305 Graphic-Kowa f/9 ?

Dave Wooten · Jul 14, 2006

Any one with experience with this lens?

Max good corner to corner coverage?

Are they all the same design?

resummerfield · Jul 14, 2006

I believe the Graphic Kowa, the Computar, and the Kyvytar were all made by the same manufacturer. There is a great thread on the LFF http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=10255&highlight=kyvytar

jonw · Jul 15, 2006

They are excellent lens. If you can remove the cells from the barrel, they are a direct fit in a copal 3s shutter. A cheap alternative to the copal 3s shutter is the shutter you find with a Fujinar 250mm or 180mm lens, and perhaps other focal lengths. The Fujinar lens were apparently made prior to the Fujinon lens. I personally like the Kowa over the G-Claron lens of like focal length.

k_jupiter · Jul 17, 2006

From Michael Jones...

"Sandy:

The spacer is to adjust (optimize) the focus at a specific magnification. If you could find the View Camera article on the Doktor (sp?) Jena lenses of a few years ago, it explained how these process lenses are optimized for a specific focussing range and magnification and the cells are spaced accordingly with the "trimming" ring. For "landscape" work (focussing at infinity), I believe you remove the ring. Thanks for the comparison of the Computars.

Mike"

Interesting thought. Perhaps it's time to pull out the 75mm 1.9 Oscilla-raptor and see if I can make it into a real LF lens (3x4) . As is, it won't focus to infinity no how, no why. Perhaps there is a way to modify the spacing to make a usable lens out ofthis paper weight.

tim in san jose

Dan Fromm · Jul 18, 2006

Tim, no matter how you space its cells y'r 75/1.9 will always be a sow's ear.

Dave Wooten · Jul 18, 2006

Tim you might be able to put it on your enlarger for a close up lens...bessler made a reflex hood with a film back attachment so one could photograph objects using the enlarger as a camera. I think your 1.9 is maybe for that purpose?

Dan Fromm · Jul 18, 2006

Dave, the Oscillo-Raptar was made for taking Polaroid pictures of an oscilloscope screen. These things are optimized for magnifications in the range 1:2 to 1.5:1. People have claimed that they have built-in field curvature to match the curvature of the 'scope's CRT.

People offer the stupid things on eBay as wide angle lenses for 4x5. They're not.

'Scope camera lenses are basically useless for other purposes. But the shutters they're in can sometimes -- great stress SOMETIMES -- be used for other purposes.

Dave Wooten · Jul 18, 2006

Dan Fromm said:
Dave, the Oscillo-Raptar was made for taking Polaroid pictures of an oscilloscope screen. These things are optimized for magnifications in the range 1:2 to 1.5:1. People have claimed that they have built-in field curvature to match the curvature of the 'scope's CRT.

People offer the stupid things on eBay as wide angle lenses for 4x5. They're not.

'Scope camera lenses are basically useless for other purposes. But the shutters they're in can sometimes -- great stress SOMETIMES -- be used for other purposes.

Thanks Dan,

I actually am one of those poor souls that purchased one of these lenses on ebay, but thinking the shutter might have some redeeming value...

k_jupiter · Jul 18, 2006

Dave Wooten said:
Thanks Dan,

I actually am one of those poor souls that purchased one of these lenses on ebay, but thinking the shutter might have some redeeming value...

Actually, that Alphax shutter is worth something. It's a tank, even with a rather smallish choice of speeds. I haven't taken it apart yet, might when I get a lens that fits fairly easy into it. I got my 75 f1.9 at a camera show by someone who knew what he was getting rid of. Buyer beware.

tim in san jose

Dan Fromm · Jul 18, 2006

Dave, I once bought an Oscillo-Paragon for the Ilex Acme #3 it was in. OK for what I had in mind, useless otherwise because the shutter wasn't threaded externally at the rear. Not all 'scope camera shutters are like that. I have an Ilex #3 electronic that came from a 'scope camera, also the camera's carcass with the shutter's timing circuitry built in. Sooner or later I'll make it prettier and more useful.

You're not the only hopeful sucker.

305 Graphic-Kowa f/9 ?

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