neco z mych skromnych sbirek :
vyber si co potrebujes, ale jak uz tu zaznelo asi 1000x - kup si jednou neco poradnyho
Wray Ltd., (Mr M. Wray), Laurel House, North Hill, Highgate, London.
also at Hanover St, Peckham, London, from 1910 under Mr A.A. Smith and at:
Ashgrove Rd., Bromley, Kent, UK., from 1915 under Mr A.A.Smith.
The firm was thought by Mr A.W. Smith to have been founded about 1850 by a Mr Wray, a solicitor with an
interest in astronomy. (An advert. in B.J.A. 1954 says 'established in the same year as Fox-Talbot brought
photography into practical being'...) The 1850 date was quoted in Mr Smith's memoir and adverts. such as
B.J.A. 1924, p588;1936 p510, but seems not to be a historically proven date. One reason was that the firm's
initial products were quite possibly all non-photographic, possibly telescopes made in the coach house at
home, and later opthalmic glasses. The firm seems to have begun to make photographic lenses from about
1880 or a little before, but again this is not an exact date.
Early photographic products were said to include RR and portrait ie Petzval, lenses and Mr Wray helped to
pioneer the iris diaphragm and a 13in RR was found to keep a fully circular stop at all apertures from f8 to f64-
the circularity being a major criterion (See BJA 1889, p598) . They are mentioned in the B.J.A. 1891 as now
using the new Jena glass in a new series of lenses for hand cameras. These were of 4 to 6in focus, and the
6in was tried and found to cover 1/4plate excellently and as it was very compact, even up to 8.5x6.5in when
stopped down.
Later the Platystigmat, an early symmetrical anastigmat was launched soon after 1890, but was withdrawn
as the glass was found to be unstable, and a new version designed. Mr Wray died late in the 19C and two
ladies inherited the concern. Production was said to have slowly run down under a foreman as the owners
grew old and the firm was merely ticking over in 1908 when Mr Smith bought it. Thus it seems likely that
Victorian products from the 1880 designs will be easier to find than the next period and this is to some extent
true although Platystigmats do seem to occur fairly steadily, so that a collector should be able to find one. A
small cone shaped meniscus lens is an early type of item, at No71x.
Early Type Items. These will be made under Mr W. Wray.
Meniscus lenses These are probably early items but may have sold into the new century. There is a
suggestion that they date from 1886. All could be had in aluminium mount (as well as brass?) and with iris
stops by Amateur Photo. 30/10/1891.Two types of mount have been seen:
(a) Cone mount in brass finish for use with Waterhouse stops at No71x, about 10in focus for 1/1plate. This is
a very attractively finished item. Another at auction was No621.This suggests they tend to be early items.
(
Barrel mount with iris. This is No143x and is a smaller, 8in perhaps, lens for 1/2plate and here there is
an iris from f8-f64. It was probably used only closed down. The iris suggests it is after 1890 approx. as Wray
were one of the leaders in introducing the iris about this time. The f8 version used Jena glass. Optically they
may be the much the same but the cone here is an attractive mounting. Both are in the 'old' fine mounting
threads and can be used in the same flange.
Fig 017 003 Wray Meniscus lenses in cone mount No716 and barrel No1435.
In 1889 they were as Wide Angle Landscape, and Narrow Angle Landscape, with no offer of a cone.
Wide Angle Landscape (1889) for 90° This was made as:
a,3.5in; b,4.625in; c, 6.0in; d,7.0in; e, 8.0in; f, 9.0in; g, 10in.
Narrow Angle Landscape Lenses; no angle was quoted here.
It was made in 7.5in for 5x4, 9.0in for 6.5x5in; 12in for 8.5x6.5in; 15in for 10x8in and 18in for 12x10in.
Casket Lenses
A 5x4in set had a barrel with iris and 3 cells of focus 5, 7.5, 10in (? as pairs) with a neat pocket 'cabinet' to
carry them. The iris was calibrated for each combination, eg f8-f64 for the 5in up to f16-f64 for the 10in. This
was a high quality item. (B.J.A. Almanac 1889 p62advert., p599 (noted), when it was a 'new' item; also 1890,
p53 (ad) account p599; Amateur Photo., 30/10/1891). It was not new then. The 1890 list had :
for 5x4in, with 5, 7.5, 10in focus.
for 6.5x5in, with 6.5, 9.0, 12in focus.
for 8.5x6.5in with 9.0, 12, 15in focus.
Single (Meniscus) Stereo Lenses These were noted as matched pairs in 1889 in 5in, and 1901 at f11.3 in
5.0, and 7.0in.
Other stereo pairs, (not all necessarily meniscus) noted were: 495x (2x)on a 5x7in Chadwick; 659x (2x); 835x
(2x); 869x (2x); 10,77x (2x) and 422x/279x. (These last may be due to a later purchase or repair, as the
numbers are so far apart?)
Rapid Rectilinear
Rapid Rectilinear Lenses f5.6 These were made in 1/4pl and 5x4in sizes, and are rated as Portrait
RR's. (Wra001). One has been noted at No 210x with Waterhouse stops, and at No10,09x, an f5.6/4.5in was
in brass with disk stop plate to f32.
Rapid Rectilinear f8.0 These were made for 5x6.5in to 22x18in sizes (8 sizes in all) and were
seen as a 10in (?) for 5x6.5in at No 2,15x with Waterhouse stops and as a 5in lens at No11,28x and 12,130,
and 5.5in No6,493 both with a rotating disc stop. Both seem to be f8 max. Both are "fine thread" mounting
screw threads. Others suggest it was a relatively major product, though no Wray of the period is very
common. The earliest noted at No189 on a RR for 6.5x5in already had an iris, but it may have been only on
expensive versions initially. It was still used on the N&G Nydia about 1900, and an example at auction was
Nydia No179 with RR no12,25x. There may well be two types of these.
(a) Thus the old could be of the old glasses up to 1891. And then:
(
The B.J.A. for 1891 notes that the Wray f8.0 lens for hand cameras in 4-6in was now made using Jena
glass. A 6in lens of these covered 1/4 plate easily and was usable on up to 8.5x6.5in when closed down.
Fig 017 005 Wray RR lenses (l) for 1/2plate use and ® in 9in for a larger format 1/1plate?
Fig 017 007 Wray Small RR lenses and WAR lenses for 1/4plate size.
It is now hard to tell which type an RR belongs to. One cleaned had a very hard and tenacious lacquer coat
which was very slow to remove and the brass seemed also to be a very good type. It needed a new stop plate
making and this was turned as a 44mm dia x 1mm thick brass disc with 5 apertures from f8 to f64 turning on a
6BA screw as pivot, and this proved surprisingly easy to do.
Some idea of the serial numbers can be found from the following note. "An N&G 1/4plate Detective was
presented by Mr Guardia to Mr Groves on his Wedding in 01/06.1896, and carried a Wray London
5.5in RR No8803 set in an N&G shutter." based on a sale at Christie's 14/03/1991. Other RR's were noted at
Nos 12,02x, (5in); 729x on a 4in; 788x on a 5.5in; 944x on a 1/4plate N&G, N01225x on a Nydia 1/4plate, and
lenses Nos 946x and 961x are considered dateable as c.1893 and c.1890 respectively. (NB c. means about.
The Grove item suggests these dates are actually too early, but this will need further study.)
Wide Angle Rectilinear f16 or possibly f11. These were met in two series, the older with a letter code
to show the size, from Size A at about 3in to C at about 5in., and at serial numbers up to No11,28x. Later
lenses seem to be given a focal length in inches, from 3 to 9in being noted. All those seen have rotating disc
stops and are in brass finish, and here Serial Nos run from at least No6,47x to 10,09x. An exceptional one
was No8,42x, for 2in (=51mm) and this used washer stops, the front cell being unscrewed to fit the stop after
focussing without it. This will be due to the very small size of the lens. These WARs are relatively common
and must have been a successful product up to about 1910. They seem easier to get than the RRs. Two have
been met marked in addition:
A.A.Pearson Leeds, about 3in (Coded A) No101x
A.A.Pearson Leeds, about 5in (Coded C) No97x. He was probably an agent and quite possibly they went
there in the same package in the 1880's.
