Desparately seeking one element for Conley 8" Three-Focus

[dzhaughnne]

I know this is an *extreme* longshot, but I have a beautiful but

incomplete Conley 8" "Three Focus" lens (8",14",18") in original

shutter.<p>

 

I've brought the shutter back from the dead and it is now almost

unbelievably consistent.<p>

 

Problem is that one element is missing. The element that I have

appears to focus to 14" and appears to be the front element. I say

*appears* to be the front because I'm not sure, since: 1) there is no

writing where the "beauty ring" on modern lenses would be; 2) I think

I've read that normally the *rear* element alone would give the middle

focal range of a convertible lens; and, 3) it seems to be permanently

mounted in a copper-brass color ring (same color as the face of the

shutter) that has the following inscribed on it:<p>

 

-- Conley F.8 Three Focus Rapid Rectillinear<p>

-- 5x7 8 inch Focus No.21XX<p>

 

Again, I realize this may be the longest shot in the history of

photo.net, but it's really a beautiful old lens and I'm quite proud of

having fixed the shutter.<p>

 

So, if anybody has the other element from a Conley F.8 Three-Focus

lying around, or knows where I'd have a chance of getting my paws on

one, please let me know.<p>

 

Many thanks,<p>

 

John

[dzhaughnne]

CORRECTION: On further inspection, the element I have seems to give an <b>18"</b> focal length, so I assume it *is* the original front element.<p>

 

So it seems certain that it is the *rear* element I'm looking for.<p>

 

Thanks.

[thirteenthumbs]

According to the Lens Collector's Vade Mecum: Rapid rectilinear, from about 1866, a well corrected lens apart from

astigmatism, which was uncorrected; and:Conley, USA

This seems to be a trade name of Sears Roebuck about 1910. Items listed included:

Rapid Rectilinear f8.0 6.25-8.5in

This gave 3 foci as the cells were of different foci.

[tito sobrinho]

Hi, John:

 

I have a Half Plate Conley (4 1/4" X 6 1/2"). I bought it 5 years ago at a camera show in Atlanta. It came with the case+3 holders, bulb and, most important, the extension rail. My lens, was made by Wollensak and says Conley Safety. It is a convertible like yours: 8", 14" and,18". You are right, the whole gives you 8". The rear cell 14" and the front cell 18". With the 18" you will need the extension rail. My Conley was made in 1912 and it is portable. Beautiful cherry wood, ivory markings and hardware in nickel. Sometimes, I want to take a picture but, the film is very difficult to find. Perhaps I will use paper negative. BTW, was the picture displayed, done with the Conley? Another day, I removed the lens and mounted it on my Horseman 985 exposing a Polaroid. Wonderful results! Good luck in finding the rear cell. I will keep my eyes and ears open.

[dzhaughnne]

Thanks very much for the responses so far.

 

No, the posted photo was not taken with the Conley; I posted it just as an added bonus to try to get people to respond. (Dirty trick?) Actually, I don't have a Conley camera, only the lens. I think I can rig a way to use it on a 9x12 Voigtlander for which I have plenty of film, though, and if the results are good enough it could help justify taking the plunge to a full 4x5.

 

I've generally been extremely pleased with vintage lenses that I've used on the Voigtlander (including especially the Heliar 150/4.5 that came with it, a 135/4.5 Tessar and an old 8" Wollensak Anastigmat).

 

I seem to be an incurable tinkerer, especially when it comes to cameras. I think I've figured out a way to accommodate 14" and even 18" on the Voigtlander -- a back extension that would even provide some tilt -- and having that extra element would certainly provide the impetus to try.

 

Thanks again.

 

Any more takers?

 

John

[gauthier]

John, are you still following this thread? If yes, write me a e-mail. I just acquired a 12.5 inches, 8x10 Conley lens, exactly in the shutter described above. Maybe I can help.