Did Alvan Clark make camera lenses?

Hey guys,
I was trolling the auction site, and a seller is offering an 8x10 lens by "Alvan Clark." I was curious and did a google search which resulted in finding that Clark and his sons were 19th Century telescope makers. Does anyone know if Smith designed, made, or marketed camera lenses? Just curious.

Can't say about photo lenses, but the Clark Telescope in Flagstaff at the Lowell Observatory is one of his most famous. You have the sense that you are standing in the presence of something created by Jules Verne when you see it, especially at night with the glowing equipment and the light reflecting off of the polished brass surfaces.

First double Gauss type photographic objective. Clark designed, B&L made. Look for U.S. Patent #399,499

Not even two hours and I have what I need. APUG ROCKS!

wclavey said:

Can't say about photo lenses, but the Clark Telescope in Flagstaff at the Lowell Observatory is one of his most famous. You have the sense that you are standing in the presence of something created by Jules Verne when you see it, especially at night with the glowing equipment and the light reflecting off of the polished brass surfaces.

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The 40 inch Clark refractor at Yerkes is another very famous Clark telescope. Clark and sons were considered the premier refractor makers in the world, and also built reflector telescopes. They were superb opticians. Glass is not a true solid, and can "flow" over time if it has a lot of mass and insufficient support, so 40 inches is about the maximum aperture for a refractor lens that won't sag and lose its figure. I understand that the Yerkes scope has to be "parked" in varying positions rather than in a single repeated position so that it keeps its figure. To attain apertures larger than this, 'scopes have to be built as mirrors with some backing support.

I have information that there is a book in the works on Alvan Clark and his telescopes, so interested parties should keep an eye out for that.

Lee

Alvin Clark was a versatile inventer. In addition to inventing lens making equipment, he is credited for inventing the false muzzle used on ulta-precise muzzleloading rifles. It's just another connection to us who shoot both rifles and cameras.