125-year-old lens, still in very clean, fully working condition!
The Hypergon was calculated and designed around 1900 by Emil von Hoegh. It consists of two strongly meniscus-shaped lenses arranged in a symmetrical configuration. When stopped down to small apertures (in this case f/48 or f/96), the lens delivers outstanding image quality across an exceptionally wide angle of view of approximately 135 degrees.
The pronounced light fall-off toward the edges of the image (vignetting) was compensated by a unique rotating star-shaped shutter mask positioned in front of the lens. This device was driven by compressed air: a small rubber hose connected the lens to a rubber bulb or bellows. By squeezing the bulb immediately before the exposure, the rotating mask was set into motion, temporarily shading the central portion of the image and thereby equalizing the exposure between the center and the outer areas of the negative.
An extraordinary example of early optical engineering and one of the most innovative wide-angle lens designs of the turn of the 20th century.
- Item weight: 1,00 kg
