350427353)
The only one soft focus lens from Voigtlander.

[Tri Tran]

We also should have a thread; Lenses that did NOT sell. Everyone see the Cooke being offered for $57,000?

We can not assume that a lens has not sold because it is not offered here or elsewhere. I happen to know that the Cooke sold for MORE and is headed to Europe to a famous fashion photographer. There are many people out there with a lot of money to spend and those of us who wish we could own some of these amazing lenses. Are they worth what we are paying? To some money is not a problem.

Thanks for the update Jim. This 800mm E Francais also gone while ago . I do have another one just like that in case if you need it in the future.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/842/s4ay1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nes4ay1j)

[Steven Tribe]

The only one soft focus lens from Voigtlander

Not for Voigtländer! This one size periscope was an enlarger lens. The flange thread has the standard enlarger size too!

[Jim Galli]

Well, shall we discuss the oddball P&S that has shown up on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pinkham-Smith-large-format-brass-lens-No-Reserve-Soft-focus-Convertible-/111368938121) here, or start a new thread?

I think it's probably before the soft focus era of P&S when they were re-branding Wolly products for sale in their large Boston store. I think it's a Wolly Rapid Symmetrical. We can all throw our guesses into the pond and see what floats to the top. Series III is the holy grail of soft focus era lenses, but it is definitely labeled as Semi Achromatic and is a large F4 lens.

Mods, move this if you think it's better as a stand alone.

A bit more on this Pinkham Smith lens supplied by the owner. He was kind enough to send photos. We discovered it is 8 glass 4 group which is correct for the 1910 - ish Wollensak Series 1 anastigmat. A great lens but not a soft focus one. I think there is a very good chance that this is one of those. The f6.3 is also a match with that lens. So lens construction, f no., and flange all lead to this conclusion that the lens is a re-branded Wollensak Series I lens. Still a guess, albeit a somewhat more educated one.

Best of luck to seller and buyer. Ignorance is bliss at ebay and any lens that has Pinkham engraved on it some place will command more than it's equivalents. Thanks to the seller for at least wanting to inform his buyers who are reading here.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Thanks for the update Jim. This 800mm E Francais also gone while ago . I do have another one just like that in case if you need it in the future.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/842/s4ay1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nes4ay1j)

NOw that is a lens we need to talk about!

[Jim Graves]

I don't think you need to talk about that lens ... I think that lens is capable of talking for itself.

[jesse]

Not for Voigtländer! This one size periscope was an enlarger lens. The flange thread has the standard enlarger size too!

Oh really, the flange thread size around 43mm. Found an article about this. 116464

[Steven Tribe]

There are lots of comments on-line about the WZ. All of them repeating something they have seen somewhere else on the net. Auction listing descriptions are often without real insight and knowledge - they just can't use enough time (and money) on decent research and still make a profit.

I have posted original catalogue entries here before and will not repeat the exercise!

- it was a low price periscope.
- sold for "soft effects" on normal negatives in an enlarger.
- F.9 and just the 18cm size.
- catalogue entries from 1926 - 1934.

[Steven Tribe]

Some results from a Swedish live (saleroom and web) today. Prices are with approx. 20% commission included.

Perscheid 42cm - quite nice - with flange on lens board. 1534.50 USD.

Imagon boxed set 250mm with Hasselblad adapter/bellows. 286 USD.

Imagon - only a single sieve with yellow filter - 42cm. 505.50 USD

[vitality]

Is that a Dallmeyer 3B without sleeve and hood? 380929266033 Sold for 405USD.
Or someone else did the same type rear group?

[Steven Tribe]

Yes!

and ...

there were others, but not with the characteristic round file marks.

Not exactly a "dream" seller though - even within the UK!

[Amedeus]

I'm a bit behind ...

Wollensak Verito 18" barrel lens (no shutter) with flange for $1,257 (BIN, 281369111670)

Graf Variable Anastigmat 21-24" at f/4.5-5.6 with flange for $899 (360967843868)

Taylor-Hobson Cooke Series II B f/4.5, 12 3/4" portrait knuckler lens with flange for $1,300 (BOBIN, 301224150753)

Kodak 16" Portrait Lens with cap on lens board for $833 (331238723386)

Taylor-Hobson Cooke Series VI f/5.6, 13" portrait lens with flange for $398 (121362453523)

Kodak Portrait lens 305mm, f/4.8 in Universal #5 on Sinar board for $980 (BOBIN, 301193639535)

Wollensak Verito, 9" in Betax No 5 shutter for $395 (351095827601)

Ilex Paragon 12" f/4.5 series A in shutter for $400 (291163444241)

Ilex Paragon 12" f/4.5 series A in shutter for $321 (141317493307)

Bausch & Lomb Plastigmat 15", f/5.6 Portrait Lens for $594 (221456732183) ... this one has front and rear glass

Dallmeyer 2B with flange and WHS for $1,150 (141311579914)

Dallmeyer 3B on lens board for $1,750 (121354024530)

Kodak 305mm Portrait lens in Ilex No 5 shutter for $945 (BOBIN, 141148973118)

Kodak 16" Portrait lens, iris missing a blade, flange included for $1,575 (321422228791) ... the camera was not included ...

Dallmeyer 3D with flange for $515 (331221307484)

[goamules]

Cooke's is up, Verito's is down.
Stocks are up, bonds are down.

[Jim Galli]

Cooke's is up, Verito's is down.
Stocks are up, bonds are down.

I quite agree. Good time to buy the venerable Verito, and I did just that the other day!

[goamules]

Yeah, I have to put my 9" ones in 6-pack rings now, I have so many!

[Jac@stafford.net]

Another: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121366759370?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

I like the patina, but wonder how it was achieved.
.

[Amedeus]

Not a soft focus lens ...