Portrait Lenses Probably Petzval type but note the f5.6 RR above.
Special Lenses for handcameras.
Mr Caldwell's shutter, 1-1/400sec This was a 2-blade sector shaped affair for 2sec to 1/100sec and time. It
was noted in B.J.A. 1889, p63. It might be had with Mr Wray's lenses or with 'strange' lenses, when an extra
charge was made for fitting.
Re Iris, see Mr Smith of Wray in B.J.A. 1889, p598. He was then obviously a well known expert. This was
also noted in Amateur Photo. 30/10/1891, p321. The iris then was 'new' still. It does seem that the early serial
numbers run in series but this may not apply later when the firm changed hands.
Lantern Projection Lenses f3.0 These were made in 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 9in in 1901.
Casket Lenses These were with sets of lenses of three sizes at least. These had an iris, 3 cells to fit one
mount and used Jena glass and this may suggest that Jena glass was also used in the RR lenses.
a 3.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10in for 5x4in. (B.J.A. 1889, p600; 1890, p53) Iris to f64.
b. 6.5, 9.0, 12in for 1/2plate, 1.75in dia. single lenses.
c. 9.0, 12, 15in for 1/1plate.
These are slightly unusual items for the UK but have not been seen.
Anastigmats
Wray developed and sold anastigmats from the late 1890's (see B.J.A. 1900) and these seem to have been an
f8.0 version of the layout used in the Kollinear (Layout Wra002, Wra003). No 9,61x and 11,88x (5in and 9in
cells) seem to be a two focus type separable lens, ie with equal focus cells back and front. Wray seem to
have had bad luck here in that the glass initially used proved to be unstable and the first Platystigmats
deteriorated badly due to weathering. Thus there was a redesign and the collector may find both versions. The
layout Wra002 (old type) and Wra003(new type) suggests there was little change but rather the same type of
design was respecified for a new glass- but it has not been possible to say if the curves changed. Probably
Schott of Jena issued a new harder glass to replace the old. The first sample seen was in excellent condition,
the next two had suffered severe balsam failure. This seems to be rather normal and another has two deep
scratches suggesting quite soft glass was used. (One report said the old glass "devitrified.") It covers quite a
good angle. A puzzle is one advert. saying "Real intensity f7, Nominal f8".
Another question must be the exact patent position, as the basic layout seems to be that covered for the
Steinheil Orthostigmat lenses, and shared with Voigtlaender, and used by Beck under license in the UK. (One
just possible idea is that while Steinheil licensed their patent rights to Beck, Voigtlaender did the same for
Wray, but without any apparent publicity. But this is pure conjecture...)
Platystigmat (New type) f8.0 (f7.5) It was made in 3.0-16in and use 4in or longer for 5x4 (B.J.A. 1901,
p32). It was given as covering 60° at f8.0, 90° at f32. New hard glass was used for a damp resistant design.
There does not seem to be any obvious means of telling if a lens is the second type, although most probably
are. Thus the condition must be carefully examined on purchase. They seem often to be in 5 or 5.5in for
1/4plate as:
5in No961x, 968x. Brass finish with disc stop plate.
5.5in No11,88x.
A stereo pair at auction were 5in at Nos11,31x and 11,31x (sequential numbers).
Fig 017 009 Wray Platystigmat lenses f8/5in focus No9616 and 11,886.
This is a forgotten lens and sells at modest prices, especially as the condition is often poor.
About 1910-1914 at Peckham
By 1908, Wray were nearly inactive and were sold to Mr Albert Arthur Smith who had been a former manager
at Ross but wanted to leave the shadow of Mr Stewart and Mr Hasselkus. (Note that a Mr Smith of Wray had
been a expert on the iris above in 1889 (when Mr A.A. Smith might have been about 35) and may just have left
to join Ross and then returned.) Mr Smith got support from Mr Aitchison, later of Dollond and Aitchison
(retailers) to set up on his own, initially to make prismatic binoculars and probably with an assured sale
through his firm, then just Aitchison. This change in ownership may well have coincided with the end of RR
and Platystigmat production, and the introduction of new replacements. Initially prismatic binoculars were the
major item made at Hanover St, Peckham, and in WW1 these were a major contract. Mr Aitchison had
invented a Patent Prism Binocular in 1903 (12x model) and it is likely that he was seeking a reliable maker. It
used a caste alloy body, large object lenses and an iris diaphragm to control flare. Dollond merged with
Aitchison in 1927 and traded as Dollond and Aitchison.
An early catalogue from the 'new' address listed prismatic binoculars and some lenses and a Lustrar enlarging
lens, 9.5in f6.3 was introduced for the RFC early in WW1 in about 1915. (The B.J.A. advert. 1955, p559
suggests "1/2 Century" before 1954, ie 1904, for the first Lustrar.) The designer was now Mr A.A.Smith and he
was active after 1918 for many years, retiring in 1940 at 76 years age. (Thus his dates will be about 1864- ).
His son, Arthur William Smith trained at Woolwich Polytechnic and entered the optical deptartment there with
Reason and Kingslake, and qualified B.Sc. in technical optics from London in 1925. In 1928, the directors
were I.G.Aitchison, A.A.Smith and A.W.Smith, with Miss Violet Smith (Sister) as Company accounts and
Secretary. The foreman of the machine shop was Mr Percy Douglas, whose brother, Arthur was in charge of
turning. Hand threading was used till about 1915, when a German screw cutting lathe was added.
Portrait Lenses
Studio Lenses f4.5 10, 12in in a 1922 list. This was made to a newly computed formula of the
modified Petzval type with iris stops and softness control. Both cover cabinet size.
Wray Diffused Image Objective These were soft focus lenses. They were highlighted as D.I.O. and the
drawing in the 1928 advert. seems to show lens f4 No19,839 in black enamel. f4.0
6.0, 8.0, 12, 15in These were a doublet.
Soft Focus f2.5 This was for professional use only.
Soft Focus f5.0 7.5, 10, 12in These were single lenses only.
Micro Projection Lens This was a tiny Petzval lens, for projection of small originals and for really big
enlargements. It was actually a 2in lens. (B.J.A. 1928, p344) [These small Petzval lenses do turn up even
today, and can be a source of surprise: this is an example of the possible origin.]
Lustrar
There is a Brit. Patent to Mr A.A.Smith for a 4-glass anastigmat normally with all the glasses mounted
separately which may be the basis of the Lustrar. (Brit. Pat. 133,459 of 1919). The name seems already to
have been in use from about 1904 to 1914, judging from adverts.(but see below), and covered a range of
products. Initially it seems to have been made as f4.5, f6.3, f8.0, f11.
f4.5 In 1921, this was made as:
3in for 2.5x1.75in; 4in for 3.5x2.5in, 5in for 4.25x3.25in, 5.5in for 4.5x3.5in, 6in for 5x4in;
6.5in for Postcard 5.5x3.5in,8in for 6.5x4.75in,9in for 7x5in,12in for 8.5x6.5in The one seen was f4.5/3in
No23,088 and this just may be a Q15 type with a cemented rear pair. It can be very difficult to see the
separate reflexions of some where the rear glasses are close together and have rather similar curves.
f6.3 3.5-12in. These cover 80° and are dialyts. (Wra006) It was made in 3.5in for
3x2in, 4.0in for 3.5x2.5in, 4.5in for 3.5x2.5in5.0in for 4.25x3.25in , 5.5in for 4.5x3.5in, 6.0in for 5x4in, 6.5in for
5.5x3.5in, 7.0in for 6.5x4.75in, 8in for 7x5in, 9.5in for 8.5x6.5in, 12in for 10x8in. Not all these foci were
available from the all lists but were in the 1921,p728 B.J.A.: later they rather varied with the year. A pair of 5in
were used on a Goerz Stereo 18x9cm at 16,43x (2x). (Possible replacements?) It was the conventional
general purpose lens. A f6.3/4in example was seen at No24,720 in brass, with iris to f22. It is obviously
unsymmetrical, but shows 4 bright reflexions back and front. Others were met as f6.3/4in at No24,76x: f6.3/5in
at No22,08x. But an "Anastigmat" not marked Lustrar f6.3/4in at No124,68x proved to be a triplet, probably for
projection as there was no iris and a simple focussing mount eg such as a film reader might use.
f5.9 This was seen in a sunk mount at No16,70x. This seems to be a Dialyt, ie a
4glass uncemented design.
f5.0 3.5in This was for cinematography. It was probably a clone of the f4.5 as
could the f5.9 be.
f8.0 3.5, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 8, 10,12in These are also dialyts. This was 'for general
work'. Coverage was as the f6.3 above.
