Quick Lens ID Please

[SteveH]

All,
Apparently my copy of the Lens Vade Mecum is taking much longer than expected....So appologies, but I am not able to do my homework before harassing you all.
The lens that I found is a Perken, Son, and Rayment Optimus f/4. It has an iris type of aperture, ranging from f/4-f/22. It has the typical rack and pinion focusing on it, and is about 9" in focal length.
Any idea as to its construction ? Anyone have any opinions on it ? I usually would just jump on it, but shipping to my location is rather costly.

Thanks !

 

[medform-norm]

LVM: "Optimus Quick Acting Portrait f4.0 This was made in 1B, 4.5in for CDV; 2B 5.75in for Cabinet; and 3B 9.0in for Grand Cabinet, the last name suggesting these may just be from a French source. Note that in 1889 only 1B, 2B and 3B were listed but larger sizes were to order"
Optimus was a name used for more Perkin lenses, this was the only one listed with an F-stop of f4. Maybe someone else can tell more about the lens design and what it may resemble.

 

[SteveH]

Thanks for the quick reply. Im going to try to verify that the lens in question is a '3b', as the other focal lengths probably wouldn't cover 4x5 (and Im looking for a 9-11" lens anyway).

 

[Ole]

F/4 in that vintage is likely to be a Petzval or similar. Since a 2b 5.75" is said to be for "cabinet", it's likely to be a Petzval.

A RR of that speed wouldn't have enough sharp center for cabinet size!

 

[SteveH]

Thanks Ole; I appreciate your help. The lens seems to be quite worth the shipping at this point, so hopefully in a couple of weeks I will relay a complete report.