Baltar

Technical Details

The Baltar series encompassed focal lengths from 25mm to 152mm, with the standard 50mm lens at f/2.3 being the most widely used. The optical design was based on a modified Cooke triplet design with 4-6 lens elements, depending on the focal length. The 50mm model weighed 1.2 kg with a front diameter of 67mm and used 52mm filter threads. Typical for Baltar lenses was the shallow depth of field at wide apertures and a characteristic bokeh due to the optical spherical aberrations.

History & Development

Bausch & Lomb developed the first Baltar lenses in 1938 in response to the increased demands of color film. In 1942, the company received a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Baltar series. In the 1950s, Baltar lenses dominated Hollywood productions until they were gradually replaced by sharper Zeiss and Angenieux optics from the 1960s onwards. Production ended in 1973 when Bausch & Lomb withdrew from the cinema lens business.

Practical Use in Film

Director John Ford used Baltar lenses for "The Quiet Man" (1952) to capture the romantic atmosphere of Ireland. Cinematographer James Wong Howe used them in "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957) for the nighttime New York scenes, as they allowed for manageable shutter speeds even in low light. The soft look of Baltar lenses was particularly suitable for portraits of female leads, as skin imperfections were naturally concealed. The close minimum focusing distance of 0.9m on the 50mm lens allowed for intense close-ups without additional diopters.

Comparison & Alternatives

In contrast to the sharper Cooke Speed Panchros, Baltar lenses produced a "softer" look with less micro-contrast. Modern reissues such as the Bausch & Lomb Super Baltar or the Cineovision Baltar adaptations attempt to preserve the characteristic look for digital cameras. Today, vintage enthusiasts use original Baltar lenses on ARRI Alexa or RED cameras for music videos and commercials when a nostalgic look is desired.