Graflex.org

[ct_lewis]

I have a crown graphic with a 90 mm and 135mm and I want to get a longer lens. Can someone recommend a good focal length (and brand of course) for head and shoulder type portrait work as well as a good source for purchasing the lens, board, cam and the viewfinder. (My camera has a top mounted graflex rangefinder and uses an interchangeable lens/frame. I would assume a longer lens would involve a change to this portion of the rangefinder as well)

[Les]

The easiest lens to find all of this I suspect would be the 10" tele optar. A very good lens for head and shoulders, also not as tack sharp as say a new Apo lens would be.

This lens also has the benefit of not being expensive as it sells in shutter for around $125-$175. You can also find these in barrel which won't help you.

Now finding the mask and came may be difficult.. And I think you'll find the masked viewfinder to be a less than workable solution. Once you find the lens y ou might do better making a mask for the sport finder. I suggest you keep a search out on ebay all of them, or try the links for the retailers on the home page of this site. Fred Lustig may have the cam and mask as well. These would be new and he doesn't give them away.

If you want to forgo the RF, you might want to look at something shorter... say in the 180mm- 203mm range. There are several semi modern lenses that would do well. The Symmar S, or even a 7.5 inch Tessar would work well. The 203 Ektar is gaining popularity again and would fit the job.