Somebody will really enjoy owning and using this lens!
It is a modified Wollensak Velostigmat 8 1/4" Series II. The larger sizes of Velo had the option of what Mark Sawyer has termed the Fuzz-U-Lator. You could turn the front glass one full turn and the increased gap between glass one and two would introduce some softness.
On this lens, I've disassembled the front group and added a .062 inch spacer. That's equal to about 1.5 turns if it had the option like the bigger lenses. It's a very subtle effect. Perfect softness with tons of resolution left. A portrait lens someone will cherish, I think.
While I was at it, I serviced the shutter, and it's running perfect. This is a dedicated tool. You can't change it back to sharp sharp like you could on the factory optioned ones. So consider this your dedicated lens for serious portrait work with the 4X5! There's a page of images shot quickly today with THIS lens here, and another page with a 7 inch one that I modified last September, here.
Price includes the flange and the spiffy Series 8 lens shade. $365.00 + shipping. Don't miss this unique lens. Glass is very nice. WollCoated. One or 2 little cleaning sleaks at the back. Nothing really.
