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[campy]

The lens reads 8.5 inch (215mm) f4.8 Ilex Calumet Series-S Caltar no. 1331. It came with a graphic view I got off ebay. It's in an Ilex #3 shutter. It has a small dial with a red, white and blue dot on it which I think it's for flash. Next to the dial there is a lever but I am not sure what it's for.
Is there anywhere I can get instructions on this lens? Is it coated? View camera's are new to me so any help will be appreciated.

[alecj]

Ask Calumet, who sold it in the first place.

custserv@calumetphoto.com

[RichS]

It sounded so familiar that I went & checked. But nope, mine is an Acme #4. So this may or may not help. The Acme has the same dial, but is clearly marked what the colors are for. Blue=M, White=F and Red=X for flash sync. The lever sets the flash syncronizer. As I remember, it has to be set for X also. And it can be set before or after the shutter is set.
If the lens is coated, you should be able to easily see the coating colors if you hold it up to a light (bulb) and look at it's reflections in the glass. If it's clear, no coatings.
I hate to surprise you, but the only listing I have for a 8 1/5 (215mm) f/4.8 is a double convertable. 215 f/48 and converts to 14" f/10. The 215 will cover 5x7 and the 14" 8x10. Quite a lot of movements for a 4x5! It's listed with a Copal shutter. If your shutter doesn't have a dual F scale, it might not be original. Or, it may just be a different lens? The only other 8's are 8 1/4 f/6.8, f/5.6 and another 8 1/2 f/6.3. This last lens was made by Ilex and listed as with an Acme #3 shutter. It is not an "S" lens. Oddly enough, all the S lenses were made by Schneider...
So if it's really a 4.8, it's a convertable and an S. If it's a 6.3 and not an S, then it's an Ilex/Caltar.
Contacting Calumet would be a good idea if you're not sure...
The only actual Ilex 215 f/4.8 listed doesn't mention a shutter but does cover 8x10. But it would say Ilex...