History: This specimen is Kodaks answer to the Dallmeyer 3A potrait lens. WIth similar stats and even the Dallmeyer layout in the rear, it also offers a fantastic sharpness and the soft focus adjustment in the rear. This specimen was offered by Sweet Wallach & Co in Chicaco, Il. Sweet Wallach specialized distributing Kodak cameras and lenses under their own branding.

Condition: This beauty comes in a nice condition. The brass shows only light and a nice authentic golden patina. The greatest benefit here is the iris aperture, which is still working properly, something you wont find on many 16" petzval lenses. The glass is in nice condition too, there is no speeration, haze or fungus, only some cleaning marks in the front and some minor in the rear. In the end nothing of that does have an impact on the image, and it looks fantastic on the groundglass: a sharp center with a smooth falloff towards the outer parts.

Interestingly the lens features the Dallmeyer layout, and like the Dallmeyer A series, it features a diffusing mechanism in the rear.

With its fast open aperture of F4 and a focal lengh of 400mm (or 16"), this lens will work from 8x10 up to 11x14 formats, showing some fine character on portrait range.


It comes with a flange and is ready to shoot!



height: 22cm
width: 12cm
weight: 3200gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 10 eur
EU* - 40 eur
Worldwide - 90 eur

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.