dfferance between Wollensak grafic and enlarger Raptor.

[Paul Howell]

I was going through my enlarging lens and found a second Wollensak 50mm, I have a matched set of 50 and 75mm that I set up for use on my Opeums III, these both have chrome barrels and are labeled as enlarging raptar. The second is in a black barrel, red lettering on the face of the barrel 2" (51mm) Graphic Raptar. Barrel is a little shorter than the enlarging raptor, and not as heavy, might a 3 element design. Have no idea why someone would need a Graphic 51mm. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[mdarnton]

The Grafic Raptar is a fancy lens, the better one, but it's probably got an aluminum mount. The other is just a Tessar, but mounted in brass.

 

[jjphoto]

I was going through my enlarging lens and found a second Wollensak 50mm, I have a matched set of 50 and 75mm that I set up for use on my Opeums III, these both have chrome barrels and are labeled as enlarging raptar. The second is in a black barrel, red lettering on the face of the barrel 2" (51mm) Graphic Raptar. Barrel is a little shorter than the enlarging raptor, and not as heavy, might a 3 element design. Have no idea why someone would need a Graphic 51mm. Anyone have any thoughts?

I've searched for the answer to this for a long time and never got anywhere. I've never seen any documentation, advertising or marketing material about 'Graphic' Raptars. Some have speculated that they were some how linked with Speed Graphics but again I've seen no evidence.

I do believe they are still tessars simply because of the Raptar name. I have the 74, 90 and 192mm graphic raptars.

 

[Paul Howell]

because it is a 2 inch, might be an older model from the 40s. I mounted it and will print a sample next time I print.