Jamin Darlot Paris brass lens

[Nas]

I bought this brass lens at auction many years ago. It has no maker engravings or waterhouse slot. It’s 300mm f4 by my calculations. Covers 10x8 with a sweet spot in the middle with rapid fall off of sharpness towards the edges in a classic Petzval style. I can’t remember what I paid for it and haven’t used it much because of the lack of an aperture.
After needing to use the camera bag it lives in for something else I decided to set it up on a camera to help me decide whether to keep it or sell it. The image on the ground glass is nice and bright and quite unique compared to my other lenses. I exposed a couple of test sheets of very expired FP4. On closer inspection of the lens I was excited to see the handwriting around the edge of the rear element.
Anyone else using Darlot lenses?

 

[MartyNL]

Chance would be a fine thing!

 

[Soulstar89]

I bought this brass lens at auction many years ago. It has no maker engravings or waterhouse slot. It’s 300mm f4 by my calculations. Covers 10x8 with a sweet spot in the middle with rapid fall off of sharpness towards the edges in a classic Petzval style. I can’t remember what I paid for it and haven’t used it much because of the lack of an aperture.
After needing to use the camera bag it lives in for something else I decided to set it up on a camera to help me decide whether to keep it or sell it. The image on the ground glass is nice and bright and quite unique compared to my other lenses. I exposed a couple of test sheets of very expired FP4. On closer inspection of the lens I was excited to see the handwriting around the edge of the rear element.
Anyone else using Darlot lenses?

View attachment 6443
View attachment 6444

Can’t help with what you are trying to find out but what a beast of a lens. I’ve just registered a lensminding service so if you need a loving and caring home let me know. Hahahahahhaha

 

[Barney]

I bought this brass lens at auction many years ago. It has no maker engravings or waterhouse slot. It’s 300mm f4 by my calculations. Covers 10x8 with a sweet spot in the middle with rapid fall off of sharpness towards the edges in a classic Petzval style. I can’t remember what I paid for it and haven’t used it much because of the lack of an aperture.
After needing to use the camera bag it lives in for something else I decided to set it up on a camera to help me decide whether to keep it or sell it. The image on the ground glass is nice and bright and quite unique compared to my other lenses. I exposed a couple of test sheets of very expired FP4. On closer inspection of the lens I was excited to see the handwriting around the edge of the rear element.
Anyone else using Darlot lenses?

View attachment 6443
View attachment 6444

Any chance we can see the test shots?

 

[Nas]

Can’t help with what you are trying to find out but what a beast of a lens. I’ve just registered a lensminding service so if you need a loving and caring home let me know. Hahahahahhaha

Lensminding? Such a clever idea

 

[Nas]

Any chance we can see the test shots?

Yes, after I dev/scan them. The film was very old so I might not get much. We shall see.

 

[Soulstar89]

Lensminding? Such a clever idea

 

[Nas]

Any chance we can see the test shots?

As requested. Two 10x8 shots made on very old FP4 – so old the box doesn't have an expiry date. Rated at ISO 25. There is some mottling, most likely from poor storage before I acquired it but fine for testing lenses. I used the brass lens cap for a shutter, exposure was approx 1/8th of a second but it was tricky because the lens cap is quite tight fitting.