Lens formula

[slm]

Hi Everyone, I was just reading in another thread, and there was mention about the lens formular, Heliar in this case. If I understand correctly, the Heliar is not only a model, but also a lens formula, or the construction technique used. Does this mean that different lenses that have the same designation (i.e. Sonnar for Hasselblad vs. Sonnar ZA for Minolta AF mount) will exhibit the same "style" of image ?

Is there a site that documents the characteristics of each designation Heliar, Nokton, Sonnar, Plannar, etc.

(BTW, the other thread was Candids / R3M-50mm Heliar Set)

Thanks !
Steven

 

[rover]

Scroll almost half way down.

http://www.panix.com/~zone/photo/czlens.htm

This refers to the original Heliar, Skopar and you may find Nokton and Ultron there too.

I am not sure if the current lens share the same traditional designs as the originals.

http://www.panix.com/~zone/photo/czlens.htm

 

[BrianShaw]

That's a good site that Brett provided. The material posted there comes from Rudolf Kingslake's classic 'A History of the Photographic Lens' (and maybe other Kingslake books). The actual lens designs actually had names, but there were many trade names associated with each design. Each design also had variants because of patent issues. For example, a Zeiss Planar will likely be "true to the design" but the Schneider variant of the Planar will be just that... a variant -- similar in design and performance, but perhaps with one element/group changed in position, for example.