These Lustrars are not separable in the usual sense: it is a fairly unsymmetrical design, rather like an Q15
which has been decemented in some drawings, and this type continued in some types for a long time, until it
changed to the usual Q15 and this may have been in the Lustrar 11, when some do seem to be Q15 type.
They are not series numbered and can only be detected by the 4 bright reflexions behind the iris. Probably
during the interwar period both types were in production. A front accessory lens was offered for the Lustrar, the
rear 2 glasses then staying in position and being used separately with it. It was normal for a 6in lens to be
suggested for 5x4in. The f5.9 version does seem to be very unsymmetrical. It is quite common to find small
Lustrar lenses in brass mounts from this period and these may have been sold as enlarging lenses. These are
often f4.5 and f6.3 lenses in 1.125in screw flanges at Nos about 24,000. So far the earliest noted was a
f6.3/5in at No16,46x (2x) on a Goerz Stereo. At this time most Wray lenses were of modest size and they do
not seem to have sold the big 'monsters' that other firms were listing and selling. Incidentally Dr Kingslake
dates the Lustrar from 1918. This just may be the beginning of sales, or of civilian sales or of some version of
it. The above list suggests an earlier date but this can be misleading in that it was the makers plan but this
may not have been realized. An apparent disagreement is often of this type.
Lustrar Process f10 and 11 12, 15, 18in This was a dialyt, use 12in for 10x8in.
Lustrar- see also below! It is hard to date these lenses and some will be from the inter-war years.
Fig 017 012 Wray Lustrar lenses f6.3 brass finish (front) 4in Nos 24,720, 24,767 and (rear right) 124,680 in
black sunk mount, and (rear left, in brass) 5in No22,086.
Fig 017 014 Wray Lustrars f4.5/3in No23,088 and f5.9/6in No16,708 in sunk mount .
Fig 017 015 Wray lenses Lustrar f3.2/6.25in No21,475 and ApoProcess f10/4in No94561.
Separable Anastigmats
Wray sold one or possibly two series of separable double anastigmats. They are scarce items now, made at
the end of the time when they were normal products and have not been seen, and do offer some problems
today. Thus one seems to be a 3 + 3 at f6.8 and the other a 4 + 4 type at f5.6. This seems rather complex for
the market and an attempt will be made to list what is known.
Universal Anastigmat f6.8 This was listed as 3.5in for 3x2in, 5.0in for 4.25x3.25in, 6.0in for 5x4in, 7.0in
for 6.5x4.75in, 9.0in for 8.5x6.5in, 12in for 10x8in and f7.7/14in for 12x10in. It covers 70° at f6.8, 90° at f16.
Some lists also have the next item but it was not in a 1910-1914 list. It seems to be a Q9 Dagor type lens
with cemented triple combinations.
f7.7 14in. This covers 90°, and 10in was suggested for 10x8in. 6in for 5x4.
This was a symmetrical anastigmat, Wra007 of 3+3 layout. It was noted in 1924. It may be the same as the
f6.8 but in the larger sizes.
The next item seems to be a separate series.
Casket Anastigmat f5.6/f6.3/f8 The maximum aperture does vary but f5.6 seems uncertain.
(a) Pairs It was made only in 4.25, 5.25, 6.75, 8in and 10in (1921). This was a 4+4 symmetrical anastigmat
rather like a double Protar in layout. (It is possible that the equal pairs were f5.6.)
(
It was made and sold as single cells of 7.5in for 6.5x4.75in, 9.5in for 7.5x5in, 11.75in for 8.5x6.5in, 14in
for 10x8in, 18in for 12x10in, which was more limited than some makes.
Unlike pairs tend to be rather slower than f6.3- say f7-f8 only. There is a question here? This data is for a
casket anastigmat in 1921. But note there is certainly a (different?) casket anastigmat f5.6 below and the
1921 seems to be a f5.6 in some conditions, so the two may not be as distinct as might be thought. [One
solution may be that the normal lens was a pair of unequal focus working at f6.3 and that if it was equal focus,
it was f5.6, and that the single cells were at f11.3 or f12.5 depending on the size of the mount.]
Another advert. in B.J.A. 1924, 589; 1925, p599 gives it as made in:
5.375in pair at f6.3 2x9.5in cells to cover 1/4plate
6.75in pair at f6.3 2x11.75in to cover 8.5x6.5in (1/1plate)
A footnote says it was also made in other foci, and in single cells at f12.5: and in singles at f11.3 and as
doublets at f5.6- where the last comment seems rather obscure now but suggests a completely different set
was being made! It would be surprising if Wray had had to make two types of symmetrical anastigmat at this
time but the advantage could be that the 4+4 was better when used as single cells. (Wra004) .
Single cells (of the f6.3) were f12.5 and were made in 7.5, 9.5, 11.75, 14in. It is a scarce lens and probably
was too late for its market.
Casket Lens f5.6 version, f11.3 for the cells alone. This was noted or sold only in 1926, and a 3-
component set was available as required, eg. for 5x4 use 5.25pair or 9.5in single cell, or a casket of 7.5, 9.5,
and 12.75in cells. It seems to have sold only as a 'casket' and must be a scarce item.(Wra004). Is it really
different from the above?
Portrait Lens f3.4 7.5 for CDV, 10 for Cabinet, 12in for Cabinet sizes.This was a Petzval type
design. It had an iris and soft focus control.
Wide Angle Anastigmat f16 This was made in 4.0in for 5x4in, 5.0in for 6.5x4.75in, 6in for 7.5x5in, 7in
for 8.5x6.5in by 1926. It was still listed in the 1930s. It had a 2+2 (roughly Protar type) design.(B.J.A. 1921,
p721).
Telenegative Lens -1.5, -2.0, -3.0in
Cine projection lenses f2.0 2.0, 3.0in These were probably a Petzval type.
Lustrar Short Focus f5.0 3.5in This was noted in a 1926 list.
Turtle Variable Focus. f10, or less to f16. It was for 14, 15.5, 17, 20, 22in with extensions of 7in to 13in.
This was a telephoto associated (see above) with Capt Owen Wheeler (B.J.A. 1914; 1924, p589). It is worth
comparing the Wray specification with the one in the original design.
Diffused Image f4.0 6.0, 8.0in This was only made in 2 sizes now, in 1928, 1929, 1933. It seems
to be a survivor from earlier lists.
Lustrar Group.
In the interwar years, the Lustrar was made in many different speeds. Some are as follows.
