History: This is a very rare example of the french lens making legend Berthiot Paris. The Stellor offers a triplet layout with 3 glass elements in 3 groups. It is very similar to the Cooke Portrait layout which also was used with the infamous Cooke Knuckler. And indeed on the groundglass the lens offers a nice sharpness with a buttery smooth bokeh, not unlike the Cooke, still even a bit softer towards the edges of the frame when shot wide open. I think this is a very interesting portrait lens with a unique look, that is almost unknown to most shooters, since it is so rare.

There were were severall Series of the Stellor and this is the most imporved one, also offering the largest specimen of the series with 360mm focal lenght.

Berthiots catalog claims that 'the image, while having excellent sharpness, has a certain softness that true portait photographers will know how to use to greatest advantage.' Testing the lens on the groundglass i found it to deliver a similar image as the Heliar family. Quite distincs sharpness with a well defined softness wide open and a great bokeh.

Condition: The housing is in a nice condition, there is almost no wear to the black protective laquere is mostly intact. The giant glass elements are in a great condition, there are only minimal cleaning marks  and specs, but there is no haze, no fungus and no chips present. The  stylish aperture runs smooth from F4 to F22.

The lens has a focal lenght of 360mm at a speed of F4. It will cover 8x10 and up to 11x14 formats.

The lens comes complete with a flange and leather lenscap.





height: 14cm
width: 11cm
weight: 2700gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 20 eur
EU* - 50 eur
Worldwide - 90 eur

*(the site offers only 2 shipping variations, DE and worldwide. buyers from EU please either contact me beforehand for a reduced EU cost, or after buying so i can send a refund over the difference)

Importent Note: This item comes from my private collection and is around 100 years old (antique). I try my best to describe all the faults and major damage which are relevant for the function of this item. But the actuall item can show signs of wear and also some cosmetic blemishes/damage which is not described in the auction text! When buying this item the buyer agrees to this terms.