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Lightning lens [Compagnie Française de Photographie] ?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 09:38
par Stephen G
Bonjour everyone!
I was wondering is anyone has seen this lens before. It come from an unidentified tailboard (maybe French) and this lens indenificathion may give a clue to the camera.
The only engraving is "Made in France" and "Lightning Reg'd"
Possibly made for the English market or maybe the name would read "foudre"? Was there a lens called Foudre?
Please see some photos below.
Merci, Stephen.
lightning-france.jpg
lightning-france.jpg (43.82 Kio) Vu 7091 fois
lightning-lens.jpg
lightning-lens.jpg (42.09 Kio) Vu 7090 fois

Re: French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 10:04
par Eric Carlhan
"foudre" is few used for a name (excepted for big barrels :wink: ), "éclair" is most current

Re: French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 10:32
par Stephen G
Bonjour Eric
I googled Eclair and found something close called Euryscope. Still not called lightning mind you...
I will take some pictures of the camera soon and maybe someone might recognize the brand.
Regards, Stephen.

Re: French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 10:48
par Sylvain Halgand
Hi Stephen,

please insert the pictures in the message, not with an external site. Thank you.

Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 11:15
par Stephen G
Hi Sylvain
Sorry, I will fix the links above.
Here is the unbranded tailboard the lens is off.
1/2 plate format and double film holders that lock in place with the same release knob that locks the viewing screen in place.

Regards, Stephen.
unknowen-tailboard1.jpg
unknowen-tailboard1.jpg (179.78 Kio) Vu 7090 fois

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 11:43
par Stephen G
Here is the rear/underside of the camera.
tailboard2.jpg
tailboard2.jpg (99.81 Kio) Vu 7074 fois

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 14:15
par Sylvain Halgand
Thank you.

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 14:21
par André GD
Bonjour, Stephen,

Nice field camera, with square format bellows (it's heavier, but I prefer the rotating back).

It looks like a french camera, but usually french cameras have a format in metric measure : 13X18, 18X24... in cm (btw what is the exact size of the glass ?).

Unfortunately, without anything written on the wood, it's difficult to identify...

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 14:49
par Stephen G
Hi Andre
I took the back off and noticed it can be placed in landscape or portrait orientation. I also noticed it has anchor slots for a septum. I wonder if it might have been a stereo originally and the lens was added later. The front standard has a very wide aperture, too wide for just shift I think.
The glass measures 12 x 16.5cm.
Here is a picture of one of the film holders. The white plaque in the middle has worn out and there is nothing to be read on all six of them...
Regards, Stephen.
unknowen-filmholder.jpg
unknowen-filmholder.jpg (128.01 Kio) Vu 7025 fois

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 18:40
par Arnaud SAUDAX
:Hello: The round white plate is a "memo", to write on with a paper pencil.
Have you seen the Soulé catalog ?

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 19:22
par ROCHEVALIER Michel
:Hello: Stephen,
The back holder presents some similitaries with mine, witch belongs to a chamber "Soulé de Luxe Professionnelle number 24.

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : lun. 14 nov. 2011 20:10
par Daniel C
Bonsoir Stephen,
I am far from being a specialist on the matter but it seems to me that Arnaud provided a good track.
If we consider this page of the Soulé catalog, http://www.collection-appareils.fr/soul ... eln_24.php looking at the item called “Chambre de luxe pour professionnels” we may find some similarities with your camera (e.g. ground glass frame with double articulation hinges, design of the piece of hardware supporting the rear part ...)
My searches regarding the “ lightning” lens were fruitless.
kind regards

Daniel

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : mar. 15 nov. 2011 12:54
par Stephen G
Thank you all! :Tchin:
Looks like I could be from the Soule family.
Here are some photos if it helps. Pictures are worth a thousand words!

Every darkslide has this number.
darkslide-number.jpg
darkslide-number.jpg (74.87 Kio) Vu 6916 fois
The rear support up close.
rear-support.jpg
rear-support.jpg (186.17 Kio) Vu 6919 fois
The Lightning aperture knob.
lensclose.jpg
lensclose.jpg (45.58 Kio) Vu 6916 fois
Extended
extended.jpg
extended.jpg (180.44 Kio) Vu 6918 fois
Wooden pin to line up rear standard to the front when closed. Two on the top of the front standard.
pin.jpg
pin.jpg (163.76 Kio) Vu 6917 fois

Re: Camera & French Lightning lens ID?

Posté : ven. 15 juin 2012 15:31
par Arnaud SAUDAX
:Hello: Dans son opus N° 12, Jean-Loup Princelle signale que Napoléon Conti de la Compagnie Française de Photographie (surtout connu grâce au Photosphère.) signait ses objectifs soit "Compagnie Française de Photographie", soit "Lightning", ces objectifs équipant des chambres métalliques (13x18 et 18x24) autour de 1888.
Ce constructeur était situé 3, rue de Mailly puis 7, rue de Solférino (au moins de 1899 à 1902).

Re: Lightning lens [Compagnie Française de Photographie] ?

Posté : lun. 18 juin 2012 13:04
par Stephen G
:Tchin:
Thank you for the information Arnaud.
Yet another mystery solved!
Best regards, Stephen.