Description
You are bidding on a SUPERB and VERY RARE example of a WW2 German Luftwaffe Aerotopograph Camera Lense, as used in conjunction with various Recconaisance Aircraft! This was brought back by a US Veteran, along with the other camera parts I have listed.
Topogon is a wide field (originally 100 degrees field of view), symmetrical photographic lens designed by Robert Richter in 1933 for Zeiss Carl FA. Lenses produced under the name Metrogon also cite the US patent of the Topogon design. The initial design patented by Richter was for a f=66mm f/6.3 lens, although the patent also contains two other refinements to the basic design, including one that used parallel elements to minimize vignetting.
Topogon lenses have been produced with maximum apertures ranging from f/3.5 to f/15 in various focal lengths. According to Richter, the Topogon was developed from the earlier Hypergon. Although the Hypergon covered a wide angle of view (140°) and had good flatness of field and distortion characteristics, the maximum aperture was limited to f/22 to control longitudinal spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. A new computation of a “fast” Hypergon was made by limiting the angle of view to 90°, increasing maximum aperture to f/6.3. The Topogon was then derived from the “fast” Hypergon by adding a second set of strongly curved meniscus elements inboard of the larger spherical elements to correct longitudinal spherical aberration.
Made of glass, aluminum, and steel, by Carl Zeiss, this camera lens is in EXCELLENT used condition! It still retains 95% of it’s original paint, and also the original data information! As per 1943 military regulations, the 3 digit code for “Zeiss” was removed from the bezel. Dating around 1944, there are no cracks, marks, or damage…but there is some dirt externally (can be removed easily). I have shown how it mounts in the last photo (mounting ring shown in last photo is not included). Brought back to the US by Veteran, it would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!
Please email me if you need additional photos or information.
——————- PAYMENT —————–
Payment should be made within 7 business days at the end of the auction unless buyer contacts me for other arrangements. I accept all forms of payment.
——————- SHIPPING —————–
My goal is to ship within 7 days from auction end. However, depending on circumstances, it may take up to an additional 1 week from receipt of confirmed payment. If you need it shipped sooner, please let me know and I will do our best to accommodate.
——————- TERMS OF SALE —————–
Most of my items are vintage, and as such are AS-IS, so you must therefore expect a degree of wear due to age and/or usage. I will describe each auction to the best of my knowledge and take as many photos necessary to ensure you are pleased upon receiving your item. All sales are final, so please make sure your questions are answered to your satisfaction before you purchase.
——————- ABOUT ME —————–
Although my passion is the Me109, I do offer many other German Aircraft (Fw190, Me262, etc.), as well as USAF and Japanese items. Occasionally I do offer many non-vintage items such as prints and art relating to the time period. As a private collector myself, I am constantly on the lookout for historical memorabilia, authentic photographs, artwork or anything unique relating to military aircraft.
——————- COPYRIGHT —————–
All pictures and descriptions used in my auctions under COPYRIGHT and I forbid the use of these photos and information in any manner such as paper or electronic (internet) publications or otherwise. Use is solely based on my authorization only. |