[Jac@stafford.net]

Not a soft focus lens ...

Really? Have you used one?
.

[taulen]

Still not a soft focus.

[Steven Tribe]

Some comments!:

- not a soft focus lens!

- a current listing on Ebay!!

- serial number is 25,xxx which is about halfway through the pre-Euryskop period. These are (from linited experience) slightly slower than the later series IV no.7 which have efl of 24.5" F6. Coverage is probably greater than the 20x24" given.

[analoguey]

Is 400739651770 a soft focus lens?

[CCHarrison]

" http://www.ebay.com/itm/121366759370?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 "


The lens is a "Euryscope", c. 1878, 4 element rectilinear designed lens with an f/7.75 aperture. The black bands on the lens are an easy way to identify these as being there "standard" rapid rectilinear lens. Later on, Voigtlander would also make an extra rapid version which was f/6.

And of course, this early version didnt feature Schott/Jena glass. I believe it is model 7 with 27 inch back focus, 4 1/3 diameter lenses, covers 20x24 in landscape (stopped down) or 18x22 portrait (wide open)*

Also see attached announcement of the "Euryscopes" from June 1877 - Photographic News.

Dan


*Per 1882 Walzl dealer catalog entry


118087

[CCHarrison]

Is 400739651770 a soft focus lens?

Yes, that sized lens should have the "diffusing adjustment" see http://antiquecameras.net/softfocuslenses2.html half way down the page

Dan

[Steven Tribe]

400739651770!

See antiquecameras.net - the section on soft lens 2.

400739651770 is a 12" series II - but I can't see the numbered front adjustment ring! So perhaps we should say "that some of the 3 largest sizes of series II had defusion adjustment".

Again, a current listing - bad show!

[Jac@stafford.net]

Ah, so it is not a soft-focus lens. Thank you all for the correction. When I used one the outcome was soft compared to modern lenses, but still not a true soft-focus lens.

...and sorry for pointing to a current auction.
--
Jac

118091

[Andrew Plume]

this Dallmeyer lens looks as though it's been seriously 'over cleaned', comparable to the lenses sold on eBay by one **** ****

andrew

[analoguey]

400739651770!

See antiquecameras.net - the section on soft lens 2.

400739651770 is a 12" series II - but I can't see the numbered front adjustment ring! So perhaps we should say "that some of the 3 largest sizes of series II had defusion adjustment".

No idea, I was only asking! :)


Again, a current listing - bad show!

Wait, so you mean, only ended items listed here? :-/
I thought the idea was to share more info on soft-focus lenses being sold?

[Steven Tribe]

It is the norm here to only mention items that have spectacular interest (and often speculative and spectacular prices), which are "not identifiable through usual sources", or items which someone thinks as being non-kosher - either the item or the description.

Apart from the fact that all items are subject to competitive bidding and some may feel their chances are diminished and their efforts in Ebay searches/item research are wasted, there is also the problem of "possible" connection with the item lister.

I am not particularly concerned about these particular items as they are well described (meaning easy to find) - even if price levels are beyond the realm of the reason!

This section functions as a very useful continuing tutorial for all of us, but the best inputs are sold items (both Ebay, other auctions and here in the For Sale section).

[Darren Kruger]

Wait, so you mean, only ended items listed here? :-/

This thread is to track sale prices of lenses that were designed to be soft focus. Auctions or sale offers that ended with no buyer are excluded since they do not indicate what people are willing to pay for such lenses. I believe one of the original posters in the thread collates the prices in a table someplace.

I believe it is against the forum rules to post still active auctions to prevent a flood of such posts though the moderators would be better able to comment on official policy.

-Darren

[Mark Sawyer]

Read the first post in this thread, and check the link. That explains all.

[Andrew Plume]

I have no contact/interest with either the lens or the seller

andrew

[Tin Can]

Known auction sales are the only possible reliable sales source, as Steven Tribe points out. I have bought several SF lenses privately and do not think my purchases are useful here as they are not verifiable.

Auctions are known to have shill buyers and Ebay seems rife with price experimentation.

[goamules]

Back to that 12" Velostigmat. No, they are not all soft focus. Many of them don't have the diffuser feature, as this one appears not to. If it does not, it's a simple Tessar type, and not soft focus. I read the above answer 24 hours ago and looked at the lens, and quickly determined it was not the soft version, but didn't want to interfere. But then I thought I better, because people would get pretty upset buying 12" Velostigmats thinking they are all diffusable, to discover the one they bought is not.

[ndg]

Item Nr: 400740236943, Jamin Cone, prob 24", just went for $13900! Know the seller, inspected it yesterday, amazing condition. Whoever got it has a gem. I hope is someone who will use it!

[8x10 user]

It was $18,999, I just called chuck to congratulate him.

[ndg]

OMG! You are right! I missed the jump. Wow! Will call him shortly too.

[Tin Can]

Now that's a lens! I am impressed with size, rarity and of course price.

I would love to see images from it, and not online, but prints up close and personal.

[goamules]

I like these iconic Cone Centralizers. Not sure why they fell off the fashion list the past few years. But a 24" Petzval always get's peoples attention! I wonder what my 23" CC Harrison Mammoth is worth these days?

[Brassai]

I have a 12 in. Velostigmat in Betax. HUGE Betax! Anyway, mine does not have the diffusion ring but it's very very smooth wide open anyway. I've always thought the regular Velostigmats to be way under appreciated.

[Steven Tribe]

SAS auction in the UK yesterday.

Lot 149 - Dallmeyer 3D complete with flange/rear adjustment inclusive fees 725 usd.

Whilst we are using space on huge non-soft items, Lot 148 was a 13" (length) Voigtländer Euryskop IV no. 8. Focal length is 32" and coverage is 30x36". 4,841 usd.

