Brass lens question

ManojRC · Dec 5, 2022

Dear All,

I'm looking for a good brass lens, preferably a Dallmeyer 2A. I mainly see two versions of it.
1. Waterhouse stops
2. Iris aperture

Obviously, iris version is more convenient and expensive ( So assume that, more folks prefer iris over waterhouse stops )

My question is, would iris version more prone to failure. Other than high price, what's other issues of Iris lenses? As long as the lens comes with all the waterhouse stops, I don't mind using it and obviously, a speedy workflow is not a criteria here. Should we pay premium price for Iris or we will be okay with waterhouse stop version?

Thanks..

grat · Dec 7, 2022

Most vintage lenses I've encountered with an iris mechanism still work just fine as long as they haven't been abused-- perhaps needing a refresh on the lubrication, but all in all, I've got several brass-bodied lenses that still work just fine after a century or more.

Ian Grant · Dec 7, 2022

Most lenses are missing some or all their Waterhouse stops, the Iris Diaphragm came into use in the 1880s, some companies like Dallmeyer offered a choice of either Waterhouse stops or an Iris Diaphragm, for a while. The 1898 BJP Almanac advert for Dallmeyer shows the 2A etc with an Iris Diaphragm, while Ross equivalent Portrait lenses still use Waterhouse stops, their other lenses use Iris Diaphragms.

It's easy enough to make Waterhouse stops, I have the earlier 1860 Dallmeyer 9" f4 Rapid Acting Portrait Petzval, it didn't cost an arm and a leg, I had to be persuaded to buy it for £30 ($36) as it was very dirty, I was buying a TTH 12"x10" f8 RR from the seller.

Be aware that despite being called Petzvals these Dallmeyer lenses are quite well corrected in terms of improved spherical, there's not the characteristic Petzval swirl even at full aperture. Mine came with one Waterhouse stop.

Ian

ManojRC · Dec 11, 2022

Ian Grant said:
Most lenses are missing some or all their Waterhouse stops, the Iris Diaphragm came into use in the 1880s, some companies like Dallmeyer offered a choice of either Waterhouse stops or an Iris Diaphragm, for a while. The 1898 BJP Almanac advert for Dallmeyer shows the 2A etc with an Iris Diaphragm, while Ross equivalent Portrait lenses still use Waterhouse stops, their other lenses use Iris Diaphragms.

It's easy enough to make Waterhouse stops, I have the earlier 1860 Dallmeyer 9" f4 Rapid Acting Portrait Petzval, it didn't cost an arm and a leg, I had to be persuaded to buy it for £30 ($36) as it was very dirty, I was buying a TTH 12"x10" f8 RR from the seller.

Be aware that despite being called Petzvals these Dallmeyer lenses are quite well corrected in terms of improved spherical, there's not the characteristic Petzval swirl even at full aperture. Mine came with one Waterhouse stop.

Ian

Thanks Ian. Can you suggest a Petzval lens ( Brand/model ) which gives the Petzval swirl effect..
I actually shortlisted Dallmeyer 3A & Vitax 400mm but open for other cheaper models too.

Ian Grant · Dec 13, 2022

Well there is a nice Vitax f3.8 400mm lens for 1950 euros being sold by Wet plate Dreams.

Ian

Brass lens question

ManojRC

grat

Ian Grant

ManojRC

Ian Grant

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