Review summaries and lens comparisons.
From the late-1970s and until well into the 1990’s the BelOMO optical works of Belarus (known before 1971 as MMZ) churned out many substantial projector lenses of variable design and quality, now cheaply available on the used market – sometimes referred to as ‘those Russian KP’ lenses. Mindful of Belarus’ technical independence from the former …
Like its close rival Ross, the Kershaw brand dates to the latter half of the 19th Century, and was therefore among the first generation of makers to design lenses for projection. The story of A. Kershaw & Sons is briefly recapped in this article, explaining its intertwining with the Gaumont and Kalee brands en-route to …
This article is my attempt at giving an overview of a couple of notable enlarging and industrial type lenses made by Tomioka. If you’re interested in the history of this interesting, but still not well documented manufacturer from Japan, you can find some of that under ‘The Tomioka Story‘ . Contents Here’s a quick look …
Meopta’s first range of 8mm, 9.5mm and 16mm projectors was launched in 1934, equipped with the company’s own Polar and OP lenses. Lenses for 8mm & 16mm Film Projection: CORRIGON for 8mm: Only available in a 28mm mount for Meopta’s Super AM8, the original Corrigon 25/1.3 (Catalogue 806 50) was a five element / three …
Introduction The Delta Hall of Fame grades for sharpness 200 enlarger, projector and industrial lenses at two working distances. Lenses that score 90%+ are awarded Gold – reference-quality.Lenses that score 80-90% are awarded Silver – serviceable for professional use.Lenses that score 70-80% are awarded Bronze – borderline suitable or obviously compromised.Lenses that score below 70% …
NB: This is a draft (incomplete) article. If you have any in-depth information, or original manufacturer manuals, catalogues or period advertisements that might be relevant, please email Mark here. Peer review and contributors welcome, and will be credited. Similarly, if you have any memorable images shot with these lenses, we’re happy to show them in …
Dust long having settled on the carcass of the industry, it seems in hindsight that Leica treated the production of domestic slide projectors more seriously than the Zeiss / Zett / Voigtlander combine. Leica’s catalogue of projector lenses represents the acme of the craft, matched by none for breadth and few for depth: for image …
NB: This is a draft article with a number of omissions and content to be added. If you have any in-depth information, or original manufacturer manuals, catalogues or period advertisements that might be relevant, please email Mark here. Peer review and contributors welcome, and will be credited. Similarly, if you have any memorable images shot …
Přerov, in the former Czech Republic, has been the production base of Meopta since 1933, when it was founded by Alois Mazurek, an enterprising professor at a local industrial school. Prior to nationalisation and re-branding in 1946 the company was known as Optikotechna Přerov. It is testimony to their build quality that a surprising number …
Agfa/Reflecta Slide Projector Models With one exception, Agfa slide projector lenses were not serialled – often an indicator that the manufacturer doesn’t take them seriously. Agfa’s reputation in Mainland Europe is healthy, but UK opinion is well summarised by the view of a repair specialist who recently harrumphed in my direction: “Well… Agfa projectors – …