Lustrar
f2.5 1in, 1.5in, 2.0in This will be a cine size, listed in the B.J.A. 1933.
f2.8 3.0, 5.25, 8.0in This was listed in the 1930s, eg in the B.J.A. 1929, p554 as
3, 5, 6.5, 8in focus and continued at least to the 1936 B.J.A. as 3 and 5.5in only. (Wra 005; cf Wra014 which
is a postwar version) It was designed for reflex, press and all fast work. It was not noted in the 1927 advert.
and may be a 1928 product.
f3.0 1.625, 3.0, 5.0, 6.5, 8.0in. (B.J.A. 1926, p327, 588advert.) Here it was with 4
separate glasses. In B.J.A. 1926, p327 it as said to have the usual 4 separate glasses, and cover 1x0.375in in
1.375in focus, and had been made already in quantity for aircraft instrument recording. Other sizes were
already in use then, including bigger ones for studio use and reflex cameras in all sizes up to 5x4in. They
were then classed as 'ultra rapid', and said to give brilliant and well defined images. (Ibid, 1927, p300).
f3.2 6.25in There was a 'new' f3.2 Lustrar for reflex cameras in two sizes in
(B.J.A. 1928, p552), for 3.5x2.5in and for 1/4plate. It was just 2x the speed of a f4.5.
f3.5 20, 25mm This was for cine
f4.5 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 8.0, 12in This was less wide field than the f6.3
below. It added some extra foci in the 1930s, and finally extended to 15in. It was also a 4-glass airspaced
design.
f5.9 eg 5in. This seems to be a less known (or less advertised) type, possibly as
it was sold in batches to camera makers but this is conjecture. Two have been noted and are in black mount
and one has forward protruding pins as if on a reflex or other sunk mount front camera. It was noted at
No17,50x which is a 1+1+i+1+1 design.
f6.3 9.5in This was for enlarging for the RFC, later 4in, then 5.0, 6.0in in the
1930s eg in the 1936 B.J.A. These were for general sale. There may also be a f6.3 with a 3- glass design.
Actually it was the Wray f4.5 which seems to occur most years on the Sichel Sickle enlargers, for 1/2plate
and even up to 12x10in sizes. (B.J.A. 1926, p59, etc.)
f8.0 This was for camera work, and was listed by Kodaks, Soho, N&G cameras.
A 10in f8 has been seen but did not carry the Lustrar name. (It seeemed to be a triplet.)
Fig 017 012 Wray Lustrar lenses f6.3 brass finish (front) 4in Nos 24,720, 24,767 and (rear right) 124,680 in
black sunk mount, and (rear left, in brass) 5in No22,086. (ab0ve)
Fig 017 014 Wray Lustrars f4.5/3in No23,088 and f5.9/6in No16,708 in sunk mount .(above)
Fig 017 015 Wray lenses Lustrar f3.2/6.25in No21,475 and ApoProcess f10/4in No94561. (above)
Process Lustrar f10 12in for 10x8in; 13in, 15in for 12x10in, 18in for 15x12in, 21in for 16x16in,
25in for 18x16in + prisms were listed in 1936. This was used on Hunter Penrose process cameras for many
years. It was a dialyt type. But it may have been an older product as f10 process lenses were available at
least by 1927 (B.J.A. 1927, p580).
f16 18in in 1933.
ApoProcess Lustrar f10? 15, 18, 25in These were listed in 1936, and were about 7.00 more than the
price of the plain version: 20.00 as against 13.00 for the plain type. This explains why both continued to sell
as many process workers were using color blind black+white film only, where Apo correction was less
needed. (see Fig 017 015 above). One was prized for professional use into the 1990's for use as a very sharp
but low contrast lens for copying transparencies with excess contrast. .
Studio Lens f4.5 This was noted in 10 and 12in. This may be a Petzval as a Petzval of this
aperture has been reported. It was available in the 1930's.
Plustrar Telephoto lenses
Plustrar Tele f6.3 9.0in for 3.5x2.5, 11in for 4.25x3.25in, 12.5in for 5x4in or 2.0-18in. (The
design may have changed over the years as a 9in was used for 5x4in postwar.) This trade name was used on
two series. It seems to have been 'new' in B.J.A. 1925, p598, where it was listed as above. It was said to offer
the advantages of the expensive teles on the market with a moderate price. [Thus a 9in Teleros was 9.5 while
a 9in Plustrar was 7.75.] Today, they are still very well spoken of as sharp and contrasty.
The f6.3 was in the B.J.A. 1928, p553advert., in 9,11,12.5in, with 2x magnifications over the standard lens at
the same extension. It was finished in black.
Plustrar Tele f4.5 6in, 9in, 12in in 1933.This was noted as Wra008 but the date is uncertain. It
just might be a misprint. It certainly is there a little later, but was not in eg. a 1926 list, which had an f5.0 2x
scale Cine Plustrar version. One list has 2-15in but it certainly is a scarce lens from experience in buying.
Cine Lenses
Cine Lustrar f1.5 25, 50mm This was for cine. Listed by 1936.
Lustrar f2.5 18-50mm This was also for cine. It was in 1, 1.5, 2in in 1936.
Prism Binoculars were still in production, a continuation of the WW1 type.
Telephoto lens for Pathe Baby Cine as f5.0 45mm eg Special Plustrar. This was noted in B.J.A. 1926, p334.
Telephoto Lens f4.5 2in (51mm) This was in a standard mount for 8mm inc. Miller and Dekko
cameras. (B.J.A. 1936, p322)
Telephoto Lenses f4.5 These were made in 3, 4, 6in in 1936, and were probably for 16mm in
contrast to the next item for 8mm.
Cine Plustrar Tele f4.3 This was in 2in only in 1936, and was a slower option to the f3.5 lens below
for Miller, Dekko and Ensign.
Cine Plustrar f3.5 2-4in This was for cine. The 3, 4in sizes were noted in 1936. The f3.5/2in was
noted in B.J.A. 1937, p289 for 16 and 9.5mm use, and was in a focusing mount.
Some 1930's Items.
None of these have been seen and they may be scarce.
Apo Process Lens This was made in f10, 15, 18, 25in and f16, 30, 36in. It was a dialyt design.
Cine Lustrar f2.5 1.0, 1.5, 2.0in.
Cine Lustrar f1.5 20mm, 1.0, 2.0in One of these was used in an assembly postwar for a
microscope (see B.J.A. 1949, p182.) They were used as f1.5/20mm on Pathe Moto-cameras as noted in
B.J.A. 1934, p324.
Cine Lustrar f4.5 2.0in (B.J.A. 1936) Another source gives this spec as a Plustrar.(B.J.A.
1936, p511.)
Cine Plustrar f3.5 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0in (B.J.A.1934, p324; 1937, p289 for 2in) A Plustrar noted at
f6.3/6in No24,71x may be one of these.
Supar Enlarging f3.5, 2, 3, 5in These were noted in the 1934 and 1936 B.J.A. Wray made a series
of Cinelargers at the same time for up to 2.5x1.625in, and the smaller of these will have been fitted to them.
Supar Enlarging f4.5 These were both made in 51-127mm.
Farvu
This trade name was used on both a lens and a matching camera. (B.J.A. 1931, 310, 520advert.). 18 in
1931.
Farvu Telephoto f10 f10 20in (500mm) This was a very long slim lens in a D/S Compur shutter, with
focusing by varying the separation of the cells on a helical in front of the shutter. It is an uncommon item
probably from the 1920's for the special all-metal Farvu camera for 2.25x3.25in (6x9cm) "specially designed
for distance work". One suggestion was a MoD item (see below) but it seems too slow for many purposes: it
was possibly made for travellers, as in the Himalyas where records of distant peaks were wanted and weight
was at a premium, and for sports use, where it would seem rather slow. (B.J.A. 1933, 507 advert.,1936, p511).
There is a quick change mount with an interrupted thread on the dial-set Compur to allow the lens to be
removed and stored in the metal body of the camera on another similar flange. It is scarce and said to be a
"good" performer if slow. The original cost was modest at 18.75. It was seen at No21,97x and focussed on a
nicely made helix to 25ft. [Compare with the Zeiss Magnar camera.]
Fig 017 034 Wray 'Farvu' f10/20in lens No21,978 Pattern 8348 (on cap).
Fig 017 035 Wray Farvu (dismantled) as above.
The Pattern number on the cap suggests it was used by the MoD initially.
Collector experience shows rather few lenses of this period in the 1930's- there was a recession and sales
were probably difficult. Examples seen were a process Lustrar at No94,56x, an anastigmat f6.3 at No124,68x,
and a Lustrar f3.2 6.25in in a sunk mount for large SLR at No21,47x - these are all in black finish with white
trim in contrast to the older style brass lenses before them.
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Late Prewar in 1939
The B.J.A. Advert. in 1939, p508-9 had the following items but stressed this was only a selection of what was
available. It may be of special interest as showing which sizes were the best sellers at the time. The 1938
advert was much the same.
Lustrar Series
f2.8, 3in and 5.25in
f4.5, 5in and 6in
f6.3, 5in and 6in.
