Scientific Lens Co W.A.

Whiteymorange · May 7, 2011

I just picked up an "Extreme W.A. Anastigmat #2" lens from the Scientific Lens Co in a Wollensak shutter. A little fiddling has the thing working enough to test it for coverage - I'm thinking maybe full plate but not 8x10, but who knows? Anyway, there are no aperture settings engraved or even printed on the shutter - none. It appears to be original, and I think, from a previous posting here on APUG, that it dates from the first decade or so of the 20th century. It's a cute little thing, and I'd love to use it, but the whole deal is so small that my measuring skills are not going to be up to the task of figuring it out. I'm guessing, based on the later Wollensak "extreme w.a." that it is an f 12 or so. Any info out there?

rrankin · May 7, 2011

Should be f14. If you check on LFPF, there is a thread and CC Harrison links to a 1907 ad. A number 2 is probably for 5x7, but here's the thread:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=49023

Richard

Whiteymorange · May 9, 2011

Thanks, Richard. I had seen that post, but I guess I thought my lens was different in that it was in a shutter. Now I believe that a previous owner may have mounted it- as evidenced by the lack of any aperture markings. I did shoot a test shot on an 8x10- complete guesswork with no light meter, a wonky shutter and no f-stop- trying for what I estimated as f 64. I don't think I was completely successful, but I did find a few things: 1. It appears to cover 8x10 at that (mystery) aperture; 2. The forgiving nature of tri X 320 allowed the shot to come out; 3. You have to watch out for the bellows on that short a focal length on my old Rochester- they cut off the image on the sides! Next time, I'll tie the bellows forward to the front standard to allow the use of the larger, rear section.

Whiteymorange · May 9, 2011

Here is the test shot - An exciting view of my driveway! The bit on the bottom is the front rail of the old Rochester Universal and, since the back does not move, I think I'll be cropping to panorama with this lens or using another camera!

c.d.ewen · May 9, 2011

Darn, Whitey, you've got me curious. This'll ruin my carefully prioritized list of projects
Now I'm going to have to make some flanges and lensboards, and maybe even take a picture. :eek:

I've got two Scientific Lens Co lenses: an "EXTR. W. A. ANASTIGMAT No 4", in barrel, with missing aperture wheel, and one with the interesting legend, "A.ANASTIGMAT No 6" (in a dial-set Wolly shutter). The latter has a Uniform System aperture scale, 3 (f/6.3 - f/7.7) to 256 (f/64). Any guesses as to what the "A." part of the legend could refer to? Cameraeccentric doesn't show a Scientific Lens Co catalog.

Charley

c.d.ewen · May 9, 2011

Quickie update: the No 4 looks like a 5" f/14; the No 6 is a 12".

Charley

Whiteymorange · May 10, 2011

No idea on the "A", Charley. Is it possible that the "W" has worn away and that it's another wide angle? Try it! Everybody needs too many projects. I have to do a more "Scientific" study of this one, I haven't measured the focal length to my satisfaction yet so I don't really know what #2 means. On first blush it seems well under 6", but don't quote me on that. It may be that they had a few different series lenses, using the numbering system in a very unscientific way! I wish someone had a catalogue, or a history of the company, but I haven't found one yet. The Vade Mecum is vague on the company and lists no wide angle lenses at all, yet they are all I have seen.

c.d.ewen · May 15, 2011

In case anyone's interest in The Scientific Co.'s lenses has been piqued, here's one on eBay. Just like mine, but with the aperture wheel. If anyone here picks it up, I'd appreciate a look at the wheel for measuring

Charley

Whiteymorange · Jul 13, 2011

OK... Even more curious. First, the Extreme W.A. Anastigmat #2 does cover 8x10 and it appears to be a shorter focal length than the chart would indicate. My measurements are quite rough, but what I measure is about 120mm and, if that is correct, the aperture runs from about f8 to f64 (no markings on the shutter at all.) Second, the Scientific Lens Co is here linked to a Mr. Nehring, who has this ad for a lens. The first mentioned note, published in Camera Craft in 1910, states that a Mr Alfred Koehler purchased the business from him. When researching Mr Koehler, I came across my own post from Nov. 2007 asking about the same guy! I had a loaner lens at that time and knew nothing about him.

c.d.ewen · Jul 13, 2011

Couple more tidbits for the Scientific Lens enthusiasts: I bought that lens I mentioned in Post #8. The seller assumed that any buyer would just be displaying the lens on a period camera (no one uses old lenses, you know). He therefore didn't bother to mention in the description that the rear cell had a huge scratched area dead center. I sent it back.......right after I measured the aperture wheel. f/8 through f/64, AIR.

Here's another lens on eBay from Scientific. The seller seems to have researched the company a bit and believes that Wolly bought them around 1920.

Charley

Scientific Lens Co W.A.

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