-40%

Voigtlander Heliar 30cm f/3.5 Lens (Carl Meyer Videostigmat, ULTRA RARE)

$ 1055.47

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Focal Length: 30cm
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Type: barrel lens
  • Brand: Voigtländer
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5

    Description

    Voigtlander Heliar 30cm f/3.5 Lens (Carl Meyer Videostigmat, ULTRA RARE). Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
    Here is a lens from my personal vault which I was never going to sell - a beautiful Voigtlander Heliar 30cm barrel lens in the incredibly rare f/3.5 variant. This lens produces wonderful portrait imagery in 4x5-8x10" sizes utilizing the fast f/3.5 aperture. This lens is particularly unique, in that it's rebranded as a 'Carl Meyer Videostigmat'. Although there isn't much information about these lenses online, I've included a Worthpoint page showing a Voigtlander copy, and as you can see they are identical - within just 10 serial numbers of each other.
    In terms of condition, this is a vintage piece of gear and shows signs of age. The front optical group shows signs of separation, and some bubbling, which is very common in lenses of this era. The front also has one small scratch, which I've tried to photograph. The rear group, unfortunately, has fungus trapped between the elements and etchings of fungus on the inner optic. And of course, the typical slight dust and cleaning marks found in all old lenses. That said, these are never things that I thought would hinder it from making beautiful photographs. Furthermore, I've gotten some quotes from optical shops to correct these issues, which I planned to do eventually. A proper restoration would bring this lens back to tip-top shape, but that's not needed in the meantime.
    Although the barrel shows signs of use, the aperture turns smoothly across the range of speeds. The blades have some oil, but nothing crazy. This listing is for the lens only, no mounting flange or lens caps will be included.
    Please know that I've done my best to describe this lens as accurately as possible, and it is not going to be perfect. If you use these types of lenses, I'm sure you can see that this copy is capable of making incredible photographs. The lens is sold AS-IS with NO RETURNS, and will be shipped double-boxed and fully insured anywhere in the CONUS.
    Please let me know if you have any questions before bidding!