f4.5 to f63 LENS MADE IN JAPAN

[Curt]

A lens made in Japan f 4.5 to f 6.3 in a barrel mount, nice clean lens with no flange. No 81378 ASTRAGON 1 : 4.5 f = 180mm (7 1/8") lens.

Is is a taking or and enlarging lens? Or in other words what was it's original purpose? Nice glossy black finish solid brass with some brassing on the threads. Appears to be coated and glass is very clear, someone must have taken care of it over the years.

Can anyone tell me anything about the use and origin of this nice lens?

Curt

 

[Ian Grant]

Astragons were rebadged lenses sold in the US, mainly made by Congo in Japan

Ian

 

[Dan Fromm]

Curt, ask Yamazaki if its one of theirs. Ian, Congo is Yamazaki Optical's brand.

FWIW, some time ago I bought a 210/6.3 Astragon, asked Yamazaki about it, and they confirmed they'd made it. Their site is here: http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/index_e.html

 

[Mick Fagan]

Dan, I looked up the link you supplied, interesting company that I've never heard of.

One lens though intrigued me, the soft focus Congo 200 f4, which is made for the cabinet film size.

I've never heard of cabinet as a film size, do you, or does anyone else know what it refers to?

Mick.

 

[phfitz]

Mike,

scroll down their page and their use of 'cabinet' appears to mean full-plate 6.5" x 8.5"

Congo price list

Merry Christmas.

 

[Curt]

I made one mistake in the post, it's f4.5 to f63. I have never had a lens marked f63 and not f64.