13" F6.8 Wollensak Triple Convertible

[TheFlyingCamera]

Anyone have any info on this lens? I just picked up one on that auction site for a very reasonable price, and I was wondering if anyone knew the reputation of said lens, its coverage, or anything else of relevant history. Much appreciated!

 

[jimgalli]

Is it the antique Series 1 or the newer series 1a?

 

[removed account4]

scott

i have and use a 13-20-25 wollensak triple - it's in a betax shutter (#5 i think?) .. this might be the antique one that jim mentioned ... it is a great lens, covers 8x10 with ease, and while some folks cringe when the elements are removed to shuffle around the focal length, they suggest sharpness issues &C, i haven't had a problem, and i have shot wide open and stopped down all 3 focal lengths.
i have been told that it will cover a 11x14 as well, but haven't gotten the ground glass to test THAT yet

john

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

This is a Series IV, in an Alphax shutter.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWN:IT&viewitem=&item=200060082049&rd=1&rd=1

here's a link to it.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Have you visited www.cameraeccentric.com, where a number of Wolly catalogs are posted?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I looked them over, but nothing exactly matches the auction listing. I'm wondering if the seller made a typo in the auction description, or they posted the wrong photo. I'm hoping for the typo, not the wrong photo.

 

[jimgalli]

The auction text does not match the picture. The picture is of a 13" series 1a while there was in fact a 12" series IV wihich is far less desireable. It is not convertible. It's a cheaper product and a dialyt type lens. Wonder if they just figured heck they're all the same and stole someone elses photo.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I have a feeling that this is indeed a Velostigmat Series IV 12" lens cells that have been placed into an Alphax shutter that has aperatures marked for different a triple convertible lens.

The 12" Velostigmat will cover 8x10. I think they came from the factory in three choices: barrel, mounted in a Beatax No 4 shutter, or mounted in an Optimo shutter.

Good luck with it.

Wayne

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Well, he does have a return policy, so if it is not what is pictured, I'll send it right back. If you look carefully at the photo, it does say 13" on the front cell.

 

[pgomena]

I owned a Seriess 1a Wolly 13/20/25" and found it to be a decent performer. Sharp and contrasty in the 13" configuration. My favorite focal length for 8x10 was the 20" rear unit with a #15 filter to help with chromatic aberration. The 25" element didn't seem as sharp, but I blame that more on my wobbly old Korona than on the lens.

Peter Gomena

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If it turns out the thing is some kind of mish-mash (ie a 12" front element and the rear from the 20" triple convertible), what's that shutter worth by itself?

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Did your lens ever arrive? If so what did it turn out to be?

Wayne

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

It arrived- and it is indeed a 12" Series IV Wollensak F6.3 ... NOT the triple-convertible. I can't complain too much, as I think the shutter by itself, which is in PERFECT working order, is probably worth what I paid for it, and the glass is pristine as well. So now I have yet another 12" lens. Oh well. Someday I'll have to put it on some kind of ghetto-rigged lensboard and give it a try to compare it to my 12" Commercial Ektar.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

I think you got a good price on a good shutter and some lens cells for free.

I just took a shot in the dark on one of those auction sites for an 8x10 Empire State No.1 camera with a lens that I couldn't make out. The lens turned out to be a Wollensak Velostigmat Series V 13" f7.5 in an Autex shutter. I had thought it might be a Betax shutter from the crappy photos but it wasn't. I'll have Carol do a cla on the shutter and try it and the 13" lens out.

Thanks for answering, I was wondering how you came out on the deal.

Wayne