For Sale FS: Wollensak Vesta Portrait 11.5" f5 in Studio Shutter

Yet another one of the modified Petzval designs, this one isn't as fast as some of those big honkin' f3 lenses that require a 9" board just to hold it on the camera. This one will actually fit on a 4x4 lensboard! The front rim looks like it took a hit at some time, and is dented along with the front lens cap. There is no rear cap included. Studio shutter works well. The only problem I can see with it is that when stopping down, it isn't a concentric circle. Anyone who owns a studio shutter will tell you that is common among this design. I just had a CLA on my Studio #5 and it came back, unable to make a concentric circle. Even S.K. Grimes couldn't make it happen. Sometimes, it just can't be done.
Excuse my going off on a tangent. Back to this lens. I don't see much in the way of scratches. One light one, maybe two. There is a little separation on part of the front doublet, maybe 1mm, and only on part of it, not even all the way around. If you want to use filters, or even a front mounted packard (if you want flash sync), you can unscrew the front hood. Lo and behold, there are threads to work with here! Proper mounting ring is also included. These don't come around often, so grab this one while you can.
I'll put this one on the block for $695 (net to me) shipped anywhere in the US. Anywhere else, add $50.
Payment can be made in the form of postal money order, cashiers check drawn on a US bank, wire transfer, Western Union, Paypal (gift or you pay the fees). Canadians, I can empathize with your frustration. If you want to buy this now, I'll hold it and ship once your postal strike has been put to rest.

There is at least one on every "board". This cdholden "$nags" my Vesta Portrait lens from lurking on the "For Trade" section of the classifieds and then expects to double his money not even a week later?? He's so worried that the shutter is working correctly that I send him a video of the shutter in action. -- so -- He can list it for twice the price He paid for it? He even tried to get me to throw in a free cable release.

LMHO

What's the point of your post?
I inquired about a lens you were looking to get rid of. You set the price. I accepted. There was no coercion, deception or fraud. I didn't even suggest a price. You set it and I accepted. I found no need to negotiate the price as I thought it was a very reasonable price for a lens in such good condition. If I can make a few extra bucks while selling a few of my other lenses, so be it. Hooray for capitalism. Are you just sour that you didn't ask more for it?
I don't understand what you're trying to achieve with your post above. Maybe just expressing a case of seller's remorse?

Chris

Chris,

No seller's remorse. Photography is a hobby for me and I don't sell my equipment because I need the money. I do get "chapped" when someone who claims to have a desire to use the equipment is only purchasing the equipment to resale it on the same message board, the same week, for double the purchase price. You couldn't at least wait a week or two to "pretend" you actually wanted to use the lens?

Your business practices are not in the "spirit" of this forum. Try E-Bay.

Michael

Good information.

Quite the contrary. We're actually doing a portrait session tomorrow with the Vesta and a Kodak Portrait lens of similar FL (305mm). You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't have to agree with it. The stated "spirit" of this board is for analog photography. While my 5x7 produces more landscape shots than anything else, it still isn't digital regardless of subject matter. I'm closing this thread so your regretful and pointless rants can be posted elsewhere.