Best low cost 135mm 4x5 lens

[Rick A]

I know what you mean with the Ysarex 127/4.7, I have two of them. I have one mounted on a lensboard for my Calumet and the other is still on a 110a that is in imaculate condition. I'm also considering a Polaroid conversion(unless someone buys the kit it's in).

 

[John Wiegerink]

I know what you mean with the Ysarex 127/4.7, I have two of them. I have one mounted on a lensboard for my Calumet and the other is still on a 110a that is in imaculate condition. I'm also considering a Polaroid conversion(unless someone buys the kit it's in).

I sold the good one that I tested years back, but plan on either converting the 110A or maybe just pulling its lens. The fellow I sold the other one to made a hand-held 4x5 fixed-focus box type camera with hand-grip, stuck the lens on it and it worked out very nice for him. He had a bunch of fun with that camera. He also did his own darkroom work and camera shows. He'd bring 16x20 prints to the camera shows and when somebody would admire them he would haul out that simple camera to show them what he took the shot with. He'd say, "See, ya don't need nothing fancy"! Darn good lens, that's for sure. JohnW

 

[John Wiegerink]

I sold the good one that I tested years back, but plan on either converting the 110A or maybe just pulling its lens. The fellow I sold the other one to made a hand-held 4x5 fixed-focus box type camera with hand-grip, stuck the lens on it and it worked out very nice for him. He had a bunch of fun with that camera. He also did his own darkroom work and camera shows. He'd bring 16x20 prints to the camera shows and when somebody would admire them he would haul out that simple camera to show them what he took the shot with. He'd say, "See, ya don't need nothing fancy"! Darn good lens, that's for sure. JohnW

Oh, he had a finder off aSpeed Graphic mounted on top also.

 

[CollinB]

While the 127mm Ysarex is lauded by many, it is a single-coated lens.
There was a later 135/4.5 Ysarex which is multi-coated. (There may also have been a 150mm version.)
I have one. Performs beautifully. It is a quality optic which does not disappoint.
I like it better than the Fujinon 125mm and 135mm lenses that I have had in the past.
It is a Tessar design so it is also a light-weight lens.