Graflex.org

primus96 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 3:40 pm Post subject:

If I took a lens from a Polaroid 110, a Rodenstock Ysarex 127mm.
Would it : A. Be suitable for a Graflex
B. Have a wider field than the std Ektar 127mm?

JoePhoto · Joined: 13 Oct 2001 Posts: 75 Location: New England

I think you would find that it would be the same.

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

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

At least one company converts 110s into 4x5 cameras. So you'd figure the lens would cover 4x5. If your goal is to find a cheap normal lens I hate to say it but those 110s aren't cheap. Every so often I keep my eye out for one to convert. Likely with the 70mm back I have. I've never seen one go for a low enough price to make sense if the only goal is to strip the lens and use it. 135mm to 150mm lenses aren't that expensive on the used market. You might get an older 150mm lens for less then the camera costs. The lenses that sell for more then the cameras tend to be fairly modern.

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

Both the Ektar and the Ysarex are Tessars in design. The main benefit of a Tessar is that it's fast..4.5, versus say a Dagor at 6.8 or a Protar at 7.7.

Both of those lenses will be sharper and provide more movements than a tessar, but they are slower and if your hand holding you need the speed.

The 127mm Ektar was designed to cover 3 1/4 x 4 1/4, so it performance lies in that area, this is why a lot of times the corners of a 4x5 is soft.

That said the Ysarex is 20+ years newer in design and uses hot (radio active) glass. My hunch is that while you won't get a bigger image circle, the edges of the image circle will be better on the Ysarex.

Oh and late in the game you could get a Crown Special with a 135mm Ysarex.

re: converted Polaroids. I'm not aware of anybody converted Polaroid folders to 4x5 cameras. There was a company that converted them to Polaroid pack film, but that's 3 1/4 x 4 1/4

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

Some company named Littman does the 4x5 110 polaroids. Cost is in the same ballpark that would buy a person a Canham or other high $$$ camera. Personally I'd rather have the Canham but all of us having different wants keeps the world turning.

[ This Message was edited by: Nick on 2003-12-23 19:21 ]

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

This was an oops. Can it be deleted?

[ This Message was edited by: Nick on 2003-12-23 19:22 ]

Murray@uptowngallery.org · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 164 Location: Holland MI

Dean (search web for Razzledog) does 4x5 conversions with 110's and even 150's or 800's. New back, new front standard. I think they start at $600. He sells them on eBay too. I saw one with bids in the $300 range.

Murray