Convertible Lens sets

[Robb Scharetg]

Hello All

I've been watching the auction site and there was a Goerz Pantar set on it that did not hit the $3K reserve. Copal 3, three lens barrels and 8 cells for a lens range from 172 to 460, all cover 8x10, some 11x14 and up. I'm interested but it's a LOT of $$$. I know it's from Goerz but still . . .

So here's my question: thoughts/opinions/comments on the Pantar vs. the Zeiss Protar. Lens/image quality, especially for color work, flare, etc.
I've done all the research I could via web, Kingslake, Vademacum and there's just not a lot out there.

And then to throw in one more variable there is the alternative of 'going modern' and getting the Cooke XV/A with two lens sets and one shutter. Only thing is that with the Cooke option my widest option would be a 223 mm. but that's ok I have other wide angles.

Oh yeah, in a 'perfect world' the lenses would mostly cover both 8x10 AND 11x14, I realize that the shorter lengths won't but the longer Pantar and Cooke cells will, anyone know about the Protar.

Thanks in advance for your insights and wisdom.

Robb

 

[Pinholemaster]

Have no knowledge of the Protar.

I do own the Cooke XVa. Wonderful lens. Don't really see the need to get two set of cells. I got a Nikkor 240mm instead. That said, the XVa in its three different configurations has never let me down. Great engineering.

 

[avandesande]

Robb, I would say that the pantar set you are talking about is more collectible than useful, unless you are shooting primarly 4x5 or 5x7. You would get much more bang for the buck with a regular series VII protar set.

 

[coriana6jp]

Hi Robb,

I also have an XVa, best lens I own hands down. Sharp and very very contrasty. I also dont have a second one, so I cant get all the focal lens, but you get 273mm and 360mm if you add an additional set, not 223mm.

Like Pinholemaster, I added a Schneider 240mm APO Symmar and Fuji 240mm A, as well as a couple of even wider lenses

Hope it helps.

Gary

 

[Robb Scharetg]

Convertible Lens Set

Hello Walter

Thank you for your reply.

I've wondered how those with the Cooke were liking it, glad to hear it's all it's been said to be.

Cheers

Robb

Have no knowledge of the Protar.

I do own the Cooke XVa. Wonderful lens. Don't really see the need to get two set of cells. I got a Nikkor 240mm instead. That said, the XVa in its three different configurations has never let me down. Great engineering.

 

[Robb Scharetg]

Convertible Lens Set

Avandesande

I appreciate the info, do you happen to know if any of the Protar sets are coated, and how would they be for Color work?

Robb

Robb, I would say that the pantar set you are talking about is more collectible than useful, unless you are shooting primarly 4x5 or 5x7. You would get much more bang for the buck with a regular series VII protar set.

 

[Robb Scharetg]

Convertible Lens Set

Hi Gary

I'm glad to hear another vote for the Cooke. Guess it's time to speak with Clive Russ!

So with both lens sets you get 273,311,368,476 & 646; I think that would certainly cover all my 'long glass' needs for 4x5 & 5x7, medium/long for 8x10 and normal/long for 11x14!

Can anyone with a Cooke set perhaps post some images, I'd be curious to see how it shoots, especially in color.

Cheers

Robb
www.scharetgpictures.com

Hi Robb,

I also have an XVa, best lens I own hands down. Sharp and very very contrasty. I also dont have a second one, so I cant get all the focal lens, but you get 273mm and 360mm if you add an additional set, not 223mm.

Like Pinholemaster, I added a Schneider 240mm APO Symmar and Fuji 240mm A, as well as a couple of even wider lenses

Hope it helps.

Gary

 

[coriana6jp]

Hi Gary

I'm glad to hear another vote for the Cooke. Guess it's time to speak with Clive Russ!

So with both lens sets you get 273,311,368,476 & 646; I think that would certainly cover all my 'long glass' needs for 4x5 & 5x7, medium/long for 8x10 and normal/long for 11x14!