Supar
This was a new series of 3 component lens, ie Triplet? economical but of the highest quality and fully
corrected and giving brilliant definition. Note that these seem to be on sale not purely as enlarging lenses but
are illustrated in sunk iris mount. for cameras.
f4.5 as 2in for 24x36mm approx., 3in for 2x1.75in; 5in for 2.5x3.5in
f3.5 as 2in for 24x36mm approx., 3in for 2x1.75in; 5in for 2.5x3.5in.
Process Lustrar and ApoProcess Lustrar
These were in 15in, 18in, 25in.
Cine Lenses
These were probably all for 16mm.
Lustrar f2.5 20mm; 25mm= 1in; 38mm = 1.5in; 51mm= 2in
Plustrar f3.5 2in; 3in; 4in.
Plustrar f4.5 2in; 3in; 4in; 6in.
Anastigmat f1.5 1in; 2in.
In 1938 there were also 2in Plustrar Teles in black finish in f4.3 and f3.5.
Binoculars, eg 10x35 FARVU in various sizes and prices.
Optical systems for sound These were a regular product in 16 and 35mm normally fitted with Cambridge
Oscillographs.
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In WW2
As before, Wray made numbers of :
binoculars, the whole RAF contract being theirs 1939-1942 and also:
Reflector gunsights, for which they shared the contract with Barr and Stroud of Glasgow.
Gun aligning Telescopic Sights
Film Reader Lens
Big Bertha f6.3 36in Telephoto lenses for the Williamson cameras,
Big Bertha f4.0 36in Lenses These seem to be a Gauss type, often with no iris and often with the shutter
built-in. Uncoated, at least at first, these are now hard to find. They are said not to be too sharp but better if
used at f5.6 or f6.3. One account says many of them were made in the 1950's and were coated but those
seen were older. They are obviously BIG and the example seen was being carried as the "front cell only" to
avoid undue strain on the owner. One sale was as late as 04/1973 at 35-40 depending if a F89 camera with
single speed was attached.
Wide Angle Lustrar There is an early postwar patent for what seems to be a wartime design.(B.J.A. 1946,
p189) The lens covered 72° and may have appeared later in simplified form as the Wray Wide Angle
anastigmat 89mm. (The B.J.A. 1945 p189 says it was redesigned to suit the RAF in the war.)
During the war, they developed the B.K.Universal plotter in cooperation with B.K.Johnson of Imperial College
(Prov Pat. 6428/43, B.J.A. 1945) which was a plastic square to allow a quick plot of a light beam through a
lens. It cost 1.87. Mr Johnson also cooperated in other designs.
Thus there was a B.K. Microfilm camera and reader designed by Mr Johnson and Mr E. Lancaster-Jones
(Science Library) advertised on B.J.A. reader: B.J.A. 1942, p168, p321advert.; 1943, p169; 1945, p327. The
reader used a Wray f3.5/0.9in projection lens, in the 1942 notice. [It is possible that this was the unit for
which tiny lenses by Dallmeyer and TTH are noted elsewhere.]They seem to have offered a Supar Triple
Anastigmat for 52° in f3.5 and f4.5, an example being a f4.5/4.25in lens. These probably are the enlarging
lenses below but may have been used for other purposes in the war.
There was considerable activity in transferring records to film in case of loss of the originals due to air raids.
Thus the Chatham and District Permanent Building Society (not very far away from Bromley) had copies made
of all its deeds and records and sent away to the Country for safe keeping. This was wise as Chatham was an
obvious target, and in fact incendiary bombs fell in the area and at least one hit the Building Societies main
office. (P.E.Firth, "A Safe Haven", Kent Reliance Building Society, 1998, p55). This would apply to many
other societies, banks, legal offices and the like.
After WW2.
Early after the War they made a wide range of lenses for MoD and civilian sales and it must have been a really
busy place to work. One account said that the firm was continuously profitable over this period even though
business could be difficult at times. These are mainly items seen in collections or listed in magazines of the
period. Designers names included Mr Michael Nunn and Mr David Day. Another major factor in the success
was the presence of Mr C.G.Wynne in the design field, as many of the layouts were really new and very
interesting. Mr Wynne was to transfer in 1959 to Imperial College London as Professor of Optical Design in the
Chair initiated for Prof Conrady many years before and was later succeeded there by Prof M.Kidger. His
department made early use of computers and explored in particular the Gauss design, showing many other
solutions were possible, some with rather small back focus. They also studied the process of optimizing a
lens design on computer- a major study for which he will be remembered. (Prof. Wynne died in Oct 1999
(Obituary, The Times, B.J.P. 17/11/1999 p6). He was born in 18/05/1911 and was educated at Wyggeston
School (Leicester) and Exeter College Oxford working for TTH up to 1943 and then joining Wray to work on
aerial reconnaissance lenses and later Wrayflex and fast recording lenses and was appointed as a technical
director of the company. Later he moved to Imperial College and worked on Astronomical designs including
work on the Mt Palomar telescope, and was a co-founder of IC Optical Systems.
A large advert. in the B.J.A. 1947, p334 shows lenses with Serial Nos from 33,020 up to No38,586 on a
portrait anastigmat, and includes Process Lustrar, Copying Supars, and Lustrars. An innovative product was
the Wrayflex with eyelevel mirror type viewing. (MCM June 1950, July 1951 p420) and later with a "high hat"
pentaprism. They also made a viewfinder Viooh copy available by March 1948 (B.J.A. 1949, p226, MCM
03/1948 p161) and ultimately a second version with the opaque masks replaced with red transparent masks
were made so that the area outside the field of the lens was also visible. (B.J.A. 1957, p235). In fact, quite a
part of the business was non-photo-optical as in 1949 they offered a "Pygmy" enlarger and a Wray-Shayler
electronic timer as well as binoculars. This makes it slightly strange that they did not normally offer M39
mounted lenses on the general market. (But note the 35mm Lustrar.) Illustrations of lens coating in the
"Blooming" plant at Bromley (ie Wray) are shown in H.White's article in the MCM July 1947, where a bell jar
some 15in dia and a substantial rack for the elements is shown in use by a young female employee. Thus
they were using vacuum coating quite early postwar if not before.
Professor Wynne (1911- Oct. 1999) was born in Leicester, and worked at TTH under Warmisham from 1935
until after WW2, designing lenses for aerial cameras. After the War, he was given a temporary commission
and carried out a survey of the German optical Industry, and transferred to Wray as chief designer. This was
a fertile period, with designs for the f0.71 and Unilites and a general update of designs for Lustrars, enlarging
lenses and especially the process lenses all coming from his department if not directly from him. He moved
to Imperial College about 1959, and developed procedures for using computers not just in lens design but
also in optimizing the results. His paper in 1961 on Gauss systems with Prof M. Kidger has become a classic
here. Later he worked independantly on designs often for astronomy and helped with an imaginative new
movie system.
Copying f1.9 100mm This has been seen and is illustrated at No35,202 in the 1947 B.J.A.
advert., but the design is not known. It was coated and probably for CRT recording, especially as the advert.
says CRT lenses up to f1. The B.J.A. 1946 p189 says these were in existence during the war, as a 10cm f1.8
and f1.0/2in. Thus perhaps these really should be in the section above. The design of the f1.0 includes
features of the 5-glass Gauss and this raises questions over the time when Wray began to use this type.
Copying f1.0 2in (51mm) This was a Gauss design with heavy element glass designed for
oscillograph recording at 4:1 ratio. The colour correction is therefore optimized in the blue/green region
associated with period cathode ray fluors. It is essentially a Unilite with two glasses behind the iris, but extra
glasses at the front. Thus it does suggest Wray were using the feature then. (See Brit Pat 604,883, USPat
2,487,750) An example at No120,075 is shown in B.J.A. 1954 p559 advert. and this just may be the launch,
but actually may be considerably later. It was used on Shackman and other CRT recording cameras, for RAE
(Farnborough) and Edgerton et al. Boston, USA. One camera was essentially a stripped out Ilford Advocate
body. This explains the variety of mounts- focusing and rigid. Noted at No 185,97x; 186,252, 196,81x;
228,58x; 242,64x, 242,66x;
Fig 017 027 Wray (front) Cathode ray recording f1.0/2in Nos 196,818 and 185,973. and Copying f1.8/10cm
No33,513(rear).
