Found Am I insane? 250 Kodak WFE for Fujinon A 240mm

[MTGseattle]

I have a 250mm F6.3 Kodak Wide Field Ektar mounted in an Ilex universal synchro #5. It has a mount flange included, and still has the series retainer ring and both metal lens caps. I was going to list the lens for sale, but thought I'd try a trade post first. I would like to trade for a Fujinon A 240mm F9

 

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[MarkS]

The 10" Wide Field Ektar is a lovely lens. I regret having sold mine when I divested all my 8x10 gear.
Never used the Fujinon, but they have a fine reputation. It will certainly have more contrast than the Ektar, and the shutter (being newer) may be more reliable, but those are the only advantages I can think of.
What don't you like about the Kodak lens?

 

[DREW WILEY]

Good luck with that one. The Fuji A is rightly classified as their "super plasmat" series, extremely well-corrected all the way from near-macro to infinity, large image circle suitable for even 8X10 format with moderate movements, multicoated, TINY and very portable, highly desirable to outdoor photographers conscious of weight and bulk. Unquestionably a more accurate shutter. But if someone prefers the more vintage "look" the Ektar provides, maybe they'll be interested. You could also try trading for a 250 G-Claron - very similar performance to a Fuji A except for having a no.1 shutter and single coating, yet more common and more in line with the value of the trade you have in mind.

 

[MTGseattle]

The Wide field Ektar pricing has been all over the map lately. The Fuji A has a somewhat wide range as well due to the 3 different shutters it could be mounted in and single/EBC multi coating.

I'm after the size reduction. The Ilex #5 and the WFE cells are quite large/heavy. I know there are bigger heavier barrel lenses out there, but I have no interest in shooting with those either.

My ultimate goal is a set of lenses that can function just fine on 4x5 and 8x10.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I've never seen a single-coated Fuji A lens in any focal length, though they did exist. The enormous and very rare 600 and 1200mm ones were only made single-coated. The no.0 Copal shutter was standard to the EBC 240. Any Seiko shutter version would be quite old, and a no.1 Copal, a re-mount. Outside lettering on the barrel of Fuji lenses indicates later lenses with multicoatings. The 240 is extremely sharp for any any 4X5 or roll film back purposes. With 8X10, you need to be well stopped-down, which is rather routine in that format, and might discover a tiny bit of detail loss toward the corners in a really big print, like 30X40 inches in scale, that is, if you are really nose-up to the print wearing reading glasses. So it's a very versatile lens, and one of the very best for close-up shots. I use it as my preferred longish-normal on 4X5, and as a moderate wide-angle lens on 8X10. For 120 roll film backs, it's actually sharper and better corrected than nearly all dedicated MF lenses of equivalent focal length.

 

[MTGseattle]

I owned one 16 years ago. Back when 300-350 was a pretty common price and when the Shen-Hao hzx45-II was $600.

If one wants small and light in 450mm and longer for 8x10, that's when the cash starts getting thrown around.