250mm (10 inch) Kodak Wide Field Ektar

jp80874 · May 24, 2007

What is a fair price to buyer and seller for a 250mm (10 inch) Kodak Wide Field Ektar in Ilex #5 shutter in 9 to 9+ condition. I am looking at a lens now for 7x17, but am certainly open to other options.

Thanks for your thoughts.

John Powers

PHOTOTONE · May 24, 2007

I purchased one in a private sale a few weeks ago, and had to return it, because although it looked good in a photo I viewed, upon arriving I found that the front lens element had been "polished" to remove blemishes, and the polishing was done poorly, leaving ripples and bumps in the front glass, and because of this the lens would not focus clearly on the ground glass. If you get one of these (at any price) be sure to test it, and be sure to get the promise that you can return it if not satisfactory.

jp80874 · May 24, 2007

Phototone,

Thank you. Very sound advice that is new to me.

John

Scott Peters · May 24, 2007

I have seen them go for as little as $250, up to $400 for better examples on eBay.

wfwhitaker · May 24, 2007

John,

They seem to vary in price on Ebay. I paid $350 for mine on Ebay three or four years ago and thought it was a bargain. It's not the prettiest example, but it works great and is very sharp. You might check with Jim at Midwest and see what he's got.

For the 7x17 my default lens is a 10 3/4" Dagor. In the Acme #4 it's a bit smaller than the WFE, but the focal length is similar. I'm sure there are other possibilities out there, too.

jp80874 · May 24, 2007

This vendor wants $825. Clearly high by both your experiences. I have a 12inch gold rim Dagor with lots of movement and a 273mm (10 3/4) Wollensak Raptar that gives some movement. I was hoping to go a bit wider. The obvious is a 240mm Computar/Kyvytar/Kowa with coverage but we haven't found each other. That was why I started looking at the 250mm WF Ektar. The elephant in the room that can't fit into my pocket is the 210mm SSXL. Thank you both. More ideas please.

Thanks,

John

Jim Noel · May 24, 2007

$825 is a ridiculous price for this very fine lens. They are a joy to work with, but keep looking for a more reasonably priced one. Even through larger very reputable dealers like KEH or Lens and Repro or Midwest or B&H the price will not be that high.

jp80874 · May 24, 2007

Thanks Jim. I wasn't sure, but it seemed high. That is why I asked. There was one on eBay in the last week but it was in Australia creating a shipping damage problem and for some unexplained reason taken off the market after a couple of days at US$525.

John

CRhymer · May 24, 2007

Hello John,

I paid $400.00 for one in March. The lens and shutter are in excellent condition (9++). It was on LF forum. I think you will find a good one for $500 or less if you look around for a while.

Cheers,
Clarence

John Kasaian · May 24, 2007

$600-ish is the highest I'd even consider for a "10" from a reputable bricks and mortar dealer with return privliges for this great lens. $825 is wishfull thinking IMHO. It is a lovely lens though!

Scott Peters · May 24, 2007

Hmmm, just another thought....I actually prefer longer lenses on my 7 x 17, with 300mm being the shortest....seems like you have a pretty good selection for short lenses on 7 x 17....I would strongly consider something longer, like a 450 or 480, or even 600...perhaps an artar or Nikkor 450mm or the fuji's....just a thought...

BTW I have a 16.5 artar and 19 and 24 inch...for landscape, I usually like compression and use longer lenses...on my 7 x 17....

wfwhitaker · May 24, 2007

Protar V?

jp80874 · May 24, 2007

I really appreciate all the good advice. I have a Fuji 600C which is as long as I can go with the Phillips (620mm draw) without going tele or top hat. I also have a 450 Nikon M. I have been toying with the idea of a 355 G Claron or 14 inch Dagor to fill the small gap, but wider than 273 has been my priority.

At age 67 my eyes are not as good as I think they used to be so I have stayed away from the Protars thinking the high numbered widest f stop would not let me see much of the gg. I had to give up an RZ67 along the way to 7x17 because I couldn't get enough light on the small gg to focus. Is this a reasonable assumption about the Protar?

Keep the ideas and specific posssibilities coming. Does anyone know of a 240mm f9 Zeiss Dagor? I bid $1500+ on the only one I have seen and was 2nd place. Anyone know of a 240mm Computar/kyvytar or a Kowa that covers?

Thank you,

John Powers

Curt · May 24, 2007

Any info on the 14" Commercial Ektar? I have one but haven't tried it yet. I have found that the Ektars are fairly expensive on eBay these days. I have two 16.5" Artars, one in a Ilex shutter and one in barrel. I don't know if these will cover 7x17 either.

PHOTOTONE · May 24, 2007

THE 14" Commercial Ektar "should" cover 11x14 but being of a Tessar design, would not give you much room for movements. I have never tried mine on my 11x14. As far as being able to see on the ground glass with a small aperture lens, such as a Protar, well I have a 183mm f18 Protar that I have put on my 11x14 and under a dark cloth I find that I can see the image just fine, and I am 56 and have rather aged eyes also.

PHOTOTONE · May 24, 2007

If you are contemplating a 14" (350mm) lens in shutter for 11x14, all the recent major makers (Nikon, Fuji, Schneider, Rodenstock) have 14" lenses that have more than adequate coverage for 11x14, with movements. 14" is considered a somewhat "normal" focal length for 11x14. All of them have been in production long enough to find good used examples at fair prices.

Scott Peters · May 25, 2007

My 16.5" artar will cover 7 x 17 fwiw.

Curt · May 25, 2007

I am 56 and have rather aged eyes also.

That's my age, there are many of us 56 year olds here I believe.

250mm (10 inch) Kodak Wide Field Ektar

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