Graflex.org

Tiltall ED · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:58 am Post subject:

I'd like some help on the following three lenses, for a Speed Graphic.
While I know Wollensak made lenses for Graflex, and the Graflex Optar 135mm. f./4.7 , synchromatic Rapax shutter, most often came with a Graflex. These other two, I would like to know more about.
1. a Raptar WA 108mm. f./ 6.8 , Rapax synchro shutter ?

2. a Antistigmatic Extreme WA 159mm. f./ 12.5- f./ 45, Rapax shutter ?

Are these # O, 1, or 3's Shutters? and what lensboard opening would I need for each? And would the two have a large enough image circle dia. for the 4x5?

All Three, are in Wollensak lined cases, but have been in a safety deposit box for the past 45 years, they all look brand new! They seem like odd sizes to me, and I've not seen them listed or any info on them. Can someone fill me in? Thanks!!

_________________
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"Oh babe!, you're a hefty one!, spread your legs, raise up a little, turn to the left, and now right! You're the most beautiful.... tripod I use!

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

The lenses aren't in shutters that conform to modern size standards. You'll just have to measure the diameter of the mount threads and have boards drilled to order. Both should cover 4X5 with room to spare. It wouldn't surprise me if the 159mm extreme wide angle might cover 8X10 easily.

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Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

chaska · Joined: 16 Oct 2003 Posts: 3 Location: Charlotte, NC

The 159 is a wide angle for 8X10, mine is the f9.5 version and is mounted in a synchro compur shutter. Don't know about the 108 but cameraeccentric.com has some catalogs.

TiltallED · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:51 pm Post subject:

Thank you, for the replys!
As it turned out, I wound up with two Wollensak #2 syncromatic shutters, one being a Rapax, with the 4 1/4" (108 mm.) f/ 6.8 Raptar wide angle. And the other a Graphex, with the Graflex Optar 135 mm. f/ 4.7, they both have the syncromatic selector, reading as from left to right;
( black M, red M, red F & black X, and black OFF positions) for flash bulbs and strobe/ electronic.
So to use with flash bulbs, I'll need selenoids and none with strobe's, from what I've read here. Is that correct?

One other question, to mount these to #0 boards, ( 1 mm. thick ) Can the locking ring be turned around if the hole in the board is just large enough (34 mm.) for the shutter threads, and the flange of the ring snuged up tight to the back of the board? As old as both of these are, they have not been mounted on boards before. I think they should be used, and not kept in a safety deposit box.
Since I first posted, I bought two other newer lenses for the Speed Graphic, both are in # 1 copal shutters, and they need boards also. 1) is Rodenstock Geronar MC 210 mm. f / 6.8, and 2) is a Schneider Kreuznach Symmar-S 210mm. f / 5.6, and for both of these the locking ring step is 1mm. wide, and the hole in the boards should be the size of the locking ring step dia. , not the thread dia. since these both have index pin screwheads, and mate up with index holes in the boards. Which are on order for them. I would think the Speed's 12 3/4" of rail, could use these lenses effectively.

_________________
"Only you can capture a moment of time, in a fraction of time on film, with only your, eye, finger and camera!.....Why wait!!"
Speed Graphic 4X5in.
Pentax 6X7cm.
Canon A1-AE1 35mm.

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

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

I have to echo Dan's question as to why you got two 210s. Either one of them would be enough; while Dan is right that the Symmar would be the top choice, I have a Geronar 210 and am amazed at its performance since it is a simple design and does not cost a lot.

TiltallED · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:35 am Post subject:

Well ! The price was right, and I would try them both in the Speed G, but an Ebony 45S has caught my eye too!

And a 210 mm for it would start the lens system for it.
Besides I'm retired, and this Camera bug I've caught, is more fun than catching chickens for a Sunday dinner!

_________________
"Only you can capture a moment of time, in a fraction of time on film, with only your, eye, finger and camera!.....Why wait!!"
Speed Graphic 4X5in.
Pentax 6X7cm.
Canon A1-AE1 35mm.