[Emil Schildt]

Item Nr: 400740236943, . Whoever got it has a gem.!

I have one - a little younger I think... And maybe not that big (haven't mesured the FL) - I think I got lucky... I payed about 500$ for it a couple of years ago... I wonder if I should sell it...

[Steven Tribe]

Perhaps this might be of interest, before it disppears for ever!

Current listing - but the starting price is so way above what we would pay, that mention here cannot be said to influence bidding!
Free shipping and the vendor will deliver personally "if you live at a nice place"!

Classified as a cone lens too! Large 1842 verres combiné 111410591717.

[goamules]

Yeah, it's been listed for at least 4 cycles now. He keeps coming down $2,000 or so each week. Now at $55,000, my prediction is he will sell it in 26 and a half weeks. So we'll see in 6 months. The last few of these sold for about 2-4K. I could have bought one two years ago for $2K.

[Mark Sawyer]

$471 for a Series VI 8x10 f/5.6 13.1 inch Cooke Portrait Lens. From the engraving style, it may be a very early one, but hard to say for sure. Pretty dirty, but it had the flange and might clean up pretty well. Or not, could be fungus-ridden, hard to tell...

171381347240

[Jim Noel]

Recent purchase - ROC Single Lens, 4x5, $5.00.

[Jim Galli]

I have a 12 in. Velostigmat in Betax. HUGE Betax! Anyway, mine does not have the diffusion ring but it's very very smooth wide open anyway. I've always thought the regular Velostigmats to be way under appreciated.

Me too. Poor man's Heliar.

[andrehh]

Dallmeyer 4D without flange USD 1280 (271532123842)

Dallmeyer 3B without iris but including a camera EUR 990 (111400858640)

[Steven Tribe]

Dallmeyer 3B without iris but including a camera EUR 990 (111400858640)

Fortunately the iris mechanism is there - just needs new leaves!

This was a nice set for wet plate. The perfect lens and a good selection of original backs and plate holders.

[pierre506]

Fortunately the iris mechanism is there - just needs new leaves!

This was a nice set for wet plate. The perfect lens and a good selection of original backs and plate holders.

Yep, I checked the lens. Only the aperture leaves were missing. But I don't know how to get the similar leaves because the diameter of the barrel is so big.
I will refinished the vintage camera if I found similar camera pictures because it also missed some metal parts.

[Steven Tribe]

My gut feeling tells me that the bigger the missing leaves - the easier it is to make replacements!

I know that there is a recent thread on laser cutting of leaves - but this is not for me. I have a current project where I have the same problem with the iris on a Cooke series II. I have purchased sheet brass (0.010" thickness) which I will cut to size. My gut also tells me that the placing of the pins doesn't have to be that precise! More in DIY in a month or so!

[pierre506]

My gut feeling tells me that the bigger the missing leaves - the easier it is to make replacements!

I know that there is a recent thread on laser cutting of leaves - but this is not for me. I have a current project where I have the same problem with the iris on a Cooke series II. I have purchased sheet brass (0.010" thickness) which I will cut to size. My gut also tells me that the placing of the pins doesn't have to be that precise! More in DIY in a month or so!
I used to cut fully exposed color sheet film to instead of 2 missing leaves of my VITAX 16in lens. It's quite good.
However, I did not decide to make all the aperture of Dallmeyer 3B.
The fixing of the pins may be difficult.

[evan clarke]

Back to that 12" Velostigmat. No, they are not all soft focus. Many of them don't have the diffuser feature, as this one appears not to. If it does not, it's a simple Tessar type, and not soft focus. I read the above answer 24 hours ago and looked at the lens, and quickly determined it was not the soft version, but didn't want to interfere. But then I thought I better, because people would get pretty upset buying 12" Velostigmats thinking they are all diffusable, to discover the one they bought is not.

Jeez, I was in Louisville week before last and didn't have time to go see Chuck! I would have liked to see the lens.

[Emil Schildt]

made a couple of bids - didn't get it...

HYPERION DIFFUSION F: 4 , 9 inch. No. 119308

369£

151359458340

[pierre506]

made a couple of bids - didn't get it...

HYPERION DIFFUSION F: 4 , 9 inch. No. 119308

369£

151359458340
Pity~
A zero feedback won it.

[Amedeus]

Wollensak Velistigmat 12", f4.5 Series II for $405 (281386877063)

Wollensak Veritar, 10", f6 for $310 (141354929336)

Wollensak Verito 11 1/2", f4 for $394 (251594287281)

Dallmeyer 3A for $3,825 (BOBIN, 281375981401)

Wollensak Verito 11 1/2", f4 for $307 (231283299459)

Black Hermagis Eidoscope #3 with flange for $934 (BOBIN, 271541776637)

Dallmeyer 4D with iris for $1,679 (151344971314)

Brass Hermagis Eidoscope #3 with flange for $847 (171375805456)

Kodak Portrait Lens 405mm on Deardorf lensboard for $1,500 (BOBIN, 150978949418)

Wollensak Veritar 10", f6 in orignal lens box for $425 (BIN, 251579175449)

Brass Dallmeyer 4D, no flange for $1,280 (271532123842)

Wollensak Velostigmat Series II, 12" in Alphax #5 shutter for #257 (201116914744)

Kodak Portrait Lens, 305mm on Cambo lensboard in Ilex #5 shutter for $850 (181446298185)

Dallmeyer 3D with flange for $975 (BOBIN, 251289863337)

Wollensak Veritar 14" with flange, cap and booklet for $450 (BIN, 291169432660)

[Darren Kruger]

Wollensak Velostigmat Series II, 12" in Alphax #5 shutter for $257 (201116914744)

This lens does not appear to have the diffusion ring.

