Carl Zeiss Jenna Tessar 13.5cm F4.5

[Feral Donkey]

This was my first lens. I bought it off ebay years ago. I can't remember for how much. I was running it on my Crown Graphic. I've replaced it with a Nikkor 135mm and I've replaced the Crown Graphic with a Toyo field camera. I'm interested in getting rid of both the Zeiss lens and the Graflex. What do you guys think I should ask for them. Should I sell them separatly or together?

 

[David H. Bebbington]

I bought my mint top-rangefinder Crown Graphic about 2 years ago for $180, but lately there have been some crazy prices asked (and apparently paid) on e-bay. Is your lens an uncoated pre-war one in a Compur (speeds to 1/250)? It would be nice to keep the two together, however invariably things amke more money when offered separately. I would think the lens is worth about $50 in average condition

 

[joeyk49]

I paid about $99.00 a little more than a year ago for my CrGraphic, and its in average to good shape. The Optar glass had fungus and the shutter needed a good c.l.a. (Thanks Carol!)

I've seen pricing as high as $500 for them; not that they're getting it, mind you...But they do seem to have shot up in price.

 

[epatsellis]

$50 might be a little optimistic if it's uncoated, I've bought several in the $20-$30 range the last year or so.


erie

 

[Feral Donkey]

I'm thinking I paid around $65 for it if I remember right. It is a prewar uncoated. I put a B&W step up ring on it and a B&W multicoated skylight filter. It did really well until I got a camera with more shift. It's a good lens if you use it as a press camera lens.

I was thinking of letting some newbie have the whole rig and 3 old film holders for $100(without the filter). The CG is in good shape but it was showing some wear on the leather cover's black finish because I was dragging it all over upper Michigan photographing waterfalls. A little black shoe polish and it would be like new again. I wish my new Toyo was built with the craftsmanship and ease of use of that old Graflex.

If you guys run across a newbie looking for a starter kit, send him or her my way. Someone helped me out with getting started and it's kind of nice to pass it on so someone else doesn't have to stab in the dark.

 

[epatsellis]

In addition, I have a Graflex View (Original) with a 135 Eurynar in a dial set compur, 3 or 4 holders and the monorail clamp I'll getting around to listing here soon for $135 or so (3% to apug, natch), I just bought a toyo and it's kinda hard justifying having 3 4x5's (not counting the one on long term loan to a friend).

erie