| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
davebias
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
Posts: 43
Location: New York City
|
 Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:11 am Post subject: |
 |
|
Hi Everybody, I'm very excited to be a new member to the Graflex-owner community.
I'm searching for a set of lenses for my 2x3 Century Graphic. It comes with a so-so 101mm Optar, but I'd really like to trick it out with a wide-angle and a semi-tele.
I'm extremely interested in the 127-150mm 4x5 "normal" lenses that I see on eBay. They're super cheap and super abundant. Most of what I've read on graflex.org and other sites leads me to believe that these lenses would work fine on a smaller camera and would be semi-telephoto. But my skeptical brain tells me that there must be a "But..." about these things.
Are there caveats? Am I wishfully thinking that these would be semi-tele? And more to the point, do any of you have experience using these on a 2x3 Century?
Any help would be much appreciated.
-d |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 11:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On 2003-10-20 22:11, davebias wrote:
Hi Everybody, I'm very excited to be a new member to the Graflex-owner community.
I'm searching for a set of lenses for my 2x3 Century Graphic. It comes with a so-so 101mm Optar, but I'd really like to trick it out with a wide-angle and a semi-tele.
I'm extremely interested in the 127-150mm 4x5 "normal" lenses that I see on eBay. They're super cheap and super abundant. Most of what I've read on graflex.org and other sites leads me to believe that these lenses would work fine on a smaller camera and would be semi-telephoto. But my skeptical brain tells me that there must be a "But..." about these things.
Are there caveats? Am I wishfully thinking that these would be semi-tele? And more to the point, do any of you have experience using these on a 2x3 Century?
Any help would be much appreciated.
-d
|
The big caveat is that some modern lenses have large rear elements that (a) won't pass through the Pacemaker front standard or (b) are so big they won't fit inside the bellows. For (a), to mount the lens unscrew the rear cell, attach board with shutter and front cell to camera, screw rear cell in from the rear. This is especially a problem with modern wide angle lenses.
The small caveat is that non-telephoto lenses much longer than 200 mm won't focus usefully close, or perhaps won't even make infinity, on a Century. The classic long lenses for the Century are the 203(8")/5.6 and 250(10")/5.6 TeleRaptars, also badged TeleOptar. Anything much under 200 mm should work with no problem.
On the short end, the classic w/a lenses for the Century are the 80/6.3 Wide Field Ektar and the 65/6.8 Raptar/Optar and 65/6.8 Angulon. 65/8 Super Angulon and Ilex Acugon will also work. The shortest lens known to work on a Century is the 35/4.5 (not sure of max aperture) ApoGrandagon, and it covers 2x3.
Cheers,
Dan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
davebias
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
Posts: 43
Location: New York City
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 2:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Dan!
That's certainly useful info, however, the gist of the question concerns the abundant 127mm, 135mm and 150mm lenses that come off 4x5 press cameras. The Wollensak Graflex Optar 135mm for example, which I often see on eBay.
Are these lenses usually usable and do they function on the Century as semi-telephoto? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On 2003-10-21 07:17, davebias wrote:
Thanks Dan!
That's certainly useful info, however, the gist of the question concerns the abundant 127mm, 135mm and 150mm lenses that come off 4x5 press cameras. The Wollensak Graflex Optar 135mm for example, which I often see on eBay.
Are these lenses usually usable and do they function on the Century as semi-telephoto?
|
I thought I said they're usable, i.e., buy one and don't look back. If you don't pay too much and later repent, you can get most of your money back by selling the thing.
Don't know what you mean by "semi-telephoto." All of the lenses you're interested in are longer than normal for 2x3 and so will see a narrower angle on 2x3 than the normal lens.
Telephoto has a meaning, and it isn't "long focus." A telephoto lens is constructed so the rear nodal plane is farther from the film than is the front nodal plane. This allows the lens to focus to infinity with less extension than a "regular" lens. Relative to 2x3, the lenses you're interested in are all long focus; none is a telephoto.
Cheers,
Dan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
davebias
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
Posts: 43
Location: New York City
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks again Dan,
This definitely clears it up for me. When I say semi-telephoto, I'm meaning long lens, but I couldn't think of the proper terminology...
I don't know how much time you have on your hands to help a newbie like me, but there's a particular 8" Wollensak lens on eBay right now that I'm unsure about. Can't tell if it's a real telephoto or not, or if maybe it's one of those that's too large for a Century. If you have 10 minutes to spare me - email me at me@davebias.org and I'll send you the link.
