Difference between revisions of "Beck"
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| − | '''R & J Beck''' was a renowned British optical company based in London. It was founded in 1843 by the nephews of J.J. Lister, Richard Beck (1827-1866) and Joseph Beck (1828-1891) who were in partnership with a famous instrument maker, James Smith (d. 1870). It started as ''Smith and Beck''. In 1854 the company was renamed to ''Smith, Beck and Beck''. After Smith's retirement in 1865 the company became ''R & J Beck''. It produced a wide range of optical products: microscopes, telescopes, trench periscopes for army officers in the First World War, eye test glasses for opticians (optometer lenses), other optical equipment, and last not least camera lenses and even some cameras. Best known in the camera area are some cameras of the brand [[Ensign]] which bear lenses branded as "Beck Ensign". Another highlight in the company's camera engagement is the fact that T. E. Lawrence, better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia', used a plate camera made by Beck.<ref>[http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/cameras/index.htm?lawrence | + | '''R & J Beck''' was a renowned British optical company based in London.<ref> 1867-80: 31 Cornhill; 1881->1900 68 Cornhill.—Factory at Lister Works, Kentish Town, Holloway.</ref> It was founded in 1843 by the nephews of J.J. Lister, Richard Beck (1827-1866) and Joseph Beck (1828-1891) who were in partnership with a famous instrument maker, James Smith (d. 1870). It started as ''Smith and Beck''. In 1854 the company was renamed to ''Smith, Beck and Beck''. After Smith's retirement in 1865 the company became ''R & J Beck''. It produced a wide range of optical products: microscopes, telescopes, trench periscopes for army officers in the First World War, eye test glasses for opticians (optometer lenses), other optical equipment, and last not least camera lenses and even some cameras. Best known in the camera area are some cameras of the brand [[Ensign]] which bear lenses branded as "Beck Ensign". Another highlight in the company's camera engagement is the fact that T. E. Lawrence, better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia', used a plate camera made by Beck.<ref>[http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/cameras/index.htm?lawrence T. E. Lawrence and his Cameras] at Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford [http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk]</ref> |
===Cameras=== | ===Cameras=== | ||
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* Autograph Wide Angle Lens (100°) (~1888)<ref> Beck's Wide Angle "Autograph" Lens at [http://www.antiquewoodcameras.com/beckad1.html Antique Wood Cameras]</ref> | * Autograph Wide Angle Lens (100°) (~1888)<ref> Beck's Wide Angle "Autograph" Lens at [http://www.antiquewoodcameras.com/beckad1.html Antique Wood Cameras]</ref> | ||
* Beck Asymmetrical Lens<ref>See this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157626404572451 image set]</ref> | * Beck Asymmetrical Lens<ref>See this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157626404572451 image set]</ref> | ||
| − | * Biplanat | + | * Biplanat N° 2, 5" |
| + | * Biplanat N° 3, 6" | ||
* Microstigmar | * Microstigmar | ||
| + | * Variable Softness Portrait Isostigmar Ser.VI f/5.6 (1908) | ||
| + | ==Links== | ||
| + | * [http://collectionsonline.nmsi.ac.uk/detail.php?type=related&kv=108517&t=people R & J Beck ] NMSI - People | ||
[[Category:UK|Beck]] | [[Category:UK|Beck]] | ||
[[Category:Lens makers|Beck]] | [[Category:Lens makers|Beck]] | ||
Revision as of 12:25, 11 November 2011
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| Beck Microstigmar macro lenses, date unknown image by Richard Kaye (Image rights) |
| British companies | ||
| Adams & Co. | Agilux | Aldis | APeM | Aptus | Artima | Barnet Ensign | Beard | Beck | Benetfink | Billcliff | Boots | British Ferrotype | Butcher | Chapman | Cooke | Corfield | Coronet | Dallmeyer | Dekko | De Vere | Dixons | Dollond | Elliott | Gandolfi | Gnome | Griffiths | G. Hare | Houghtons | Houghton-Butcher | Hunter | Ilford | Jackson | Johnson | Kentmere | Kershaw-Soho | Kodak Ltd. | Lancaster | Lejeune and Perken | Lizars | London & Paris Optic & Clock Company | Marion | Marlow | Meagher | MPP | Neville | Newman & Guardia | Pearson and Denham | Perken, Son and Company | Perken, Son & Rayment | Photopia | Purma | Reid & Sigrist | Reynolds and Branson | Ross | Ross Ensign | Sanderson | Sands & Hunter | Shackman | Shew | Soho | Standard Cameras Ltd | Taylor-Hobson | Thornton-Pickard | Underwood | United | Watkins | Watson | Wynne's Infallible | Wray |
R & J Beck was a renowned British optical company based in London.[1] It was founded in 1843 by the nephews of J.J. Lister, Richard Beck (1827-1866) and Joseph Beck (1828-1891) who were in partnership with a famous instrument maker, James Smith (d. 1870). It started as Smith and Beck. In 1854 the company was renamed to Smith, Beck and Beck. After Smith's retirement in 1865 the company became R & J Beck. It produced a wide range of optical products: microscopes, telescopes, trench periscopes for army officers in the First World War, eye test glasses for opticians (optometer lenses), other optical equipment, and last not least camera lenses and even some cameras. Best known in the camera area are some cameras of the brand Ensign which bear lenses branded as "Beck Ensign". Another highlight in the company's camera engagement is the fact that T. E. Lawrence, better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia', used a plate camera made by Beck.[2]
Cameras
- Dai Cornex (1905)
- Frena (1894)
- Hill Sky Camera (1924)
Lenses
- Autograph Wide Angle Lens (100°) (~1888)[3]
- Beck Asymmetrical Lens[4]
- Biplanat N° 2, 5"
- Biplanat N° 3, 6"
- Microstigmar
- Variable Softness Portrait Isostigmar Ser.VI f/5.6 (1908)
Links
- R & J Beck NMSI - People
Notes
- ↑ 1867-80: 31 Cornhill; 1881->1900 68 Cornhill.—Factory at Lister Works, Kentish Town, Holloway.
- ↑ T. E. Lawrence and his Cameras at Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford [1]
- ↑ Beck's Wide Angle "Autograph" Lens at Antique Wood Cameras
- ↑ See this image set
