Posted 12 years ago
Deanteaks
(291 items)
This is an old lens from a old box camera, it is heavy and large, any ideas on the age of this lens? it is well made I think
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Posted 12 years ago
Deanteaks
(291 items)
This is an old lens from a old box camera, it is heavy and large, any ideas on the age of this lens? it is well made I think
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The lens would be mounted on a studio view camera and used exclusively for busts or portraits on cabinet cards. It more than likely dates to the very early 1900s. Earlier portrait lenses by Gennert had water-house stops as opposed to a diaphragm, tangential focusing, and information engraved into the lens barrel.
The numbers 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 refers to the largest useful neg format covered by the lens' projected image in inches; which in this case is whole-plate. The next standard size would be 8x10.
FWIW ... Gustav Gennert founded his business in NY in the 1850s.
thank you, rniederman and all :)