[W&B] A different lens question

[Rob McElroy]

Dan,

It sure would be nice if lens manufacturers in the 1800's used a
consistent numbering system for their lenses, but unfortunately
they didn't.  Some used numbers, some used letters, some used both,
some used two numbers seperated by a dash to signify a fraction of
a full plate (4-4 for full, 1-2 for half plate, etc.), and some
didn't use any designation. And, to further confuse things, not
every manufacturer used the small number for their shortest focal
length. There is really no consistent way to know what format a
lens covered - just by knowing the manufacturer's number
designation.

Yes, lens manufacturers made plenty of lenses for formats smaller
than 4x5, right down to 2" focal length lenses for locket
photographs.

Ok Dan, now tell us what your query is for.  Are you trying to get
the correct lens for a quarter plate camera?

Cheers,
Rob McElroy
Buffalo, NY

DColucci at aol.com wrote:

>   ---I guess my question is:  Most of the time, lenses for 4x5
> were size "1" or sometimes size "0".  Did they routinely sell
> lenses in a smaller size ....ie "00" for 1/4 plate ?
> Dan,
>
> The simple answer is anything with a focus around 5.5"
>
> But for the camera you have in mind, probably a generic landscape
> lens about the the size of the little Waterbury would do the
> trick.
>
> The #1 Rochester landscape lenses are probably technically
> correct - all of the Rochester companies made their own, and they
> all look the same, but with different initials.
>
> Or the Darlot #1 Hemispherique Rapide
>
> mz
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