The Laverne Paris 12” f/4 Petzval lens
Last year a huge hunk of antique glass arrived at my doorstep off of the ol eBay. I picked up this beautiful, (sort of) mystery Petzval lens, finding no information on this particular No. 60 and very little on the optical company. Being a Petzval design, this lens was produced in the late 1800’s/very early 1900’s. I was eager to gather info and research the old fashioned way; wait, hope for the best and put it to the test.
This sucker is HUGE…and heavy. Coming in at a ~12” focal length at ~f/4, there’s a lot of glass here. There was a known amount of haze to the front element before purchasing, but I took my chances on that. First for a lens board. I had an extra lens board for the Osaka 8x10 field camera laying around purchased from Bitbybitphoto on Etsy (Check out their site, lots of nice 3D printed photo items, lens boards and accessories in their store) I drilled an appropriate sized hole with a 3” hole saw for the barrel diameter. Seeing this lens has no mounting flange, I went to my old trick - rubber and a hose clamp. In this case, two, seeing as the lens is so large. Also… a little gaffers tape as a temporary solution.
Now, I was excited to try this sucker out. I grabbed my brother and made him sit for a quick portrait so I could impatiently go process a paper negative. I shot this image below wide open (no waterhouse stops included) with a few Paul C Buff White Lightning strobes.
I was quite pleased with the dreamy, swirly and slightly pictorial look to this lens. I would say some of the characteristics stem from the slight haze to the front element. It is ridiculously sharp in the middle but with a slight dreamy look. Almost like a diffused focus feel to the highlights. I now wonder in my head how it may look without the haze, hmm… but I am pleased with these results! Now, I was eager to try an outdoor landscape. A landscape with a Petzval portrait lens you say? Well, why not?
The above image was insanely and without choice, shot wide open at f/4. I do recall having to pull this film a good amount and be quick with my shutter (my lens cap and hand)
This is still a favorite image of mine to this day of a place I visit and photograph often. The contact prints made from this image are lovely too. All around, I am happy with this beast of a mystery lens. Not always the case when it comes to my obsession with ancient lenses. But every lens has it’s place and use!
If you know more or have one of these branded lenses, reach out to me!
I’d love to hear other’s experience.
I’ll leave a few more examples of this glass in use and feel free to follow/connect via
IG: derekkeatonphoto
Flickr: flickr.com/derek_animal
