Antique Petzval portrait lens
Over the years there has been considerable, and at timesemotionally charged debate as to whether this is a Petzval or simply a lens from an earlyslide projector. So best to tell you the history - in 1982 I entered into a partnership with a professional photographer, which is where I found this lens. The studio that was a part ownwer of, with the intention of buying out other partner, had a clear and continuous lineage to the Burton Brothers - one of the earliest photography studio's in the South Island of New Zealand. When I became the sole owner of the business I encouraged opiniuons from other professional phoptographers as to what role this actual lens would have played. One actually created a camera around the lens and together we studied the result - in our opinion it met the description of a Petazval.
Designed by Slovakian mathematics professor Joseph Petzval in co-operation with Peter Wilhelm Fredrich Voitlander. This lens type was revolutionary at the time as it had remarkable sharpness for portraits. That sharpness fell off rapidly toward the edges and this was addressed in later developments by other photographers. This particular lens came to me about 30 years ago and I confess I never made good on plans to use the lens in my photography, other than those original test images. Now it is time to give you the chance to do better than me and incorporate the lens in your photography. Constructed of brass with the inner focus tube being chromed as well (not often seen in lenses of that era but used by professionals who could afford the process). The lens has no information on the body so I am not able to attribute to a particular studio (other than the Burtons or a successor) or manufacturer. The rack and pinion drive for focusing works beautifully and the lenses are free from any major issues, other than an incomplete fungus growth tight into the edge of the objective lens (see images) and a slight dent to the brass extending from the lens - also shown in images.. I have not attempted to clean the lens in any way, believing that the patina of age is a better finish than a high polish finish etc. The small plastic lens cap is not original but I believe that larger leather cap is. As there is no aperture control to the lens, it may have required the lens cap or a lens board fitted with a curtain shutter to regulate the exposure. The lens is 143mm long and the lens components are approx.58mm in diameter.
As photographs form an important part of the description, happy to provide additional images if requested. Please also take the time to check out our eclectic range of items being offered.
#cameralens #studiocamera #petzvallens #brassandchrome #burtonbrothers #muirandmoodie #jaswebster #duncancampbell #mcphailphotography #auldcuriosities #dunedin #newzealand #antiques #vintage #curios #collectables