Graflex.org

[djon]

Just got a very nice Tele Optar from our Forum's Dan Fromm.

My little Century's full bellows extension focuses it to about five feet, where it takes in a roughly head/shoulders-sized image.

The Century's modest movements can't do much closer than seven feet with this lens, which means it's not a table-top-photographer's optic. But then, that's not what it's for: equivalent to 350+mm on 4X5!

I've not shot anything it yet (shutter sounds great), can't comment yet on sharpness etc. It's plenty bright at f5.6.

Film will be scanned with an Epson 3200 using anti-newton glass carriers...not the ultimate sharpest but plenty at 13X19 with 6X9 roll film.

I need to figure out exposure compensations for bellows extension...anybody got tips?

John/Albuquerque

[RichS]

I also like the tele Optars, and just about all Optars really. Graflex didn't do much wrong...

As for close-up calculations. Do a quick search for anything like "bellows extension factor" or "close-up calc" and you'll find easy and hard calculations.

I prefer the measuring method where it works. Uses a form of 'target' placed at the object you're shooting, then a form of 'ruler' to measure that target on the GG. Exposure factor is read on the 'ruler'

See mine here:
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/CloseUpCalc.html#CloseUpCalc
Calumet makes a very nice one for about 8 bucks and there's another free one called something similar to 'the disk' somewhere out there...

[djon]

... plus, the 250 Tele Optar takes 55MM filters and accessories (including my 55-72mm step up ring)...and I have a bunch from long use of Canon F1s...including several fine quality close up filters fwiw!

... a super-applicable Canon goodie I'll use immediately is a gelatin filter holder/3" dia. lens shade, designated 72mm and Tiffen-adapted to 55mm. Shades literally add sharpness when you shoot in glare like Albuquerque's.

[djon]

Rich, thanks for the calculator! Hard to believe how quickly I got the answer to my questions....within a couple of minutes! That's milliseconds in Graflex time!

I'll try the calculator and report back.

[Les]

I think you'll find you'll run out of bellows before running into a bellows factor problem.

Or if there is one, the old shutter is probably slow enough to more than make up for the small bellows factor at 10-12 feet.

[djon]

Les, you're probably right...but if I can't worry about traditional non-digital issues (eg extension factor) with an old Tele Optar and a Century, what's left to worry about that's fun?

[RichS]

Wow, I missed the part about using it on a Century! ANd it works? Not bad... But Les is right about not having to worry about the extension with that setup.

But if you build an extension lensboard!

[Henry]

Back in the "good old days," Kodak used to publish the "Master Photoguide," a pocket-size volume full of all kinds of wheelie calculator goodies, among which is an "effective aperture computer," mainly for copy work. I picked up one of these, in its original box, at a camera show for next to nothing. It's mighty handy when the exposure meter battery dies. Mine is the 1954 edition, same year as my Century was made (also my GE DW-68 meter---no battery!). Look around for one of these, it may be just what you need---if indeed you need it.

Also, if you're shooting 120 b/w film with your Century, and then scanning it, try some Ilford XP2 Super chromogenic b/w (C41 lab devel.). It scans beautifully into Photoshop on my Epson Expression 1600, and the exposure latitude is wide enough to compensate for all but the most egregious miscalculation. XP2 Super is nominally 400-speed, but I always shoot it at 100.



[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2005-04-05 08:58 ]

[Dan Fromm]