Taylor, Taylor & Hobson Anastigmat 2-inch 50.8mm f/2 (Collapsible)

Taylor-Hobson Anastigmat 2-inch 50.8mm f/2 (Collapsible)

The Taylor-Hobson Anastigmat 2-inch f/2 is a British standard lens made for Reid rangefinder cameras. Its collapsible metal barrel, fast aperture and original rangefinder-coupled Leica screw mount distinguish it from rigid Cooke and Taylor-Hobson lenses with similar specifications.

Optical Qualities

The lens uses six elements in four groups in a nearly symmetrical anastigmat design. Its 2-inch focal length is approximately 50.8mm, giving a natural standard-lens perspective on 35mm film. The f/2 maximum aperture provides useful low-light capability and selective focus, while the character of individual surviving lenses can depend strongly on coating and optical condition.

History

Taylor, Taylor & Hobson produced the lens for the post-war Reid camera system in Britain. Auction documentation dates surviving examples to around 1948, while reference catalogues place the production model in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was supplied as a high-grade standard lens for Reid screw-mount rangefinders.

Handling

The barrel collapses for compact storage and extends for use. It focuses to approximately 3.5 feet, or 1.07 metres, and is mechanically coupled to the camera rangefinder. The focusing and aperture controls follow the compact layout typical of post-war collapsible standard lenses.

Compatibility

Original examples use the Leica thread mount, also known as LTM or M39. They are rangefinder coupled on compatible screw-mount cameras and can be used on Leica M bodies with a suitable LTM-to-M adapter. As with any collapsible lens, users should confirm body clearance before retracting the barrel on a digital camera.

Sources

• Leitz Photographica Auction, Taylor Hobson Anastigmat 2/2-inch
• LENS-DB, Taylor-Hobson Anastigmat 50mm f/2 LSM