Best Acquirable Portraiture Lens for Graflex Super D

Ian Grant · Jan 16, 2016

njrfoto said:
Thank you for that info Ian. That aperture formula is massively helpful! A lens with waterhouse stops, and the associating slot, could be useful... I will be using most of the portraiture lenses I get for the Graflex at a fairly wide open aperture, so Im not sure if a projection lens with slots and stops is a deal breaker for me... It all depends on whats on the market, what I can find and what I can afford... So any suggestions or leads anyone can give for a fast Darlot Perzval that would be amazing!

Just to put things in perspective a UK seller has a projection Petzval like the one you linked to yesterday for under £150, it's 14" though so too long and a bit slow at f7.7. You should easily be able to find one in the UK in the £100-£150 price range with a slot for Waterhouse stops. MWClassic have them every so ofte, their site is down while they chage server today.

It's worth looking at how Ken Lee uses Tessars, they are nice wide open, a Cooke Triplet Series IIwould be nice for portraits as well. I have an 8" on my 5x4 Soho Reflex but I still need to fix the shutter. TTH Cooke sold the same lenses with soft focus devices but they are very sought after and fetch high prices, on the early ones essentially yo moved the front and rear cells slightly apart, you can do the same by unscrewing the front cell slightly.

Ian

njrfoto · Jan 17, 2016

Just out of interest, what lens is this she is using on her Sinar (Norma?)? Would be interesting to see the comparison to the (presumed) 8" Darlot Petzval lens shes using on her Graflex and this silver beauty... Been awhile since Ive dusted off my old Sinar but that looks to be a 5x4 or 5x7 format, so I assume the lens is of a similar ilk to cover the same size plates that shes using with the Graflex to get the same looking results from each camera setup...

Ian Grant · Jan 17, 2016

Looks like maybe a Symmar in a Compound shutter, and there's not the swirlyness in the other images to assume a Petzval/Darlpt it may be an RR or a Triplet portrait lens.

Ian

njrfoto · Jan 18, 2016

Ian Grant said:
Looks like maybe a Symmar in a Compound shutter, and there's not the swirlyness in the other images to assume a Petzval/Darlpt it may be an RR or a Triplet portrait lens.

Ian

Ahh ok - Ive been speaking with the guys at MWClassic and they have suggested Gasc & Charconnet and Alexis Millet Petzval lenses, not Darlot specifically... Has anyone got any experience with these lens makers?

This is the Gasc & Charconnet that theyve suggested...
http://mwclassic.com/product/gasc-c...h-130mm-front-to-rear-glass-diameter-is-70mm/

Ian Grant · Jan 18, 2016

The Petzval portrait lens (design) was made by quite a few companies in various countries, some more collectible than others which affects the price. MWClassic are usually reasonably priced but sometimes if there's an exotic name they are pricey

Anyway it's probably no good to you as the flange is too large for a 4"x4" lens board, my estimate is it's a touch more that 12.5cm/5 inches outside diameter.

Ian

Pete O · Jan 18, 2016

I know that Ian seems to have an undying faith in MW Classic but in the recent past they have mis-described lenses that they are offering for sale.
All that I'm saying is "buyer beware". They do respond to messages correcting their mis-statements but usually after the auction sale has been completed.
Pete.

Ian Grant · Jan 18, 2016

Pete O said:
I know that Ian seems to have an undying faith in MW Classic but in the recent past they have mis-described lenses that they are offering for sale.
All that I'm saying is "buyer beware". They do respond to messages correcting their mis-statements but usually after the auction sale has been completed.
Pete.

If you read what I've written here (and on other forums) I say as a buyer do some homework (that's with a purchase from any seller or company). I've done very well buying from MWClassic usually better than described and no issues but look what I said about the lens they recommended to the OP

I don't think I've ever seen them deliberately over-state items, however I've seen them make mistakes or assumptions from lack of knowledge. When it comes to descriptions of condition and functionality there's never an issue. I've always found them easy to deal with.

As to "Undying Faith" get real I only buy what I know are bargains from them and believe me they have been and I couldn't have found better.. The reality is I buy mostly from this Forum and the LF forum, then Ebay and very occasionally from dealers and because they sell what I want that's mostly MWClassic.

Ian

Ian Grant · Jan 18, 2016

Pete O said:
I know that Ian seems to have an undying faith in MW Classic but in the recent past they have mis-described lenses that they are offering for sale.
All that I'm saying is "buyer beware". They do respond to messages correcting their mis-statements but usually after the auction sale has been completed.
Pete.

As a follow up to my last reply one problem is few UK sellers in our field have good websites, Peter Loy's is abysmal yet he has good items prices right, Peter awlmes isn't much better, MWClassic hasn't become stable since their re-vamp.Robert White is crap since he sold up (and recentlysadly passed away), Bob Rigby is now crap, Teamwork is crap, FFordes are now rip off merchants. Lionel Hughes has switched to mostly Ebay but slowed down anyway.

In short it's wort watching MWClassic . . . . . . . . . .

Ian

njrfoto · Jan 19, 2016

Ian Grant said:
As a follow up to my last reply one problem is few UK sellers in our field have good websites, Peter Loy's is abysmal yet he has good items prices right, Peter awlmes isn't much better, MWClassic hasn't become stable since their re-vamp.Robert White is crap since he sold up (and recentlysadly passed away), Bob Rigby is now crap, Teamwork is crap, FFordes are now rip off merchants. Lionel Hughes has switched to mostly Ebay but slowed down anyway.

In short it's wort watching MWClassic . . . . . . . . . .

Ian

Sad but a true state of things in the UK... To each their own I suppose, if someone/somewhere has a piece you're after and its a good price, and they know what they're talking about, why not?!? So far though, the guys at MW Classi seem friendly and willing to help, so I am enjoying their service so far

njrfoto · Jan 19, 2016

Ian Grant said:
Looks like maybe a Symmar in a Compound shutter, and there's not the swirlyness in the other images to assume a Petzval/Darlpt it may be an RR or a Triplet portrait lens.

Ian

So something like this, Ian?

http://www.mrcad.co.uk/CarouselProd...ry=152&manufacturer=Schneider&subcategory=732

But shorter than 300mm obviously...

campy51 · Mar 3, 2016

Anyone have info or know how good this lens is? No aperture blades and some nicks/scratches on front element.

removed account4 · Mar 3, 2016

hi campy51
it says on the rim it is a 12" dagor
i've never had or used this lens, but others love it, and its mystical qualities.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=dagor+lens+design&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

good luck!

Best Acquirable Portraiture Lens for Graflex Super D

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