-Darren

[Amedeus]

Yep, you're right ... I missed that clearly ...


This lens does not appear to have the diffusion ring.

-Darren

[brandon13]

Dallmeyer 5d Brass with iris. No flange and seller states soft focus is seized. $1200.00 121410885228

[8x10 user]

18" Cooke achromatic portrait lens $1127 380991440218

I was outbid and should have bid more. Hopefully Karma will come around and I will find another... I feel the world owes me one of these after that guy in Arizona defrauded me.

[Scott Davis]

Via private sale: Hermagis Eidoscope 14" f5 - $1000. Had original flange and one original waterhouse stop. Brass barrel is in excellent condition with minimal marks and tarnish. Lens hood has no dents, scratches, or major blemishes. Glass is clean and clear.

[brandon13]

Dallmeyer 5d very worn brass. No hood. $545.00 331315423599

[Emil Schildt]

Don't know how to put a price of this:

Oscar Simon Kronar 300mm 4.5

Price: a Bromoil Print from me..... :D

[alex from holland]

you paid way too much !!! ;)

[Darren Kruger]

Bausch and Lomb 12" F5 Portrait lens $371.66 item #131299128082

[MrDen]

Bausch and Lomb 12" F5 Portrait lens $371.66 item #131299128082

What about this one, was it worth the price?

[goamules]

Yes. People buy camera bags more expensive than this. A heavy brass, wonderfully engraved, adjustable diffusion lens from one of the great American makers, that you may see one or two for sale a year is worth a lot more. A better question is why is a Dallmeyer 3B that you see 50 times a year worth $2,000?

[Gundlach]

A better question is why is a Dallmeyer 3B that you see 50 times a year worth $2,000?

Must be the accent. ;)

[MrDen]

Yes. People buy camera bags more expensive than this. A heavy brass, wonderfully engraved, adjustable diffusion lens from one of the great American makers, that you may see one or two for sale a year is worth a lot more. A better question is why is a Dallmeyer 3B that you see 50 times a year worth $2,000?

I don't find much about this type of lens.
I tried to make that thread, but obviously no one cares: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?116794-Bausch-amp-Lomb-Portrait-5x7-f5-12-inch
Seems, that, the same kind of lens can go for 2000$ sometimes too...

[Gundlach]

I don't find much about this type of lens.
I tried to make that thread, but obviously no one cares: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?116794-Bausch-amp-Lomb-Portrait-5x7-f5-12-inch
Seems, that, the same kind of lens can go for 2000$ sometimes too...

Here is what you seek

http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1904b&lporrtraitlenses.htm

[MrDen]

Here is what you seek

http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1904b&lporrtraitlenses.htm

Already wrote that.
What i want is the advices from you large format photographer.
:)

[goamules]

Ok, here: it is the best lens ever made, and quite versatile.

[Tin Can]

Lol

[MrDen]

Ok, here: it is the best lens ever made, and quite versatile.

Are we talking about professionnal photography, and good advices for colleagues?
No need to be sarcastic.
I bought this lens, i'd like to know where i'm going with this.
Simple as that.

[Tin Can]

I don't know. I know very little about these lenses. I am learning with my wallet.

What I do know is, lately people come in here and DEMAND answers to their questions and ask other people to figure things out for them.

This is not a school, it is a very loose collection of individuals that choose to write notes to each other. Sometimes we send each other pictures. Most people simply lurk.

I for one, never respond to demands, I gave that up when I retired. :)

[MrDen]

I don't know. I know very little about these lenses. I am learning with my wallet.

What I do know is, lately people come in here and DEMAND answers to their questions and ask other people to figure things out for them.

This is not a school, it is a very loose collection of individuals that choose to write notes to each other. Sometimes we send each other pictures. Most people simply lurk.

I for one, never respond to demands, I gave that up when I retired. :)

This is because it's a question of time.
It was not a demand, sorry about this :)
And for brass lenses, maybe i need to go (again) at school yes ^^

[djdister]

What about this one, was it worth the price?

No, it is not.

[Jim Galli]

This is because it's a question of time.
It was not a demand, sorry about this :)
And for brass lenses, maybe i need to go (again) at school yes ^^

This is an important thread for many of us. Therefore please don't clutter it up with a bunch of chatter. Take it off line. If you aren't posting about a true soft focus lens that has sold at a real price, this is not the place.

Petzval's, even though many had a soft focus feature, are not really considered "soft focus" lenses by folks who are serious. It was mostly a marketing ploy 100 years ago. They are a poor choice for making soft focus pictures.

[goamules]

Do you know this lens Bausch & Lomb Portrait 5x7 f5/12 inch.
I found this (see photo), but i don't know if this is the same as this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/15-F-4-Petzval-Bausch-and-Lomb-Portrait-Lens-with-adjustable-soft-focus-brass/191297934240?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140620075055%26meid%3Dcab6c07379fc4209b7affb9c81af4e0f%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140620075055%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D281098415522
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Bausch-Lomb-Portrait-12-Inch-f-4-Fast-Portrait-Soft-Focus-Brass-Lens-5x8/351176937008?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140620075055%26meid%3Dcab6c07379fc4209b7affb9c81af4e0f%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140620075055%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D281098415522
Why so expensive, and what is the particularity of this lens?
Best regards

122419


Are we talking about professionnal photography, and good advices for colleagues?
No need to be sarcastic.
I bought this lens, i'd like to know where i'm going with this.
Simple as that.

I see the seller has had to relist the lens, because of an unpaying buyer. 131312929089

A little hint: research something you are going to buy first, before bidding. It's unethical to buy, then decide you don't want to pay after doing some investigation.

[Steven Tribe]

Starting with to-night's Oscar Simon's 450mm f4 Kronar. Which is a true duplicate of the Plasticca. Yellow rear filter missing?

