History: This very old Petzval design lens comes from the absolute most exclusive french lens making workshop: Darlot /Jamin.

Jamins workshop was one of the very early and achieved highest respect for his photographic equipment. In the jear 1860 Jamin partnered up with Darlot, and in the year 1862 Jamin stopped working leaving the workshop to Darlot. This lens was made right at that moment in time. It is not engraved on the outer sleeve, like many frensh lenses in that time, but it offers a beautifull script on the glass elements, which reads: 'Darlot sud de Jamin'. Which means translated: 'Darlot the successor of Jamin'. This script / engraving was used by Darlot only for a couple of years, right after Jamin left the workshop.

The lens has a focal lenght of 480mm at a speed of F4.2. It will cover 11x14 and even 14x17 on portrait distance, with fine petzval characteristic on the ground glass.

Condition: This lens comes in a really nice condition, the brass has a warm golden laquere and shows only minor wear. Part of the outer sleeve was cutout at some point, to make room for a waterhouse slot, that doesnt harm the function in any part. The giant rack & pinion mechanism is complete and still working, though a but jumpy at times. The glass is ver nice, there are minimal specs and a minimal edge chip in the rear, which wont affect image quality at all. The image on the groundglass offers a nice sharp center with some petzval bokeh in the outer regions of the image circle.

Lens comes with a massive flange.

height: 30cm
width: 13cm
weight: 3800gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 30 eur
EU* - 60 eur
Worldwide - 120 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.