Can anyone with a Cooke set perhaps post some images, I'd be curious to see how it shoots, especially in color.

Cheers

Robb
www.scharetgpictures.com

Hi Robb,

Take a look in my Gallery, most of the recent shots are with the Cooke, including one in color. I have a few other color shots, that havent been scanned yet, I can post them maybe later this evening or tomorrow if I get time.

Hope it helps.

Gary

 

[coriana6jp]

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

This is the one color shot in my gallery with the XVa.

 

[Robb Scharetg]

Convertible Lens Set

Hi Gary

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

This is the one color shot in my gallery with the XVa.

 

[Robb Scharetg]

Convertible Lens Set

Hi Gary

Just got done going through your whole gallery, some REALLY nice work there!

O.K., so now I'm sold on the Cooke as the lens/option of choice, time to start saving my $$$! Although it would allow me to unload a fair amount of glass at the same time so it seems it'd be a good move all 'round.

Robb
www.scharetgpictures.com

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

This is the one color shot in my gallery with the XVa.

 

[Ian Leake]

In my opinion the Cooke XVa is an excellent lens for for 8x10 (most of my recent work has been with one). Although Cooke's specs say its max format is 8x10, I've read various comments on the web that imply that it may be useable for 11x14. I plan to experiment with this just as soon as I can get the right lensboard.

 

[coriana6jp]

Hi Gary

Just got done going through your whole gallery, some REALLY nice work there!

O.K., so now I'm sold on the Cooke as the lens/option of choice, time to start saving my $$$! Although it would allow me to unload a fair amount of glass at the same time so it seems it'd be a good move all 'round.

Robb
www.scharetgpictures.com

Thanks for the kind words!

I think you will be very very pleased with the Cooke. One suggestion, make sure you order a back cap from SK Grimes, it comes in very very handy, and its a good way to protect the lens when you have it in a single cell configuration.

Hope it helps.

Gary

 

[coriana6jp]

In my opinion the Cooke XVa is an excellent lens for for 8x10 (most of my recent work has been with one). Although Cooke's specs say its max format is 8x10, I've read various comments on the web that imply that it may be useable for 11x14. I plan to experiment with this just as soon as I can get the right lensboard.

I tried it on a friends Wisner 11x14 not to long ago. It covered pretty well, with room for movements. There was somebody one here about a year ago, who was also using one on 7x17 if I remember correctly and he got a fair range of movements. A search on the Cooke should find the thread.

Hope it helps.

Gary

 

[avandesande]

You can get newer bausch and lomb sets that are single coated... I don't know how well they perform with color, although I would suspect this is less of an issue with the larger formats.

If you have the money go for the cooke, it is a thoroughly modern convertible set.

Avandesande

I appreciate the info, do you happen to know if any of the Protar sets are coated, and how would they be for Color work?

Robb

 

[Ian Leake]

I tried it on a friends Wisner 11x14 not to long ago. It covered pretty well, with room for movements. There was somebody one here about a year ago, who was also using one on 7x17 if I remember correctly and he got a fair range of movements. A search on the Cooke should find the thread.

Hope it helps.

Gary

Thanks Gary, that's really useful. I don't want to spend another fortune on lenses if I can use the ones that I've got already. Hopefully the right lensboard should arrive tomorrow and I can do some tests myself.

 

[Ole]

I have one B&L Protar VII, coated, and a much older Zeiss Jena Protar VII, uncoated. Except for the difference in focal length, the difference between the lenses in practical use is minimal. There's only two glass/air surfaces per cell, so the flare is very low anyway.

I have shot other uncoated lenses with colour film, even in 35mm. I would recommend that anyone who thinks multicoating is essential to colour photography to give it a try.

My most used convertibles are Symmars - 180/315mm, 240/420mm and 300/500mm. Next is Angulons - 90, 120, 165 and 210mm. The converted focal length is similar to what a Symmar of the same focal length would give. I use Angulons quite a lot anyway, and the discovery that they give decent results as convertibles is a bonus.

The Protars see a lot less use, unfortunately.