If you'd rather not get into this, I totally understand.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On 2003-10-21 08:25, davebias wrote:
Thanks again Dan,
This definitely clears it up for me. When I say semi-telephoto, I'm meaning long lens, but I couldn't think of the proper terminology...
I don't know how much time you have on your hands to help a newbie like me, but there's a particular 8" Wollensak lens on eBay right now that I'm unsure about. Can't tell if it's a real telephoto or not, or if maybe it's one of those that's too large for a Century. If you have 10 minutes to spare me - email me at me@davebias.org and I'll send you the link.
If you'd rather not get into this, I totally understand.
|
Um, about helping newbies, y'know, I used to be one myself. Now I'm an advanced beginnger. If you mean item #2958044768, it sure looks like the tele lens. You might ask the vendor whether he'll take it back if it is unsuitable for your camera. I've never dealt with Rich Vogan, but his listings give the impression that he's a reasonable person.
Cheers,
Dan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 1:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On 2003-10-20 22:11, davebias wrote:
Hi Everybody, I'm very excited to be a new member to the Graflex-owner community.
I'm searching for a set of lenses for my 2x3 Century Graphic. It comes with a so-so 101mm Optar, but I'd really like to trick it out with a wide-angle and a semi-tele.
I'm extremely interested in the 127-150mm 4x5 "normal" lenses that I see on eBay. They're super cheap and super abundant. Most of what I've read on graflex.org and other sites leads me to believe that these lenses would work fine on a smaller camera and would be semi-telephoto. But my skeptical brain tells me that there must be a "But..." about these things.
Are there caveats? Am I wishfully thinking that these would be semi-tele? And more to the point, do any of you have experience using these on a 2x3 Century?
Any help would be much appreciated.
-d
|
I finally noticed that you say you have a 75 mm Protar. Do tell us more about it. Which series, in which shutter, does it cover 2x3, and how does it shoot, for starters.
Cheers,
Dan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
davebias
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
Posts: 43
Location: New York City
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On 2003-11-04 17:28, Dan Fromm wrote:
I finally noticed that you say you have a 75 mm Protar. Do tell us more about it. Which series, in which shutter, does it cover 2x3, and how does it shoot, for starters.
Cheers,
Dan
|
Well Dan, as it happens, I jumped the gun just a little in posting that info. I ordered the lens about 10 days ago from catpawfoto on rubylane.com but haven't received it yet. (poor cat had the flu and just shipped yesterday, he says).
I'll hopefully have it in the morning (Nov 5), so I'll let you know how it goes.
_________________
When does interest become obsession? You should ask my girlfriend... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
davebias
Joined: 20 Oct 2003
Posts: 43
Location: New York City
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just to wrap this topic - I received my Wollensak 8" Tele-Optar and it is in marvelous condition optically. Mechanically, it needs a workout, and as is the case in every Graphex/Rapax shutter I've seen in my (admittedly short) experience. the slow speeds are slower than advertised.
I just got it back today from Lens and Repro where I had it mounted on an undrilled board I got a couple weeks ago, and I have a perfect opportunity to use it this weekend - shooting a couple of portraits of a NYC-based musician/composer.
I've also snagged a VERY used 135mm Optar/Graphex that I'm going to put through the paces - as soon as I dig up a mounting flange...
- dave
_________________
When does interest become obsession? You should ask my girlfriend... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dan Fromm
Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2144
Location: New Jersey
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
On 2003-11-04 21:28, davebias wrote:
| Quote: |
On 2003-11-04 17:28, Dan Fromm wrote:
I finally noticed that you say you have a 75 mm Protar. Do tell us more about it. Which series, in which shutter, does it cover 2x3, and how does it shoot, for starters.
Cheers,
Dan
|
Well Dan, as it happens, I jumped the gun just a little in posting that info. I ordered the lens about 10 days ago from catpawfoto on rubylane.com but haven't received it yet. (poor cat had the flu and just shipped yesterday, he says).
I'll hopefully have it in the morning (Nov 5), so I'll let you know how it goes.
|
Thanks for the reply. I see that you've changed your "info" to read 75 Skopar. I went to Catpaw's site, see that he still lists a 75/2.8 Skopar "covers 2x3." If that's yours, let us know how it does, especially in the corners. Sounds more like a normal lens for 2.25 x 2.25 than a wide angle for 2x3.
Cheers,
Dan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
