I photograph the wild horses of Missouri using a Dallmeyer Dallon Tele-Anastigmat 12-inch F5.6 large-format lens on my Graflex Series D 4×5 large-format SLR camera.
This lens is also available in a 17-inch (430mm) f/5.6 version, and I am currently getting a lensboard made to try and use in the field for my wild horse photography.
Dallmeyer Catalog PDF.
The 17-inch lens’s mounting flange has an overall diameter of 84MM and an inside threaded diameter of 63MM. It will mount on my Series D 95mm x 95mm lens board.
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My Dallmeyer Dallon 12-inch Tele-Anastigmat
The Dallmeyer Dallon Tele-Anastigmat Lens: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
The Dallmeyer Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens is a celebrated piece of optical engineering that has stood the test of time. Renowned for its exceptional quality and unique characteristics, this lens holds a special place in the history of photography.
In this article, I share the history, design, and specifications of the Dallmeyer Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens, offering a detailed exploration of what makes this lens so special.
Based on my research, I believe I have a Series VI version of the Dallmeyere Dallon lens.
History of the Dallmeyer Dallon Tele-Anastigmat Lens
Origins of Dallmeyer Lenses
The Dallmeyer company was founded in London in 1860 by John Henry Dallmeyer, a pioneering figure in the field of photography and optics.
The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality lenses, and it became known for its innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship.
Dallmeyer lenses were widely used by photographers and cinematographers throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Development of the Dallon Tele-Anastigmat
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens was introduced in the early 20th century, during a period of significant advancement in photographic technology. The demand for telephoto lenses was growing, driven by the need for lenses that could provide magnified images without the distortion and aberrations common in earlier designs.
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat was Dallmeyer’s response to this demand, offering photographers a high-quality telephoto lens to deliver sharp, detailed images. This is important because I use this lens wide open to get fast enough shutter speeds for the wild horses. Between the sharp images and fast aperture, this 120-year-old lens is ideal for my wild horse photography.
Lens Design and Optical Characteristics
Optical Design
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens is a telephoto lens, a type of lens designed to provide a longer focal length than its physical length. This design allows photographers to achieve greater magnification without requiring a lens that is prohibitively long. The lens is constructed using an anastigmat design, which corrects for astigmatism and provides sharp, clear images across the entire field of view.
More information is available in the Dallmeyer Catalog.
Lens Elements and Groups
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat typically features a multi-element design, with several groups of lens elements working together to correct various optical aberrations. This complex design helps to minimize distortion, chromatic aberration, and spherical aberration, resulting in images with excellent clarity and contrast.
Focal Lengths and Aperture
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat was produced in various focal lengths, ranging from 6 inches to 24 inches. The lens offered relatively fast maximum apertures for its time, often around f/5.6 to f/6.3, which allowed photographers to achieve good depth of field control and performance in lower light conditions.
The image below is from the Dallmeyer 1931 Lens Catalog. As noted below, my lens with an aperture of F/5.6 is a series VI.
Technical Specifications
Build Quality and Materials
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens is renowned for its robust construction and high-quality materials. The lens body is typically made from brass or aluminum, with a finely machined focusing mechanism that ensures smooth and precise operation. The lens elements are crafted from high-quality optical glass, carefully ground and polished to exacting standards.
Coating and Treatment
Many Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lenses feature anti-reflective coatings applied to the lens elements. These coatings help to reduce flare and ghosting, improving contrast and overall image quality. The use of such coatings was a relatively advanced feature for lenses of this era, highlighting Dallmeyer’s commitment to optical excellence.
Mounts and Compatibility
The Dallon Tele-Anastigmat was produced with various lens mounts to accommodate different camera systems. Common mounts include the D-mount and C-mount, making the lens compatible with a range of cameras, from large format to early cine cameras. This versatility made the Dallon Tele-Anastigmat a popular choice among photographers and cinematographers alike.
Legacy and Collectibility
Collector’s Item
Today, the Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens is highly sought after by collectors and photography enthusiasts. Its historical significance, coupled with its excellent optical performance, makes it a prized addition to any collection of vintage photographic equipment. Collectors appreciate the lens not only for its technical capabilities but also for its role in the evolution of photographic technology.
Conclusion
The Dallmeyer Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens remains an enduring symbol of photographic innovation and excellence. From its origins in the early 20th century to its status as a coveted collector’s item today, this lens represents the pinnacle of optical design and craftsmanship. Whether you are a photographer looking to explore the rich history of photographic equipment or a collector seeking to add a piece of optical artistry to your collection, the Dallon Tele-Anastigmat lens is a testament to the enduring legacy of Dallmeyer lenses.