£520 - item 151435113721. These are not seen every year.

A very basic Dallmeyer 3B, that is, without any lens cells - together with some more brass items - £302. There is a market in parts 3Bs! Item 301343585792.

Clean, complete, ditto - £1,580 item 331336374105. This is the first one for some time, I think.

[Geoffrey_5995]

Steve, I would say the Kronar is not a true duplicate of the Plasticca. I now have three Kronars and not one has the yellow filter. The one I just purchased, from the pictures, looks like it has it's rear glass intact which is not yellow and might have a positive power like one I have or a neutral power like the other one. I would contend that the Kronar is similar to the Plasticca but has been reformulated in some way. There's still a lot to learn about these lenses.

[Mark Sawyer]

Duplicates are never the same...

[Steven Tribe]

I have never ha the pleasure of owning both, like you, Geoffrey, and Emil (Gandolfi)! So it mostly a question of guesswork. Emil started a new thread last month and talked about making a a comparison, so I'll continue there. Gandolfi has mentioned that the kronar had the yellow filter, whilst the kronarette did not.

[MrDen]

I see the seller has had to relist the lens, because of an unpaying buyer. 131312929089

A little hint: research something you are going to buy first, before bidding. It's unethical to buy, then decide you don't want to pay after doing some investigation.

Yes i asked him to cancel the transaction and relist it, simply as that.
Cause everybody here told me not to go :(

[Louis Pacilla]

Yes i asked him to cancel the transaction and relist it, simply as that.
Cause everybody here told me not to go :(

What is your eBay name so I can put you on my DO NOT DO BUSINESS W/. This was your fault for not doing your due diligence. Plus I don't think you had bid more then the lens was worth. under $400 USD, right? Please don't do this to a seller again. You bid & win You PAY.

The trick is to ask the questions then bid, Not bid then ask questions along w/ speculation as you looked up somewhat similar lenses w/ BIN prices way higher then your bid. You WANTED to "STEAL a deal" & when it was just a fair deal you had no more interest & left the seller to have to do the work again. Shame on you MrDen.

[Geoffrey_5995]

Steven, I'll respond in the other thread later this evening also after I've had a chance to examine my Kronars, though I'm waiting for the latest one to arrive. I did make a post with images with comparisons on Emil's thread, if I remember correctly.

[Emil Schildt]

I have never ha the pleasure of owning both, like you, Geoffrey, and Emil (Gandolfi)! So it mostly a question of guesswork. Emil started a new thread last month and talked about making a a comparison, so I'll continue there. Gandolfi has mentioned that the kronar had the yellow filter, whilst the kronarette did not.

true - My Kronar (300mm) has the yellow filter. I am going to make comparizons on the three and see what I see....

[Geoffrey_5995]

I meant to post in the other thread but there seems to be more interest here.

This is what I wrote on another thread about this class of lenses I also provided some pictures of the lenses:

"Steven, I was able to find my 600mm / f4 Wauckosin. It has the serial #16034. It has a rear single glass which has zero power and no yellow tint. I should note that the rear glass is not as recessed as the rear glass on the 500mm / f4 Wauckosin serial# 16000 which has a negative un-tinted single rear glass. Attached are some pictures showing my two Wauckosins along side my 600mm / f4 Oscar Zwierzina Plasticca Series B Kunst-Portrait-Objectiv"

Granted, my two lenses are Wauckosin and not O. Simon but all are called Kronar. The O. Simon on its way, is also called Kronar. The Wauckosins are marked Frankfurt but this doesn't mean they were manufactured there. It's possible these were distributed by Wauckosin, a photographic equipment supplier in Frankfort in the 1930s, and not produced by them. The O. Simon in the mail is marked Kronar and Dresden. It's possible O. Simon made them for Wauckosin for distribution or for retail sales.I've not seen a Kronarette and to my knowledge, I've not heard of other owners of these lenses checking the positive or negative power of the rear lens elements. It's also possible that the yellow filtered glass has a + or - power. It's possible that the yellow was removed from the 600mm Kronar but I see no evidence of this . There are still many questions to answer about these lenses and it appears that there was some lens redesign in these lenses, certainly since there are powered lenses in the rear. It's also possible the yellow filter was discontinued with the increasing use of panchormatic film. From what I understand, Kodak ceased production of orthochromatic film in 1930. There's still a great deal to learn about these interesting lenses and some ads or primary source material would make the job much easier. Everything else is just speculation. I'm hoping the O. Simon lens I just purchased will provide some more clues.

[Geoffrey_5995]

I should also add that there is considerable construction differences between Plasticcas and the Wauckosin lenses I have. Waucks are much larger and heavier. I still need to take a look at the thickness of the main achromats of these lenses. The Waucks look to be much thicker and I should also look at the glue lines and where they fall.

[Steven Tribe]

Now all this is super interesting!

I have seen Plasticca rear cells where the yellow layer is in bad condition, just like other sandwich constructions in normal front screw-in filters. So I thought that this was the exaplanation for the dearth of complete lenses. And the plain glass rear cell has been spilt, yellow deposit removed and reassembled.

