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Classic Cookes – Taking a look back at our extensive lens catalogue, their place in history and impact on the industry.
80mm f/2.8 Taylor-Hobson Adotal – Serial 356376 – Likely produced in the mid 1940s, post WWII.
Regarded as one of the top 6×6 format lenses of the time. This lens was most often seen on the Kershaw Peregrine and Curlew roll film cameras. In this scenario the aperture control was placed behind a Talykron shutter which offered control of the shutter speed on a dial.
A f/3.5 version of the lens also existed (dubbed the Roytal) but research suggests it was quite a scarce commodity. These miniature anastigmats were part of a series that seemed to range from 60mm up to 135mm in focal length.
The lens photographed here is an even rarer version that has the aperture control on the lens assembly. This allowed the lens to be used in more industrial settings including for television.
The iris has 12 leaves and historical accounts suggest the lens was very sharp with high contrast in the centre and a gentle fall off towards the edges.
This lens, and it’s charming screw-on Taylor-Hobson rear cap, is on display in our London showroom and was photographed on the Cooke Macro/i FF 60 & 150mm lenses.
