Available in this sale is a vintage Eastman Anastigmat 13.5in/345mm f/3.5 lens in excellent vintage condition. Serial number 146, this monstrous lens in barrel with iris is like a mythical beast; you’ve heard stories of something like it but no one has ever seen one nor knows exactly what it is, where it came from or how long it’s been there. It fits the general descriptive format of pre World War II arial surveillance lenses used for high altitude mapping and reconnaissance though no reference for it can be found in the 'Lens Collector’s Vade Mecum'. It’s anastigmat design ensures high quality and sharpness. The uncoated glass is optically smooth and free from visible external marks or abrasions. It shows some oxidation that will not impact the image and, as with all vintage lenses, there are visible inclusions (artifacts present in the glass when it was manufactured) that will not impact image quality. There is no fog, fungus or balsam separation visible. The twenty-one (21) bladed diaphragm stops down to f/64, operates smoothly and forms a near perfect circle at all apertures. The lens’s cosmetics are appropriate for a lens of this vintage, approximately 1930s. The aluminum barrel is unpainted. The front element group mount is painted black as is the lens hood. It is unclear whether the hood is removable. It could not be budged easily so we did not attempt to remove it. The lens is mounted on a square metal lensboard measuring 6.75in/17.15cm per side. The final image below is a size comparison for the purpose of scale. The top lens is a Fujinon 210mm f/5.6 on Copal No. 1 Shutter.
This Eastman Anastigmat 13.5in/345mm f/3.5 lens is extraordinarily fast for a lens of this focal length. The uncoated optics will produce a lower contrast than most modern lenses. It will likely cover at least 8x10 and perhaps larger, especially if the hood can be removed. It’s superior speed will allow easier focusing in compromised lighting conditions and makes it a great candidate for use with wet plate imaging. A great vintage lens will produce great vintage results. It’s up to you to be that great photographer capturing great subject matter…
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Eastman Kodak, USA
Focal Length: 13.5in/345mm
Optical Construction: 4 elements, 2 groups (anastigmat)
Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/64
Shutter: None
Lensboard: 6.75 x 6.75in/17.15 x 17.15cm
Length: 4.875in/12.38cm lens hood to lensboard; 6.375in/16.19cm overall including lens hood
Diameter: 6.25in/15.88cm
Weight: 11.81lb/5.35kg with 4.875in/lensboard
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