[Geoffrey_5995]

Steven, I think we need to look at these lenses in a different way. Of course I have the benefit of having many of these lenses to examine but to me it looks like there was development and reformulation involved and not just the re-manufacture from the various firms that took over from Oscar Zwierzina. Also, they all don't shoot the same. Of the several Oscars that I have they tend to shoot sharper than the Kronars and display less aberrations. The Kronars are definitely more extreme. It should also be noted that the recommendation for the use of these lenses by Oscar Zwierzina was to use only the sharper center of the lens and and for much smaller plates then the lens could cover. So, for whole plate 16" and 18" focal length lenses are recommended.123354 I've not seen a yellow filter where the yellow tint was not sandwiched so a clear rear glass would not indicate to me a wiped away yellow filter. It's not an easy process of removing the yellow so perhaps the whole yellow glass group was replaced when it went bad by a clear glass but this seems unlikely to me. I do have several Plasticcas with yellow filters that have degraded and all are sandwiched. I'm curious to know more about Emil's Kronars and the type of yellow filters they have. I don't have any Kronars with yellow filters. Hoe about the Kronarette, does it have a yellow filter? Each lens and observation helps in decoding these lenses, especially since we have no literature. From the literature I've read on the camera eccentric site it does not describe these lenses are being for the amateur, though it does offer recommendations for its use to amateurs. This only come as after describing the lens for professional studious to reduce post shooting retouching. There is a price sheet but no prices so I'm not convinced that these were inexpensive lenses of their time. The catalog indicates, for professional studios, the lens will pay for itself by reducing post production or pictorial applications like carbon, bromiol, etc.:123351123352123353

[Emil Schildt]

Steven, I think we need to look at these lenses in a different way. Of course I have the benefit of having many of these lenses to examine but to me it looks like there was development and reformulation involved and not just the re-manufacture from the various firms that took over from Oscar Zwierzina. Also, they all don't shoot the same. Of the several Oscars that I have they tend to shoot sharper than the Kronars and display less aberrations. The Kronars are definitely more extreme. It should also be noted that the recommendation for the use of these lenses by Oscar Zwierzina was to use only the sharper center of the lens and and for much smaller plates then the lens could cover. So, for whole plate 16" and 18" focal length lenses are recommended.123354 I've not seen a yellow filter where the yellow tint was not sandwiched so a clear rear glass would not indicate to me a wiped away yellow filter. It's not an easy process of removing the yellow so perhaps the whole yellow glass group was replaced when it went bad by a clear glass but this seems unlikely to me. I do have several Plasticcas with yellow filters that have degraded and all are sandwiched. I'm curious to know more about Emil's Kronars and the type of yellow filters they have. I don't have any Kronars with yellow filters. Hoe about the Kronarette, does it have a yellow filter? Each lens and observation helps in decoding these lenses, especially since we have no literature. From the literature I've read on the camera eccentric site it does not describe these lenses are being for the amateur, though it does offer recommendations for its use to amateurs. This only come as after describing the lens for professional studious to reduce post shooting retouching. There is a price sheet but no prices so I'm not convinced that these were inexpensive lenses of their time. The catalog indicates, for professional studios, the lens will pay for itself by reducing post production or pictorial applications like carbon, bromiol, etc.:123351123352123353

By just looking at the lenses:

My Plasticca 280mm has a (damaged) yellow filter - at the front; not the back....

My Kronar has a yellow filter at the back (degraded - it is a faint yellow compared to the Plasticca)

My Kronarette has a clear looking glass at the back - whether it used to be a yellow filter I don't know...

PS: If you're right about the Kronar to be wilder than the Plasticca, then it must be VERY wild... looking foreward to give them a go and compare....

[Geoffrey_5995]

Emil,

Can you please check to see if any of your Kronars and Kronarette has a powered rear glass, especially the Kronarette since it has a clear glass. Thanks, Geoff



By just looking at the lenses:

My Plasticca 280mm has a (damaged) yellow filter - at the front; not the back....

My Kronar has a yellow filter at the back (degraded - it is a faint yellow compared to the Plasticca)

My Kronarette has a clear looking glass at the back - whether it used to be a yellow filter I don't know...

PS: If you're right about the Kronar to be wilder than the Plasticca, then it must be VERY wild... looking foreward to give them a go and compare....

[Mark Sawyer]

Somebody got a heck of a buy on a 14" Goerz Hypar (with a studio stand and 8x10 camera!) for $995...

161453555696

(I'd call this price outside the norm, but it's nice to see the occasional bargain is still out there...)

[lucaas]

Darlot trousse anachromatique d'atelier de Mr le Ct Puyo lens 161453223015 AND
Darlot adjustable landscape lens N°2 de Mr L. de Pulligny lens 161453235514 sold together for eur1100 as item 161454042424.

A good bargain?

[Steven Tribe]

Perhaps, but condition/completeness is unknown. Certainly, the Trousse set looks uncared for.

These are both types which a few fantasy listers have been attempting to sell at fantasy prices for a long time. When prices are reasonable, there IS interest.

[dap]

Is the goerz hypar a soft focus lens? I was under the impression that it was just a fast triplet (and better corrected than the varium/sigmar).

[Mark Sawyer]

From page 452 the 1915 Goerz catalog at the Camera Eccentric site:

123557:

[Steven Tribe]

Another less common lens.

T, T & H Cooke series IIA F3.5 ( "Portric"). £472 (including auction fees). SAS auction UK. The winner was very eager, so I gave up at 380!

This is either a 12" or 12.5" (probably) being listed as 12.?. The early "turn the barrel" version.

Described as spotty brass but OK glass.

This was the only pictorial lens this time.

There is already a list of acheived hammer prices on the SAS website and includes a number of other interesting (non-soft) brass ( large Euryskop series II, huge Ross Universal 30" back focus, Dallmeyer 5A WA meniscus).

[Tin Can]

Not a lens, but the leather case for Cooke 14-1/2 Series II Portrait SF. I have one of those.

A bargain I 'won'. Very nice condition.

141437798916

If you don't want this post here, ask me politely and I will remove it.

[Hugo Zhang]

Some sharp guy talked the seller to change his ebay listing to Buy it Now and ended with a Dallmeyer 4A for $950 yesterday morning. . Unbelievable!

