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Can anyone suggest a lens?

 
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47184274Mike



Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 3
Location: Tasmania, Australia

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could suggest a suitable 4x5 Landscape lens for my Crown Graphic for both the 90mm range and 135mm range that would allow sharp focus across the entire frame and still be available on a budget. I currently have a Wollensak 135mm Graflex lens. As you may have guessed I am new to all this large format stuff.
Also can anyone tell me if the 4x5 Spring back takes the riteway 4x5 holders?

[ This Message was edited by: 47184274Mike on 2003-10-09 06:30 ]
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your Wollensak 135 should be good; 90mm Optar-$? to $150;90mm Angulon-$?to$250,f5.6&f8 versions;100mm wide field ektar-$250 to $350; 90mm super angulon-$250 to $600, f5.6&f8,MC and non MC versions.

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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2003-10-09 06:28, 47184274Mike wrote:
Hi, I was wondering if anyone could suggest a suitable 4x5 Landscape lens for my Crown Graphic for both the 90mm range and 135mm range that would allow sharp focus across the entire frame and still be available on a budget. I currently have a Wollensak 135mm Graflex lens. As you may have guessed I am new to all this large format stuff.
Also can anyone tell me if the 4x5 Spring back takes the riteway 4x5 holders?

[ This Message was edited by: 47184274Mike on 2003-10-09 06:30 ]
If you want an inexpensive, relatively, wide angle lens, you might look for a 90/8 Ilex Acugon, which was also sold as a Caltar. I have a 65/8 and its super. You don't want a 65 Acugon for your 4x5 camera, not enough coverage. Very similar to the Super Angulon, possible performs slightly better, and not as well known so often sells for less.

Cheers,

Dan
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Les



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 2682
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes all riteway film holders will fit your spring backed camera.

Also look for the 88mm B&L often goes cheap and works well.



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Henry



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 1646
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

PostPosted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dan, How's the coverage with that 65 Acugon/Caltar? I gather you're using it on the Century. I'm getting unhappy with my Optar 65.

Henry
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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2003-10-11 11:57, Henry wrote:
Dan, How's the coverage with that 65 Acugon/Caltar? I gather you're using it on the Century. I'm getting unhappy with my Optar 65.

Henry
Henry, I bought the thing on eBay as a mystery lens. It was in an obscure electric shutter (Opto Dynetics). Put it on a board, shot with it on my Speed, the results blew me away. Much much much better than I'd got with my 65/6.8 Optar. A lot sharper everywhere on the frame.

So I got a supposedly new old stock Compur Rapid 00 off eBay (the vendor was Ken Wise) for it. Slow speeds didn't work, despite Ken's claims that the shutter was in good order. Don't trust him completely. The cells screwed right in, but the spacing was off. Steve Grimes fixed that and overhauled the shutter. Steve also told me that Ilex and Opto Dynetics worked very closely together and that the lens was an Ilex. I've found evidence of only one Ilex 65/8, a Manuel (spelling?) Kiner design sold as an Acugon. I've since seen several in Ilex clothing and the cells look like mine. That's why I think it is one.

Anyway, I've done some web searches on the Acugon, have found only posititive remarks. The positive remarks say the 65/8 covers 153 mm, i.e., just usable on 4x5 but with no movements. Keep your eyes open for one. There are also 47/8 and 90/8 Acugons.

Cheers,

Dan
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Henry



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 1646
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

PostPosted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dan, now you've got me salivating. I will definitely be keeping "top eye open" (jeez, guess I can close the bottom eye and take a little nap) for a 65 Acugon.

Final question: what's the going rate for one of these guys? And oh yeah, do you think the cells would fit in a Graphex no. 1 shutter (umm, such as the one that the Optar 65 is in)?
-Henry-
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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Sun Oct 12, 2003 12:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2003-10-11 15:43, Henry wrote:
Dan, now you've got me salivating. I will definitely be keeping "top eye open" (jeez, guess I can close the bottom eye and take a little nap) for a 65 Acugon.

Final question: what's the going rate for one of these guys? And oh yeah, do you think the cells would fit in a Graphex no. 1 shutter (umm, such as the one that the Optar 65 is in)?
-Henry-
Henry, I saw one at a camera flea market a month or two ago, if I recall correctly the vendor wanted $225. And that one was in a Copal #0. FWIW, a 65/8 Super Angulon would probably do as well for you.

One caution. These lenses will make infinity on a 2x3 Pacemaker Speed's inner bed rails. On my Century, my 65 Acugon makes infinity at the back of the outer rails. With lenses this short, the bed has to be dropped. So you see that on a Century its a little nuisance to use. Yes, I know, you've been looking for a excuse to get a 2x3 Speed.

I don't know for sure, but I doubt any modern lens would screw right into a Graphex. Might be possible with adapters, but possibly more costly than having the modern lens' dud shutter fixed.

I was lucky twice with this one. First in guessing that the mystery lens was worth getting and that in guessing that it would go in a #00. Rare coincidences, odds are against doing it again. I don't talk about 'em, but I've bought a small and, alas, growing, pile of really cheap lenses on eBay that turned out to be useless.

Cheers,

Dan
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