From time to time you will see a lens appearing here, which is rarely sold at all. I know you may find a Cone in that size lets say every couple of years, but this one comes as a complete SET, including the brass lenscap, and even one of the authentic washer stops. That rarely will appear on the market.



History: The Cone Centralisateur lens design (which is a petzval design with a larger rear cone to avoid reflections), is absolutely famous and sought after in the late 19th century and even more today. It was the flagship lens for Jamins workshop in the early 1850ies and 1860ies in Paris. It offered better optical quality then most of his rivals, but also a possibility to it as a portrait (portrait mode) lens and also as a landscape lens (paysage). Even though its a normal petzval design, you will see a slight difference to other portrait petzvals from that time. The Cone Centralisateur lenses have this cenrtain 'something' to their image, which is hard to grasp, but many people are looking for.

The engraving reads:

'JAMIN & Darlot Bte s.g.d.g - R Chapon 14 Paris'

and the serial number is: 3632

Bearing in mind that the engraving used Jamins and Darlots name at the same time, was only a couple of years, between 1860 and 1862. And alas the rear lens element is marked with:

'Jamin et Darlot a Paris 1860'

which makes it easy to date to the manufacturing year of 1860.

Condition: This brass beauty comes in a collectors condition. It shows some wear but also a fantastic patina, as it was not polished. The rack & pinion mechanism seems complete, not working though. Another stunning feature here, is the middle part which features a possibility for washer stops. Most washer style stops have been lost in the decades that followed, but this beauty still managed to mantain one of the original stops and the plate that holds them. There is even the center part, that can be used as a stop in landscape mode. I had quite a couple of cones so far, but this is probably one of the most complete.

The glass is in a really good condition also, i cant see much of cleaning marks there, and besides that there is no obvious damage or seperation visible. 

With its fast open aperture of about F4 and a focal lengh of 300mm (or almost 12"), this lens will work anywhere from 8x10 to 10x12 format.

In landscape mode it will have an estimated focal lenght of 600mm, covering huge ULF formats like 20" x 20" !

It comes with a flange, the original brass lenscap and one authentic washer stop.



height: 22cm
width: 10cm
weight: 2300gr

Insured and tracked shipping cost:

Germany - 20 eur
EU* - 60 eur
Worldwide - 100 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)

** the high cost is due the high insurance value

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.