Copying f4.0 2in This was a slower lens with iris but no shutter perhaps for microfile use.
Cine Radiography f0.71 50, 64mm (B.J.A. 1962, p484) This was a 7-glass Petzval derivative and
covers 22°. (Wra017). It was used in the mass X-ray surveys for TB of the period. (USPat 2,487,750, Brit Pat.
575,076, 17,752/1950) Prof Wynne described the design in Jnl. Sci. Instr. 1951, 28, 172-3. and Reports on
Progress in Physics 19, 298, 1956. "It was fairly easy to design a system of lenses in contact, well corrected
for spherical aberration and coma and giving an angle of convergence in the medium of the last one
corresponding to (for example) f0.7." The design was said to resolve 80lines/mm on axis, over 40 lines/mm
over a 16mm frame and about 28 lines/mm over a 24mm diameter, with low distortion of 1.5% over a 18°
angle, and is a very unusual one at first sight. They are said to be fairly common but have not been seen,
perhaps because the equipment is still in store or was dismantled long ago. There is a picture of one in B.J.A.
1955, p591 Advert. "The most oustanding lens of the Century". It is a substantial black mounted lens with a
wide iris control ring in white, apparently to f20 and No84,360 though it just might be 64,360. A note in the
1951 B.J.A. p203 mentions the use of new rare earth glasses of high index and low dispersion, then in a
64mm lens.
Cine Radiography f1.4 100mm This seems to be related to the f0.71 in design by using the second
part of the system.
X-ray imaging with an image intensifier was obtained using both an f1.4 and an f0.71 set so that the f1.4
imaged the patient with a parallel beam of light to the f0.71 via a reflex mirror, and thence to a Videcon screen,
and the mirror allowed an Arriflex or other movie camera to sustitute for the visual examination of the image.
(B.J.A. 1962, p434-36). This must have been complex but then a very innovative principle.
Anamorphic Lens This was a prism type unit for 2:1 to 1.3:1 (B.J.A. 1956, p248). It is said that the
design was eventually passed on to Kershaw for production when Wray were a member of the Rank
Organization.
Under-sea TV lens This was designed for the British Admiralty. Iit was a cone shaped item, and may well be
a retrofocus design. It will have been used mainly to examine ships underneath and to search the sea bed, eg
for wrecks? (B.J.A. 1955).
Lustrar
This was still the standard product for many uses and was now coated, early ones being rather soft coated,
but quickly improving as the process was developed. Care is needed in dismantling as the internal coats were
left soft after the external were made quite hard. They are certainly still a mixture of 4-glass designs, with an
increasing use of Q15 layouts except in the f2.8 types. But typically the customer got a Q15 type from
purchase experience now.
Lustrar (Early Postwar)f4.5 This was made in 75, 90, 108, 127, 152, 184, 210, 308, 380mm. (5.375 -
15in in 1954 in iris barrel mounts or shutters.). The I27mm lens or longer covered 5x4in. It covered 70° (Layout
Wra005, Wra006). A provisional patent was No 11,020/1944 and there was a patent due to Wynne for a Q15
type with air- spacing at No577,763/1944 which may indicate the 'new' type. A advert. in B.J.A. 1946 p335
says it covers 70°.
By 1953, they were in Compur and Compound shutters, and classed as of the highest standard. The B.J.A.
1953 p195 mentioned: 184mm f4.5 in Compur II shutter with iris to f32 for 5x4in; and 210mm (8.25in) in a
Compound shutter, which also was with stops to f32, and for use with 5x7in. (Unlike the Series II process,
there is no new design here. The 210mm is illustrated in B.J.A. 1953, p575 advert. and is considerable less
common than the 184mm which was used by the MoD.)
It may be that the MPP MicroTechnical series cameras was intended to use them. The first MPP camera was
shown in B.J.A. 1949, p178 and carried a f4.5/7.25in Lustrar in barrel, and the 89mm Wide angle may also
have been intended for it.
-
Fig 017 029 Wray f4.5/184mm Lustrar No147,333 for 5x4in esp. MPP S92 camera.
Lustrar f4.5 This was made in 5.625, 6.0, 7.25, 8.25, 10, 12, 15in and was certainly a
redesigned Q15 type. One well known example was the 184mm below.
Lustrar Series 11 f4.5 184mm This was sold on the MPP S92 camera in Compur shutters about
1956 and was a Q15 or Wra014 type. The serial no 143,xxx is typical of what was a fairly close batch of
numbers for a special contract. Some 300-500 sets seems a possible number. Also N0147,33x. A small later
group was made at No240,74x for the same type of use, with red paint fill for the focus and aperture engraving
and they have been reported at up to 347,13x as barrel mounted lenses with no iris. Here the original use was
obscure. These were a well liked lens when new and allowed some movements on 5x4 though not as much as
might now be expected. (see Fig 017 029 above).
Thus it seems a postwar f4.5 Lustrar will normally be a Q15 type lens.
Fig 017 024 Wray Lustrars (coated) f4.5/254mm (10in) No176,324 and 6in No241170.
Lustrar f4.8 135mm This was a f4.5 Lustrar fitted in a Epsilon or other shutter which
limited the aperture of a 135mm lens to some f4.8 (B.J.A. 1951, p45, where it is 'redesignated' from a f4.5.)
The smaller shutter had an aperture of some 14.8mm but was much more economically priced and smaller to
fit.(see B.J.A. 1950/1951 in Epsilon) to some 5x4 cameras such as the MPP MicroPress for which it was an
intended fitment. An example was noted at No153,373, and may be ex-MoD Peckham-Wray although it was
noted fitted to an MPP MkVI of about 1952-1956. Another user was the Eves Colour camera. (B.J.A. 1952,
p215) It was also the normal lens on the scarce Peckham Wray camera, designed by Cyril Peckham of
Hawker-Siddeley Aircraft) along with a Plustrar f6.3/9in Tele at No 16487x (Brit. Jnl. Photo 13/03/1970, p269:
Photography 1955) but note that in the note in B.J.A. 1956, p233 it was an f4.5/135mm Lustrar in 8-speed
Epsilon and the f4.8 may be a later version. These Peckham-Wray cameras were sold off from the MoD eg on
24/10/1955. On the MPP MicroPress, it was noted at No115,40x. (see also below)
Wray-Pullin f4.5 135mm This was a short lenshead for bellows use, fitted to a Novoflex
bellows. It was probably commissioned when Pullin were Novoflex importers and needed lensheads to sell
with them, possibly before import restrictions were eased. (This is likely to be a Lustrar renamed?) [It may
have replaced the Pultan listed under Pullin which is thought to be made by Pullin.] It was noted at auction at
No146,27x.
Lustrar f2.8 It was listed in 50, 75, 100, 132, 165mm where 165mm was for 1/4plate. These
do have a 4g/4c layout as Wra015 but seem to be an unknown series except for the standard f2.8 Unilux lens
on the Wrayflex SLR camera. The other sizes may have been a marketing exercise and failed to find a buyer.
It was forcaste in the advert. in B.J.A. 1946, p335 but without details.
Unilux f2.8 50mm for Wrayflex, this was probably a Lustrar It was noted at Nos
20114x and 169,45x (on Body 239x) but is less common than the f2 Unilite on Wrayflexes. Lustrar
f3.5 35mm for Advocate, Wrayflex, RoBoT, q.v.
Lustrar f3.5 35mm A Advocate example was noted at No92,293 on a derelict Advocatethe
Advocate shutter is reliable but difficult to repair economically. It was noted that the lens was in a neat
focusing mount on a small flat metal disc and could be easily adapted to M39x26 by making a suitable tube,
but this never seems to have been done in the old days. One problem may have been that the focus mount
was made by the Advocate makers, K.I., and not available to Wray [or Dallmeyer] to make a cheap uncoupled
M39 lens. [This was a market in which Dallmeyer sold lenses but Wray do not seem to have been active in.]
