The evolution of photo optics in 130 years

The Gallery of Classic Photography presents the largest private collection of photographic lenses in Russia. The exposition numbers about 230 exhibits, most of which are rare and unique items. The oldest lenses that remember the expressions on the faces of royalty and America’s early settlers date back to the 19th century.

The exhibition features lenses for amateur and professional photography, released in Europe and the United States from 1840 to 1973. Among the main exhibits is one of the first CHEVALIER FAB Paris photographic lenses, developed by the French physicist and optician Chevalier Charles Louis.

A special place in the exposition is occupied by the lenses of the Rapid Rectilinear brand. The first device was patented by British telescope manufacturer John Dallmeier in 1866. However, the production costs were so high that just a few lenses of this model were produced.

Among the exhibits is the Apochromat Collinear lens, which was used by the famous Russian photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky, who implemented a grandiose photo project at the beginning of the 20th century - the first color photography of the Russian Empire. The lens was manufactured by the German company Voigtlander & Sohn in 1910.

The master of Soviet photography Boris Ignatovich (1899-1976) experimented extensively with different types of optics, using lenses for shooting in various genres and conditions. In the studio, among others, he used the legendary Nicola Perscheid portrait lens, named after the famous portrait painter of the 20th century. And for work in the field, I used a Leica camera equipped with an Elmar lens. With the help of Elmar, Ignatovich’s famous works such as "On the Battlefield" (1941) and "Field Kitchen. Frontline everyday life "(1944).

The collection is based on genuine masterpieces of artistic optics, including lenses from Schneider-Kreuznach, Dallmeyer, Zeiss, Wollensak, Berthiot and others. The exposition presents the developments of about 30 leading manufacturers of photographic equipment of the second half of the 19th - mid-20th centuries, including such grandees as the Carl Zeiss plant and the American company Eastman Kodak Company.

Despite their venerable age, all the lenses are still in good condition: they can be installed on the camera right now and take high-quality pictures.

The exhibition is addressed not only to professional photographers, but also to amateurs who are interested in the history of photography and the development of photography equipment. The exposition is open to the public every day, except Monday and Tuesday, from 12:00 to 21:00. Anyone can take pictures of the exhibits without the consent of the administration. Guided tours are available for groups of 25 people or more upon prior request. The ticket price includes admission to current exhibitions.