Graflex.org

worldphoto · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 4:26 am Post subject:

Okay Rich, I'll still keep a lookout for a PM from you. I have it in my head that Tiffen had made minus lenses in the series 8 and series 9 sizes. Also, that telephoto effect lenses of that type don't have to be so large in diameter as the plus (wide angle effect) lenses. I made a note earlier that I got full coverage on my 4x5 GG with the Kodak Telek -4 lenses and my 135mm prime lens. I used a step down ring from 7 to 6 to put it on the front element.
Just won a Spiralite Macrovar (positive) lens off eBay for variable adjustment of the lens combo focal length. It should be fun to use! I thought the Macrovar was made by Spiratone?
Harry
P.S. It could be a new rate of exchange between Canada and the USA?
No....Auction shows that funds are in US dollars.

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-03-01 20:36 ]

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-03-01 20:41 ]

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-03-01 21:08 ]

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-03-02 03:55 ]

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-03-02 08:32 ]

RichS · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject:

Harry,

Don't worry about a PM. Henry's (the camera store, not the person

) has straightened out the problem. Took a few e-mails, but it's done...

Telek Guy,

Thanks for the clarification on Ansel. And for mentioning the Mamiya! My biggext (only actually) complaint about my 330 is that I can't go wider than 55mm or longer than 250mm. I never thought of diopters! Of course for convenience, you'd need someting close to 49mm and two of them so you can see what it looks like on the GG.

By the way, what year was this info in the "Master Photoguide"? I think I have one or two laying around and will have to check.

I think the biggest problems nowadays is peoples perception and the "gotta have the best quality" attitude. When it's mentioned that some of Adam's best work was done with a 5 dollar used, uncoated lens, peopla makes excuses for the good quality. Almost attributing something magical in his work. And we all know that using a supplimentary lens will severely degrade the quality of the image to the utmost of embarassment. So we better not try it, or at least never mention to anyone else that we did...

I personally love old lenses. And for almost all shots, a fine diffusing of the outer edges enhances the photo. It's nice to be able to read a license plate, road sign or house number from two miles away, but do we have to?

A photographer sent me a couple of 8x10 contact prints a while ago. Very, very nice guy! City scenes. I was amazed, one of the reasons I made the jump to 8x10. ANd I have to admit that I pulled out the loupe just to see the fine deatils. I was more amazed... But those fine deatils that needed a loupe to see did not enhance the photo! It looked just as good from arms length, without my glasses!

We need more people to "play" and stop being so critical. If you're taking a scientific or technical shot, it probably has to be perfect. But for a hobby, it has to be _fun_!

All just my opinion of course. I know other feel differently. And sorry for spilling them out. Sometime it just happens

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"

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RichS · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 7:57 pm Post subject:

Okay... Is there something very screwey going on with my computer today, or am I just seeing things? I _know_ there was a message there from telek guy that I replied to...

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"

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Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Telek guy · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hi group, I'm the guy that wrote the View Camera article on diopter lenses. The way I got into all of this was from old Kodak publications on lenses where both plus and minus lenses were described as being "useful for making MODEST changes in focal length." Also in the one time common "Master Photoguide" as pictured in my article was the graph showing focal length changes. I saw the minus lenses AND the plus lenses. I could barely believe it! It was so easy and cheap. I tried it on my Crown Graphic and it worked. If you want to get into this then get a copy of the Master Photoguide at a swap meet. It has the graph and the effective aperture computer on the facing page.

By the way I have used minus lenses with 35mm using extension tubes. Also tried them on a Mamiya 220 (bellows) TLR. For 35mm the resolution is just too poor. Not real bad on the 6x6 but I never pursued it.

Yes Ansel DID mention supplementary lenses in "Camera and Lens" on page 104. He cautions that they reduce the image quality. He however liked his Protars which could not have been all that sharp in all of their configurations. I found that my 180 Symmar's rear group could not produce and image as sharp as what I get with a -4 Telek and my 135. The diopter lenses do degrade the image but if you use a very small aperture and a lens hood the results are much better than enlarging and image with the resulting grain.

With 8x10 and above I would guess one wouldn't even notice a image quality loss unless the negative was enlarged to mural size.

We're having a little trouble here. I think there's a loose screw behind the steering wheel. I reposted the ghost message. My Photoguide is 1963. But I think the same pages were in several editions if not all. I don't think you can use positive lenses with the Mamiya because the lenses at infinity can't be moved any closer to the film plane.

Bob

RichS · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

Telek guy · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Yeah, the supplementary lenses don't do magic. The prime lens image circle doesn't increase so when using the plus lenses don't work well with a short focus lens that barely covers in the first place. Besides that often the edge of the lens mount causes vignetting. It's best to use an oversized lens. Fortunately this is easy with the plus lenses.

Another possiblity for minus lenses is from an surplus optical company like Edmund Scientific. I don't know if they still have lenses. The stock varies a lot in type and availabilty. Amateur telescope builders might know of sources.

worldphoto · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 7:05 am Post subject:

Rich
Good you got everything worked out with Henry's.
Telek Guy
I found the same info in my 1953 edition of Master Photoguide (Bought on eBay). I was going to ask you if Edmund Scientific was still in business. I found Blaker's Field Photography on Amazon used books for less than twenty dollars (like new).
Harry

t.r.sanford · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject:

Edmund Scientific now is divided into three entities. Edmund Industrial Optics has lots of lenses, all expensive; Edmund Scientifics sometimes has a small assortment for science projects and the like; and Anchor sells surplus optics. I've seen very few minus lenses at the Anchor site, and no large-diameter ones. You can get to each site from http://www.edsci.com.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

worldphoto · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for the great info! It has made it clear to me that what I want needs to be special made. Now to find a source.
Harry

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-03-14 19:10 ]

worldphoto · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:00 pm Post subject:

It looks like I may be wrong on my previous post! There are other sources for negative meniscus lenses. I'll report back after I have a chance to try my new lenses.
Harry

worldphoto · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 4:20 pm Post subject:

http://www.surplusshed.com
Everyone should make their own judgement...... You decide!

They are working great for me on my 360mm lens with a 120mm filter size. Prices $20.00 each or less delivered.

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worldphoto · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 4:16 pm Post subject:

There still seems to be some interest in this thread because the number of hits. It started by showing the availability of a series 7 (minus)-4 diopter lens on eBay. I already have paid the higher prices for the minus (-) diopter lenses but there is no reason anyone else should. Surplus Shed link sells Educational Double Concave Lenses for approx. $1.50 each. The 50mm diameter -250mm focal length lens (a -4 diopter) sells for only $1.50 plus shipping. Not too bad to experiment with -diopter lenses.

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-04-01 09:17 ]

RichS · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject:

Since you ordered some of them, maybe you can answer a quick question?

How do they mount? Do they screw threads, or just a round piece of glass and leave the mounting up to the buyer? Hopefully I'll get around to ordering some soon, but I'm really tied up with other stuff at the moment...

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"

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