Fig 011 038 Wray Wide angle Lustrar f3.5/35mm (l) No239,913 Pattern 162170, ® Wrayflex version
No123,987 in replica tube.
Lustrar f4.0 90mm This was the normal long lens on Wrayflex.
Lustrar f4.0 135mm This was the long lens for Wrayflex and is less common than the
90mm in collecting experience
High Resolution Lustrar
These were intended to be a Q15 lens of very high sharpness due to the use of a limited maximum aperture.
They seem to have been offered in 3 series but without the Series always being marked on the product, as
follows:
Series 1 This has not been seen but may be an f8.0 lens, but without coating.
Series 11 f8.0 max. These were sold up to about 1959. The launch seems to be in B.J.A. 1951, p215
as an 200mm lens at 27.00, and they were a really sharp lens with high colour correction: but Series 11 is
not mentioned there, and in B.J.A.1954, p212 the series II is 'recomputed', and has a particularly high stability
with change in conjugates, ie it works well over a wide range of magnifications from camera work to enlarging,
the example noted being a 8in lens for 1/2plate. There is no criticism of the sharpness of the original, rather
the suggestion is that it was maintained and extended over a wider range. They seem to be externally hard
coated and a 8in lens has been seen at No 197,95x, with '8inH.R.' filled in red paint.They are Q15 or as in
Layout 010. Typically these have been heavily used and are often not in good order now. In use, they seem
dark to focus.
Fig 017 017 Wray High Resolution Lustrars Ser II f8/8in No197,957; f5.6/6in No346,366; and f5.6/10in
No274,214.
Series 111 f5.6/f8.0 These were made in 3.25, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 12in at least, and replaced the f8 series.
This type was suitable for a wide range of magnifications, and it was suggested to use 7.0in for 5x4in at
infinity. (B.J.A. 1959, p264), 8in (by 1960), 10in (B.J.A. 1960, 256) and the 12in was noted later in B.J.A.
1963, p149. The increased aperture makes for easier focusing and composing, but the best quality of the lens
is still at smaller apertures, and f8.0 or less is to be used for exposure. Careful colour correction was a good
feature. This was then a very high quality lens if used properly, especially in the studio, though some users
said the contrast was not up to the best international standards. It was good value and an excellent performer,
especially at the price eg. 42.50 in 1960 for the 10in f5.6, and evidently sold well. Today, it can also be used
for copying and as an enlarger lens. They have been noted as 6in lenses in barrel mounts at No346,37x
(twice!), 7in at No335,27x; 354,70x, and 10in at No274,21x: and a later one is in a Compur at No296,36x, with
red fill to the '8in H.R'. which is absent at No347,73x and on the 6in lenses. It was also noted at Nos 356,16x,
354,70x, 354,69x. They can still be a useful purchase for use on large format cameras if in good order. Sadly
the coating internally seems to be fairly soft and is easily marked in cleaning. They are not marked Series 111
although they could really qualify as this. One was noted on an ex-Police Berthillon Gandolfi camera No3/70,
as a H.R.Lustrar f5.6/7in No335,27x: and at 323,67x and 337,76x on other Gandolfi cameras. (see figure
above).
Process Lenses.
These sold world wide, both in the UK through Hunter-Penrose, and later on through Pictorial Machinery, and
in the USA through Robertson's Photomechanix and New Arc of Chicago. They were also used on some
copying machines such as those by Grant and Halco. Some sales were to the RAF in 6.0, 12, 18, 24, 36,
48in. These included designs where Wynne had been involved. At least 3 types seem to have been made in
this period.
Process Lustrar f10-f16 This was made in 13, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30, 36, 42, 48in and was a dialyt of
Wra011 layout. These are very sharp but often now of lower contrast, partly due to abrasions of the coatings.
These are not actually marked Series 1 but this is implied. There is a 21in f10 in the picture in the 1947 B.J.A.
advert. at No37,228.
Apo Process Lustrar f10 etc. These were made in 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30, 36, 42, 48in with prisms and
magnifiers. These are better colour corrected but the early type tried was still fairly low on contrast (B.J.A.
1948, p181) There was a new 4in f10 Process Lustrar in the B.J.A. 1948, p181, and this may be a late
addition to the 'old' series as there is no indication of Series II. It was specially computed for making
separation negatives from colour transparencies of sizes up to 36x24mm and was very highly corrected and
gave extremely high resolution.
Apo Process Lustrar Series 11 f10 This type was seen in 4.0in, 12in, 18in and 25in. These are still a dialyt
type but offer a higher performance and the coating is harder, and are much to be preferred for use. The dialyt
can be used from infinity to close up where it was intended to be used. They are seldom in shutters, but are
marked Series 11. The 12in has been seen several times. The B.J.A. 1953 p212 noted a 25in example as
entirely freshly computed and 'superlatively good' and well up to the 18 and 36in examples of the series. It was
really good even for 3 color work at f16- much wider open than usually used in this work. On a 15x12in plate,
the biggest colour error was in green, about 0.001in over a 15in dimension. There was no appreciable field
curvature and no curvilinear distortion was noted. [It is suggested that this was one of the lenses C.G.Wynne
redesigned].
"54°" Process Lens" f10. This was seen at No305,84x as a 16in f10 with a deeper front curved surface and
is really well oversize compared to a 18in Series 11. It is thought to be a Gauss design for use where the
copier was limited for bench length and needed to handle a large original such as 18x22in on a set up
designed for 12x15in normal max. size. It is must have been costly and is massive. So it is "Series 111" but
not called that.
Fig 027 030 Wray 54° wide angle process lens f10/16in.
Process f4.0 3in for graticule making.
Special Copying Lens: Two types of these seem to occur as eg. f4.0 at 3in and f8.0 at 19in.
Other
Lustrar f3.5 35mm This was a Q15 type design for the Wrayflex eg at No239,91x, as
elsewhere, and a few were sold also on late versions of the Ilford Advocate, an example being seen at No
9987x. They were also sold adapted to M39x26 for the Reid camera on a special contract to the MoD at about
serial number 123,99x (B.J.A. 1953, p211). This used a small extension tube engraved No162,170 or the like.
Some have also been reported at Nos 330,51x and 330,71x so there may be two or more batches, and one
was on a RoBoT Star which could well be another adapted version. These are now scarce as after sale at
auction most of the extension tubes (about 13mm long to convert Wrayflex fit to M39x26) were scrapped and
the lenses sold off as being for the Wrayflex and more saleable this way. (see also Wrayflex section).
Fig 011 038 Wray Wide angle Lustrar f3.5/35mm (l) No239,913 Pattern 162170, ® Wrayflex version
No123,987 in replica tube.
Architron f3.5 35mm for Paxette 35mm These have M39x26 thread but the Paxette register
is much deeper and an extension tube is needed to fit to normal M39x26 R/F cameras. This is probably
another scarce version of the Wrayflex lens in disguise. It is also one of the very few cases where a UK maker
made lenses for an newly introduced imported 35mm camera other than M39x26
types. (It should be possible to date these from press adverts. in the Am. Photo. but copies are not available
to do this: probably about 1953? It was noted at No120,13x.)
(Lustrar?) f4.0 9cm This was listed for Paxette by Nebro in the Am.Photo. 24/06/1953
with a forcaste of the f3.5/35mm in the same advert. This will also be a Wrayflex lens and may suggest Nebro
considered a set of Wray lenses and then imported German ones, perhaps due to a change in the import
regulations.
Underwater A version of a Wray f3.5/35mm No300,31x was marked "corrected for underwater use' and used
on a RoBoT Vollautomat Star. It is not known if this involved more than readjusting the register.
Portrait Anastigmat f3.5 This was made postwar in 215mm (8.5in) for 6.5x4.75in; 308mm (12in) for
8.5x6.5in; 355mm (14in) for 10x8in, and is a scarce large format lens. They were coated and contrast should
be high. It was a quite expensive lens at 32 for 1/2plate; 51 for 1/1plate and 66 for 10x8in respectively. It is
likely to be a triplet design, and not a soft focus type so they could be used for groups and other studio work.
