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marilynf
Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Chicago
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 Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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I have inherited a lot of cameras and their components and have been having a hard time researching them. I did find some info on this site regarding a barrel lens I have. It is a Pentac N.O.C. 8" f/2.9. The lens has no. 025944. It seems to be coated. I believe it was used in WWll on an aerial camera, as my uncle was in the Army Air Corp and did aerial photography. I would like some info on this item, or a possible place to go for more information. Please help!! Thanks! Marilyn
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Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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On 2005-01-30 04:39, marilynf wrote:
I have inherited a lot of cameras and their components and have been having a hard time researching them. I did find some info on this site regarding a barrel lens I have. It is a Pentac N.O.C. 8" f/2.9. The lens has no. 025944. It seems to be coated. I believe it was used in WWll on an aerial camera, as my uncle was in the Army Air Corp and did aerial photography. I would like some info on this item, or a possible place to go for more information. Please help!! Thanks! Marilyn
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There's not a lot to know about it. The Pentac was designed by L. B. Booth for Dallmeyer and came to market in 1920. It is a 5 elements in three groups lens in the same design family as Voightlaender's Heliar.
National Optical Company (N.O.C.) was a Taylor, Taylor, & Hobson daughter factory.
8" Pentacs were made for the RAF during WWII by a number of lens plants. Few -- I'd thought none -- were coated. So that yours is coated is a surprise. Check it.
The Lens Collector's Vade Mecum says that pre-WWII and post-WWII Dallmeyer-made Pentacs are quite good lenses, in one place says they are usable wide open. The VM also says that WWII-vintage ex-RAF Pentacs are very variable in quality and that many led hard lives. Finally, the VM says that the 8" covers 4x5.
I take it you're planning to sell your late uncle's lens. Prices they fetch on eBay are all over the place.
Good luck,
Dan |
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marilynf
Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:06 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Dan for such a quick and informative reply. The only reason I said it was coated is because I have an ektanon lens that is luminized (I have seen that that means coated) and my Pentac seems to have the same texture. I could be way wrong here. It actually seems to be in very good condition, as he took great care of all his camera equipment. His brother was also a combat photographer and I have a wonderful old Speed Grapic also that I will never sell. He was near and dear to me, plus I have photos of him in Europe with the camera. Thanks again!
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ascex
Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Posts: 22
Location: united kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Ive got a coated NOC 8" pentac (definately military)and a later serial no. one uncoated .I assume these were coated later on as secondhand -post war. |
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disemjg
Joined: 10 Jan 2002
Posts: 474
Location: Washington, DC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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I just got one in a batch of junk; mine is uncoated and seems in nice shape. I suspect that it's one of the wartime lenses made for the Brits; it has an engraving on the side of the barrel: A.M. No 14A/780 with a crown device. A.M. is doubtless Air Ministry.
I have not checked yet, but the flange seems too big to go on a Pacemaker board. Not sure what I'll do if it does not fit. Maybe I'll kludge something unsightly up to make it work.
I figure I paid about fifty bucks for this one. |
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disemjg
Joined: 10 Jan 2002
Posts: 474
Location: Washington, DC
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:11 am Post subject: |
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More on the Pentac. The flange is way too big, unless I carve big sections off of it. Might just do that, as the flange is distorted from an impact anyway and is very hard to get on and off.
The front element is loose and can rattle around a bit. Instead of a threaded retaining ring, it looks like it has a ring that is captive by having the mount crimped over it. Clearly not intended for disassembly, but tightening it is another matter. I'll probably have to stake it, but will ponder it for a while before taking such drastic action.
I wonder if the loose front element is common, and contributes to their spotty reputation? |
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