Goodkin Astro 8 1/4" f/8 process lens info and valuation

Doohickamabob · Feb 24, 2025

{Moderator note: this post was split off its original thread: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/goodkin-astro-vertical-camera-pmt-i-need-help-advice.211880}

Thanks Matt. I agree.
Now a question about the lens.

The lens I removed has the following specs:
Make/model: Goodkin Astro
"Process Lens JML"
8 1/4"
f:8
written around outside of lens: EFL- 213.2 S/W 1660

Can anybody tell me anything about this lens, and whether it has value? I am curious about a ballpark value, nothing specific. To be clear, I am not posting this to sell, but if I did I would get a proper account here before attempting a sale.

Thank you!

MattKing · Feb 24, 2025

I'd recommend starting a separate thread for this question.
Include in the thread where it came from, and share the photos of it you have already shared, plus one or more that clearly show all of the text on the lens.
I'd put it in the Ultra large format photography sub-forum, but the large format photography sub-forum would also work.

koraks · Feb 25, 2025

MattKing said:
I'd recommend starting a separate thread for this question.

Good idea; I've split it off into a separate thread.

Doohickamabob said:
Can anybody tell me anything about this lens, and whether it has value?

Not really; I expect this was a rebranded lens obtained from another dedicated lens manufacturer, as was common in the day. I couldn't say which one that would be. As to a valuation, I see such barrel lenses (no shutter) of relatively short/moderate focal lengths (210mm) on offer for around $100 or thereabouts. They have limited usability on a large format camera due to the lack of a shutter, so someone either has to use a camera that has some kind of shutter to go with it (Sinar DB, a few of the 4x5" 'press' cameras), or use it for low-light and/or low-sensitivity applications like collodion wet plate. But for the latter, older and faster lenses are typically preferred.

Dan Fromm · Feb 25, 2025

koraks said:
Good idea; I've split it off into a separate thread.

Not really; I expect this was a rebranded lens obtained from another dedicated lens manufacturer, as was common in the day. I couldn't say which one that would be. As to a valuation, I see such barrel lenses (no shutter) of relatively short/moderate focal lengths (210mm) on offer for around $100 or thereabouts. They have limited usability on a large format camera due to the lack of a shutter, so someone either has to use a camera that has some kind of shutter to go with it (Sinar DB, a few of the 4x5" 'press' cameras), or use it for low-light and/or low-sensitivity applications like collodion wet plate. But for the latter, older and faster lenses are typically preferred.

JML is a real lens manufacturer. See Kingslake's history: https://bvipirate.com/Kodak/Rochester.html and https://jmloptical.com/

Re usability, many of us use lenses in barrel. We hang them in front of shutters or hang shutters in front of them. Photographers' machinists such as SKGrimes make custom adapters for this.

Ian C · Feb 25, 2025

More recent information about JML Optical (now ThorLabs).

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Goodkin Astro 8 1/4" f/8 process lens info and valuation

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