SCOVILL'S ECONOMIC LENS

The Scovill & Adams Company of New York 1890-1898

Appearing as early as March,1890, Scovill's Economic Lens was available as a separate catalogue item in sizes 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 and 8x10. Later on, 5x8 would be introduced. The Economic Lens could also be had as part of an outfit, on Scovill's "Economy" series of field cameras that were offered in 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 and 8x10 between 1890-1891. By June, 1891, the Economy Outfits were no longer offered, but the Economic Lens would continue to be manufactured through 1898.

Equipped with a rotary aperture (or wheel stop), the barrel displays a matte finish versus the polished and lacquered finishes more typically seen on more expensive lenses. Designated as the No. 4, this 8x10 example mounted on a 4-3/4" square lens board, was the largest size offered. It's approximate measurements are 1-1/4" barrel diameter, 1-3/8" shade diameter, with a height of 1-3/8".

Touted in advertisements as being "a good, low-priced Rectilinear Wide-Angle lens", it would live up to the "Economic" name, continuing to be offered through 1898 with no increase in price from 1891.

Like many other cameras and apparatus from the 1890's, despite being advertised and having a respectable eight-year production run, Scovill's Economic Lenses are almost never seen today.

From Scovill & Adams' How to Make Photographs, October, 1893