They were anastigmats giving good definition over a flat field, and classed as "highly satisfactory" in B.J.A.
1947, p178; 1949, p236. The example in the advert. in the B.J.A. 1947 advert. seems to show lens No38886,
although this may not be the complete number.
Apo Portrait This may be the same as the above. (B.J.A. 1949, p169)
Projection Lens f3.5 0.9in on Micro Film Reader BK (B.J.A. 1943, p169).
Supar Enlarging Lenses.
Wray sold Supar enlarging lenses prewar , "one of the most popular on the market." See B.J.A. 1941, p348.
These were 3-glass triplets, in f3.5 and f4.5, in barrel mounts with plain iris, but white surround to the front.
Purpose made enlarging lenses were a more common postwar sale as the trend to small cameras intensified
the demand for sharp lenses. Thus Wray offered two series of 3-glass triplets for this purpose. (Wra009) and
these were supplied coated from early postwar and had a clicking iris to set in the dark. The first seems to be
the 3.25in f4.5 Supar (ctd) for 6x6 in MCM April 1948, By idem, May 1949 it was described as very
satisfactory, and there was a wider range of sizes. They were one of the less expensive brands, and this must
be remembered in looking at them today. One used proved to work very well especially when stopped down a
little and used with black + white material as would have been the designers intention. It must be added that in
one comparison in the B.J.A. they showed up poorly against much more complex and costly modern lenses
with 6 glass designs. So the Supar needs to be used within its limitations.
The first mention is of two types about 1950:
Series f3.5 These were made in 2, 3, 4in and use 4in for 3.25x4.25in. The 2in seems to have come first
(B.J.A. 1950, p193) and then been extended to other sizes. The coating was well worthwhile and the colour
correction also very good- up to the best.
Series f4.5 These were made in 2, 3.25, 4.25, 5.5, 7in, use 4.25in for 3.25x4.25in. This set seems to
have developed faster than the f3.5's as 3 sizes are in the B.J.A. list.
These do seem also to have had uses as taking lenses, as a "Supar" seems to be fitted to a Shackman Auto
Camera Mk3 in B.J.A. 1953 p576 advert. and in fact a ?38mm Supar would cover 24x24mm very well and
would be corrected for close up use. (More costly faster lenses included the f1.0 Copying!)
Then the Supar trade name came in as:
Supar Enlarging Lens f3.5 50mm
Supar Enlarging Lens f4.5 135-380mm
Wray Enlarging f6.3 4in This seems to be a lower price product sold on a Wasp enlarger for
6x9cm (B.J.A. 1953, p226) which was said to give excellent prints. It added 3.15 + Tax 1.37, and did not
have an iris.
New series about 1957
In the B.J.A. 1957, p238, there is a notice of a 'new' 3-glass series coated, with click stops, in 2,3.25, 4.5in,
for 35mm, 6x6cm and 6x9cm respectively. All were f4.5 max. with stops then marked in factors of 2x up to
32x. Flanges were 1, 1.25 and 1.5in with adaptors to other inch sizes. The B.J.A. 1958 p194 mentions the use
of new rare earth glass in the design, at least for the f3.5/50mm Supar Series II.
Supar Series 11 f3.5 2in Cost 9.50 + 3.70.
Supar Series 11 f4.5 2, 3.25, 4.25, 6, 7in.
Series III These can be traced back to a f4.5/6in lens in B.J.A. 1955, p206, but may not have been in all foci
then. It was recomputed, so that it was optimized for the reproroduction ratios most used and will give
extremely good sharpness and colour correction for 5x4in negatives. It was in a black mount with bold white
iris ring to f32. These last were a rare earth glass design although this was not noted in 1955. Cost was
15.50.
Supar 111 By 1955, these were Series 111 as follows:
f3.5 36, 50mm
f4.5 2, 3.25, 4.25in
The example noted in 1968 did not have a serial number on the front bezel.
Unilux f2.8 3in (76mm) This was an exotic enlarging lens for colour enlargers using high
speed electronic flash for full 2x2in coverage, noted in the B.J.A. 1959, p197. Cost was 30.00 in screw
flange.
Telephoto
The Plustrar trade name was maintained and two series were offered, perhaps intermittently.
Plustrar f4.5 This was made in 6.0, 9.0, 12, 15in, and 15in was suggested for 5x4in. This
was offered in 1946 as Layout Wra008, and was a 6g/2c design. It is distinctly uncommon, probably was only
made early postwar, and has not been seen. One was shown at No21,6xx in a advert. ( B.J.A. 1946 p335.)
Plustrar Tele f6.3 9.0, 11, 12.5in These were offered in 1946. This may be the same as the
lens on the Peckham Wray partial reflex camera, in 9in f6.3. It seems to have a 2+2 layout, with some quite
deep curves. Later it was listed in 6.0, 9.0, 11, 12.5, 15, 18in. Curiously, the advice was to use 12.5in for 5x4
while the 5x4 Peckham Wray actually used a 9in, which has been very well spoken of by one correspondent.
Sadly, many now have damaged internal coatings as these were very soft on the examples of these lenses
seen- they are so soft that cleaning is nearly impossible.
Unilite
This was a Gauss design with a difference, as Wynne noted that the Gauss 6-glass design could be simplified
if the rear pair of the 6-glass design is reduced to one thin glass and this gives a Gauss with a long back focus
such as is often desired for a SLR. The result was a high performance lens covering 50°.(B.J.A. 1958, 204;
Layout Wra016: Wynne in Progress in Physics, 19, 298, 1956). The field of the large format f4.5/135mm lens
could be especially flat as both the sagittal and tangential astigmatism curves had a double bend, with zero
deviations at 15° and 28° and little error in between. [The idea of the simplified Gauss was not totally new as
prewar Zeiss had patented but were forbidden to publish the design of the Biometar, and lost priority as a
result; and Leitz did patent a simplified version of a lens like a 'Summitar' with a single glass component,
though this is a fairly obscure patent]. Wynne also found the increased internal air-space 'helpful' in the
design. (Brit. Pats 575,075, 575,076). There is an extremely interesting early computer survey by M.J.Kidger
and C.G.Wynne in Applied Optics, 6, 553, 1967). Wray were to apply the idea in 3 series of lenses and
partially in a fourth.
Unilite f4.5 135mm This was a costly and high performance large format lens of
superlative quality. It is now scarce, and should be highly desirable but has not been seen. Possibly it was too
costly for the then market. The B.J.A, 1958 p204 classes it as 'special' with a field which is especially flat
since the aberrations are corrected not just at the centre and one point off-centre, but rather at the centre and
two points off centre, the curves going through a double bend. The errors between the points of agreement are
also very small. Thus the sharpness is limited by the emulsion and diffraction, rather than by the aberrations.
It was listed 1958- 1965 at least, and is in the B.J.A. advert. 1958, 558; 1961, p502. The layout is Wra016.
Unilite f2.0 This was made in 35, 50, 75, 108, 140mm where 140mm was for 1/4plate.
Only 35 and 50mm were sold by 1946. The big versions do not seem to be known today. They were covered
under Brit Pat 575,076, USPat 2,499,264. The best known use was on the Wrayflex as a sound 50mm lens.
It was an 5-glass Gauss, compare Wra016 above. The Wrayflex cost 93.5 with the f2, 79.5 with the now
rare f3.5/50mm Lustrar. (MCM July 1951).
Cine Unilite f1.9 This was made in 25, 35, 50, 70, 100mm and the smaller sizes are quite
common among ex-MoD sales. It covered a narrower angle of 50°. It was covered under USPat 2,487,749; Brit
Pat 575,075. The note in B.J.A. 1947, p183 says they were designed for professional movie use, with really
even illumination and sharpness all over the frame. Only the 2in was described in the note, though it was
clearly part of the set above.
Cine Unilite f2.0 This has been noted as an f2.0/35mm at No143,13x (2x) and raises the question
how many are f1.9 and f2 but this has not yet been clarified. The example seen was on a recording camera