[lucaas]

Some sharp guy talked the seller to change his ebay listing to Buy it Now and ended with a Dallmeyer 4A for $950 yesterday morning. . Unbelievable!

And the same lens was re-listed by the seller, 281488769182. It ended some hours later.
The same seller sold a Cooke Series II 14.5" for $600, 281466395811

[brandon13]

Yeah I saw that. some lucky bastard probably got both of those beauties.
And the same lens was re-listed by the seller, 281488769182. It ended some hours later.
The same seller sold a Cooke Series II 14.5" for $600, 281466395811

[Gundlach]

J.h dallmeyer portrait patent 4b - $3,568.89 - 131336338657

[goamules]

Lots of Dallmeyers this period. But there are lots for sale during all periods. I'd like to see a tally of how many Dallmeyer petzvals sell each year. I see 2-4 sell each month, most on Ebay, a few on other sites or locally. If that's consistent, that would be up to almost 50 sold a year! The lenses I seek out are much more rare, and sometimes I only see one every year or three. Anyway, they're all good.

[Hugo Zhang]

Dallmeyer 5D for $112.50. Ebay 201210590223

[brandon13]

Vitax No. 2 Black with studio shutter. Really nice glass. $648.88 listing: 261667564213

[Mark Sawyer]

7 1/4 inch Verito in a barrel, $393, #321591756182

Incidentally, one of the things that makes me aware of what a small market we actually have is the number of auctions (including this one) that I lose by one bid... :p

[Gundlach]

That Vitax No 2 was one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time...

[seven]

Struss 9 inch f/5.5, $2.888,88, #321598486569

[Amedeus]

I've been absent because of a job situation but I've been keeping track of the sales ...

My first bargain in a long time ... the iris is shot but can possibly be repaired, was not able to open the lens yet

As for the camera ... I do have too many of these but the stand is really nice ...



Somebody got a heck of a buy on a 14" Goerz Hypar (with a studio stand and 8x10 camera!) for $995...

161453555696

(I'd call this price outside the norm, but it's nice to see the occasional bargain is still out there...)

[Jim Galli]

I've been absent because of a job situation but I've been keeping track of the sales ...

My first bargain in a long time ... the iris is shot but can possibly be repaired, was not able to open the lens yet

As for the camera ... I do have too many of these but the stand is really nice ...

Bravo Rudi! When you coming over?

[Jon Wilson]

I've been absent because of a job situation but I've been keeping track of the sales ...

My first bargain in a long time ... the iris is shot but can possibly be repaired, was not able to open the lens yet

As for the camera ... I do have too many of these but the stand is really nice ...

Great buy by a good one. BTW post some pics with your 9" struss

[Amedeus]

Jon, you will find a number of images with my 9" Karl Struss (and other SF lenses) on my blog ... can't post them here as they are not large format ..

amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog (http://amedeusphoto.zenfolio.com/blog)

Cheers !


Great buy by a good one. BTW post some pics with your 9" struss

[goamules]

Jon, if you go to my flicker tagline, search Struss, I've posted some I've shot with a 9" Struss.

[Jon Wilson]

Thanks Garrett. I love the smooooth feel of a struss. Jon

[Amedeus]

Didn't see this one in the listings

Pinkham & Smith Visual Quality, Series IV, No 4 with flange for $4,500 (171526936850)

Not vintage soft focus but nevertheless interesting to follow ... Cooke Portrait PS945 f/4.5 for $3,618 (221606330061)

[SergeiR]

Well i am still waiting for that Vitax. Clean or not. Seller seems to be having excuse of "Thanksgiving vacation" to ignore first week, and now its more of just.. ignoring. Albeit it is marked as shipped for the week. Except according to USPS they aint got package. Looks like another drama brewing

[Ramiro Elena]

Well i am still waiting for that Vitax. Clean or not. Seller seems to be having excuse of "Thanksgiving vacation" to ignore first week, and now its more of just.. ignoring. Albeit it is marked as shipped for the week. Except according to USPS they aint got package. Looks like another drama brewing

Did you give the seller MY correct address?

[QCC]

Pinkham Bi-Quality 14in f/4.5 ebay #331343011625 $4999.95

[Hugo Zhang]

Another Bi-Quality went for 2K less, amazing how much a lens cap cost...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301389598182?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[goamules]

Well i am still waiting for that Vitax. Clean or not. Seller seems to be having excuse of "Thanksgiving vacation" to ignore first week, and now its more of just.. ignoring. Albeit it is marked as shipped for the week. Except according to USPS they aint got package. Looks like another drama brewing

Aw, man! I hope not. Give it time, USPS has trouble tracking things going out of country, but they usually are on their way.

[Scott Davis]

I should have posted these a while back along with the entry here about the purchase:

126379

This is the Hermagis Eidoscope, after mounting to a Canham/Toyo size lensboard. I had to have the front standard replaced to fit the Toyo 110mm size lensboard (my Canham was originally designed to take Linhof Technica boards).

[SergeiR]

I should have posted these a while back along with the entry here about the purchase:

126379

This is the Hermagis Eidoscope, after mounting to a Canham/Toyo size lensboard. I had to have the front standard replaced to fit the Toyo 110mm size lensboard (my Canham was originally designed to take Linhof Technica boards).

thats nice...

[SergeiR]

Aw, man! I hope not. Give it time, USPS has trouble tracking things going out of country, but they usually are on their way.
well i asked them again, waited for couple days. Opened case with eBay today. Hope its a glitch, but i been taken for a ride before , and its bumming me out

[goamules]

I just won a rare lens on a camera, got all excited. Then got a strange email ping from the seller that "they accidentally mailed me the wrong package, please return." Sure enough, I got the wrong thing, a bunch of small plastic toys. But I see a new tracking number, so the right package is coming...I hope.

