I've been collecting serial numbers of Pinkham & Smith Soft Focus lenses.  Just an attempt to see what's out there and put over time a date range associated with a model number.  Equally so to figure out which lenses were really popular and when.

Pinkham & Smith Semi-Achromat Serial 960P&S Semi-Achromatic Lens ( Series I ). Image courtesy of eBay User aoz_103 [Above image was lifted from antiquecameras.net ... the most extensive source for anything soft focus lens history]

Not an easy task and a lot remains crystal ball gazing.  As times goes on though I hope to collect more and more data to become statistically significant.  As for dates, there are none on the lenses but we can know from advertisements in the photographic literature at which time a model appeared for sale.  

There is still a lot more to be done but without further fanfare, see below the information I have so far after about two years of watching auctions or gathering serial numbers from fellow photographers soft focus lens enthusiasts.

I'm equally keeping track of those lenses without serial numbers.

Give me a shout if you have any information to add, much appreciated.  I've equally started a list on Karl Struss lenses.

The intent is to update this list on my blog when there's significant data added but I hope to get to it at least once/year.

Pinkham & Smith Soft Focus lens serial numbers.

For those who are not familiar with Soft Focus lenses and the history behind it, please visit Dan's website for much more information at

http://antiquecameras.net/softfocuslenses.html

Cheers,

Come back soon for an update on my camera construction projects

Rudi Amedeus.