Graflex.org

jadeddo · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 Location: California

I have a century graphic with it's standard 103mm/f4.5 lens and am looking to add more lenses. I am seeing several lenses listed that will fit the camera, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on what will produce the highest quality images? Also, my local shop has a large inventory of lenses without lens boards, any suggestions on adapting those for my CG?

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

clnfrd · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2003 11:52 pm Post subject:

In my opinion...you can't go wrong with 101mm Ektar...Optar...or Raptar. I've had my sharpest images, along with magnificent tonal gradations, with a Wollensak Raptar, 101mm. These are all 4-element lenses. You can read all the data...get confused...but the proof is in the pudding. In normal usage, with relatively fast film...stopped down to f11...16...or 22...these lenses are more than adequate. Fred.
P.S. Your "standard" 103mm lens is probably a Trioptar...only 3 elements...and leaves a lot to be desired.

[ This Message was edited by: clnfrd on 2003-04-11 16:53 ]

[ This Message was edited by: clnfrd on 2003-04-11 16:55 ]

jadeddo · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 Location: California

Thanks for the advice. I suppose what I'm looking for is a better "standard" lens than what I have (the sharpness leaves something to be desired, although that may be more to do with the back not holding the film flat than the lens itself) I was looking for a lens that opens more than 4.5 and is faster than 1/200.

In addition to that, I'm just wondering if things like wide angle & telephoto are even an option for this old puppy. Then again, the 103 is pretty wide, I feel like I have to be right on top of my subject because the lens includes so very much background - I guess I'm looking for something to bring my subjects closer.

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

jadeddo · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 Location: California

Wow, thank you for all the information! This helps a lot. The reason it looks like too much forground is probably that my 35mm does have a 50 on it, so that is "norm" to me. Looks like I need a tripod too, the hunk o junk that this camera came with weighs more than I do and is a touch rusty - makes it tough to move closer.

ricksplace1 · Joined: 18 Sep 2001 Posts: 17 Location: Canada

I agree with all of the advice you've received so far and would like to add that I have a 80mm/2.8 Xenotar in a Compur 1-400 as a standard lens. Sharp as a tack but not a lot of movements available. They come up on Ebay infrequently. 127/4.7 ektar I use on my 4X5 and CG. I also have a few "uncoated ektars" (see the lens info on this site). These are basically 4 element tessar type lenses (uncoated) and are sufficiently sharp when used at the smaller aperatures. I use a 100/4.5 Kodak "special anastigmat" supermatic 1-400 from a Kodak Monitor, and a 162?/6.3 "Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat"compur dial 1-200 from a Kokak A3? with a little separation on the edges. Both lenses sharp as a tack if stopped down. These old lenses with new film technology produce outstanding images when used with some forethought about their limitations. Best of all -they're cheap.

mtwo · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 15 Location: Wasatch Front

My Century has a 105mm 3.5 Xenar which I like a lot. It is relatively easy to focus on the GG and is amazingly sharp even at about f4. I use this lens most of the time for almost everything. I also have an 8 inch Graflex Tele-Optar which I use for portraits. It is not so sharp as the Xenar and the max aperature of 5.6 is a bit more difficult to focus on the GG. The Optar also does fine for flowers and the like if the bellows is extended a bunch. You owe it to yourself to stop down as much as the situation allows and use a tripod when you can.