Importent Notice: I will be travelling through Europe starting from September. The shop will be open for orders in the meantime. Just take into account that i shipping will not be possible untill late fall.

Last shipping window before we leave is 03.09.2024.

History: An absolute rarity made  by Dallmeyer back in 1890s. The Bergheim Soft Focus is a telephoto Soft Focus portrait lens conceived by the photographer J.H. Bergheim. The lens is a long focus consisting of two uncorrected lens elements. The photographic Journal (30. November 1895) reports: '...has been constructed to supply a want frequently expressed by photographers who devote themselves to production of the highest rendering in portraiture'...'The type of definition given at full aperture is such that there is no loss of structure in the resulting image, all detail beeing given, but softened to an extent that produces a harmonious whole without insisting of ctitical sharpness.'

Wilkinson and Glanfield believed that 'Incidentally Bergheim (lenses) is scarce, desireable and now expensive...'

Anthony's Photographic Bulletin of 1896 states, "The Dallmeyer-Bergheim lens is composed of a single front lens of positive focus in combination with a single back lens of negative focus, the distance between the two being variable, thus giving considerable latitude of focal length. A softness and delicacy is obtainable with this lens that will please photographers. When stopped down, defining power and sharpness increase, this being absolute with about one-third the full aperture."

In the last ten years of working with antique lenses, this is only the third Dallmeyer Bergheim lens that i was able to obtain. That should show you, how scarce those are today.

As noted by Anthony the lens offers a possibility to change the focal lenght. The No. 2 has a range of 25" (640mm) up to 40" (1000mm). The open aperture varies from F8 up to F15, depending on the focal lenght.

It was listed in the catalouges to be able to cover from 8x10 up to 12x15 formats. Looking at the image circle i would say it will cover at least 14x17 also, maybe even more.

Condition: The lens comes in a collectors condition. The brass parts come unpolished and offer a nice patina, there is minmal wear here and there but its still a beauty to look upon. The glass elements come in great overall condition, there are some minuscle dust specs but i cant even see any cleaningmarks here, they are crystal clear! The No. 2 comes with a iris in the front which is still working smoothly. Also is the rack & pinion complete and working as it should.

Lens comes with the original flange and is an absolute collectors condition.

It will work best for 8x10 and maybe even larger formats (i think up to 11x14).






height: 30cm
width: 10cm
weight: 2200gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 20 eur
EU* - 60 eur
Worldwide - 150 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.