If you look you can usually find the sellers email address, and even their phone number. It has helped me to call them, and encourage them to ship it, give you the tracking, etc. You have to go easy, if you push, they can dig their heels in and just decide not to ship. But if you're nice....sometimes you'll find they are old, confused, slow....etc.

[Jim Galli]

....sometimes you'll find they are old, confused, slow....etc.

Hey! I resemble that.

[jp]

got all excited. Then got a strange email ping from the seller that "they accidentally mailed me the wrong package, please return." Sure enough, I got the wrong thing, a bunch of small plastic toys. But I see a new tracking number, so the right package is coming...I hope.
.

Someone sent me a wrong package once to work. Instead of camera gear or car parts or whatever it was, I got a toy crossbow! They told me to keep it. It happens less than I'd anticipate though.

[Darren Kruger]

Wollensak Series II f/4.5 15.5" with diffusion ring in studio shutter (missing piston). quite a bit of missing paint. $535. item: 141492433501

[SergeiR]

Hey! I resemble that.

I think we all are ;)

Garett - thanks for calming words. Alas, they didn't give phone in first place. Finally got answer on Thursday, that their eBay person had left and they now trying to figure out where things are. In short words - no it wasn't sent at all. And still wasn't :) But at least now i know phone # and stuff - so , fingers crossed, it might just make it here in time for 27th, which will it make proper birthday present.

[evan clarke]

Got a literally perfect 11 1/2 inch verito $700

[evan clarke]

Easy enough to put a modern yellow filter on them.. I have 2 but don't use the yellow

[SergeiR]

371210535521 , 14" Verito for 405$. I kept thinking of bidding on it, but decided against.. much to my elbow biting now :)

[Jim Galli]

371210535521 , 14" Verito for 405$. I kept thinking of bidding on it, but decided against.. much to my elbow biting now :)

Me too, but the missing actuator part is a show stopper on these. There simply are zero parts for these beasts. Wish someone would gear up and make us some "Open - Closed" levers with shoulder screw, and some actuator assemblies. Trouble is there are at least 4 possible sizes as the shutters get bigger.

[SergeiR]

Me too, but the missing actuator part is a show stopper on these. There simply are zero parts for these beasts. Wish someone would gear up and make us some "Open - Closed" levers with shoulder screw, and some actuator assemblies. Trouble is there are at least 4 possible sizes as the shutters get bigger.

but I thought you got that hand shutter trick and don't really need shutters? :) (me - i stick with packards or very long exposures or both ;))

[Jim Galli]

but I thought you got that hand shutter trick and don't really need shutters? :) (me - i stick with packards or very long exposures or both ;))

I use a Packard 99% of the time with these Studio Shutter lenses. Packard is a repeatable 1/25th while the Studio is about 1/5th sec fastest time. Still, I'm anal about my equipment being complete and operable whether I choose to use it or not. On the Deardorff 11X14 or the Eastman 7X11 I need to rely on the Studio Shutter, and I do. These would be simple things to make. I'm surprised someone hasn't made a "cottage industry" out of them. The price realized on the Verito we're speaking of reflects the $250 hit you take when these pieces are missing.

[Jody_S]

Wollensak Series II f/4.5 15.5" with diffusion ring in studio shutter (missing piston). quite a bit of missing paint. $535. item: 141492433501
That was me. I might have overpaid a little, but I know I can fix the shutter.

[Steven Tribe]

Bad news for searchers for Dallmeyer 3Bs!

UK saleroom/internet auction (usually a good source of 3Bs) to-day.

1890's studio set:

English Studio camera plus 3 legged studio stand.
Dallmeyer 3B plus boxed WHS.
C.C.Burr C de V petzval and WHS.
Some holders.

This came in at £2400 (8 times valuation). The market for Studio sets is small in the UK and the Burr has limited interest.

So someone is paying well over $2.500 for Dallmeyer.

[Tin Can]

You value everything else at nothing?

[Jim Galli]

You value everything else at nothing?Camera and stand would fetch $525 - ish U.S. So $3,200 for a 3B is probably a fair buy these days.

[Steven Tribe]

You value everything else at nothing?

AS Jim noticed, I used first £s and then $s - so the total sale price, including 20% commission, was $3753.

Note that bidders would either had needed to be in Lancashire, England to-day or asked the right question before the auction.
There were some interesting early Sioux Native American cabinets in the same auction.

[alex from holland]

Over here the stand would sell for about 500 usd. The camera with plate holder at least for the same money or even more.
The other petzval for 5-600 usd. And you don't see many 3b's with its original set of whs.
So paid to much? Don't think so.

[Tin Can]

Seems most SF & ULF lens users in USA on this forum, bought their lenses of any kind for pennies and love to tell us, how we pay way too much.

Such is life

[Mark Sawyer]

The 1890's studio camera package was a complete, intact, and beautiful set, in excellent condition. I'd say it went for about fair market value for Europe or America. I'd love to know its history...

[Tin Can]

I agree, what a nice complete set. Hopefully it all stays together.

[Steven Tribe]

If I remember correctly from yesterday, there was competitive bidding from someone in the room (could have been a standing commission bid, though even though there seemed to be pauses in the room bids) against an internet live bidder - with the room bidder as the winner.

An internet winner might have said " send me the 2 lenses and WHS and scrap - or relist - the rest".

A local winner could easily find room in his car for everything.

I have 2 of these Victorian furniture stands and they do work, but the bipost stand is definitely easier to use in a studio environment.

There was no name given for the camera, just like the 3B was anon, but it is possible it is from the Chapman/Billcliff group in the nearby Manchester.

[Paul Ewins]

30cm Universal Heliar - No flange or knobs but otherwise fine - USD$850. As a special Christmas bonus it got through Oz customs without a request for GST.