eBay

Here is a rare Bausch & Lomb Universal Portrait Lens Series A f4 giant brass camera lens. The lens was sold by the Z.T. Briggs & Co. out of Kansas with them calling it an Extra Rapid Portrait Lens. I found a catalog page for the lens and which says the 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 version had a focal length of 11 1/2" and was a fast f4 lens. The lens has the Benster Patent Diaphragm Shutter installed inside the lens which makes it even more rare and collectible as not many Benster shutters were sold. The Benster Shutter was not successful as photographers had to have sent their lens to the Benster company where they would cut the lens barrel and install their shutter inside the lens. At the time, which was in the mid 1880's, many did not want to do that so finding a lens with the Benster shutter installed is quite rare. Now, as the condition of the shutter, there is some rust inside so I have not tried to use it at all. The diaphragm shutter blades are fully closed and I don't know if they can be opened safely. I will leave it to the next owner, as if they want to use the lens, I don't know if the Benster shutter can be saved. The lens is quite massive being 10" tall and weighing 9 pounds. It has its mounting flange. The front glass unscrews easily. The front glass shows wear and has balsam separation. I could not get the rear element to unscrew so I was not able to clean behind it as the closed shutter prevents access from the front. Other than some dirt I don't see anything major wrong with the rear glass and I don't see balsam separation like in the front element. The lens makes a great display piece and could go to either a user who wants a massive full plate portrait lens or a collector who wants it for the Benster Shutter for display in their collection. If you want to learn more about the Benster Shutter the only site on the internet that I found that talks about it is antiquephotographica.info/BENSTER PATENT DIAPHRAGM SHUTTER WEB PAGE 1-14-2020.htm Due to the issues with the lens and shutter it is being sold "as-is" for display purposes only and not as a usable lens. Check out my other auctions for many other antique cameras and brass lenses. Buyer pays shipping and the shipping quote includes insurance.