Congo lenses

Lachlan Young

Member

Joined

Dec 2, 2005

Messages

4,945

Location

Glasgow

Format

Multi Format

• Apr 1, 2006

• #1

Does anyone have any opinions as to the quality of Congo lenses? Also, are they imported out of Japan or should arrangements be made directly with the factory?

All help much appreciated,
Lachlan

 

KenM

Member

Joined

Apr 22, 2003

Messages

800

Location

Calgary, Alb

Format

4x5 Format

• Apr 1, 2006

• #2

Do a search on lfphoto.info - there are some results over there.

I'm not sure if you can deal directly with the factory or not. Regarding quality, I think their Q&A is somewhat weak - you may get a dog of a lens, or a good one - seems to be random. They are cheap, but in this case, you may get what you pay for.

Badger Graphic used to carry them, but they don't appear to carry them any more.

 

P. Yee

Member

Joined

Sep 10, 2005

Messages

18

Location

N.E. Indiana

Format

Multi Format

• Apr 1, 2006

• #3

I think you can buy Congo lenses through Bromwell Marketing.

 

cperez

Member

Joined

Nov 2, 2004

Messages

105

Location

Portland, Or

Format

Large Format

• Apr 1, 2006

• #4

Kerry Thalmann had several Congo lenses that we looked at. The QA seems to be somewhat variable. But they offer a couple lenses you don't see from the "big names" (90, 120 wide field lenses that are small and multicoated, and the 150mm soft focus).

For the money, picking up a used lens from one of the major manufacturers might be a more consistant, predictable way to proceed.