Graphic 23 with 80mm & 100mm Zeiss Tessar Lenses

[illumiquest]

I just came across this camera but can't find much about the lenses. One is an 80mm 2.8 tessar and the other is a 100mm 3.5 Tessar. Both are in shutters and boards which fit the Graphic Graflex 23 camera. Anyone have any kind of information on these?

Cheers!

 

[Wade D]

The 100mm is about a normal lens for 2x3. The 80mm is a slightly wide angle lens. Lots of the older 2x3 cameras came with a 101 or 103 mm lens. Usually the wider lenses were 65 or 75mm. The two you listed would be a good starter kit for 2x3.

 

[Dan Fromm]

The fast Tessar -- f/2.8 is very fast for a Tessar -- rule of thumb is that the lens covers 110% of its focal length. In that form it is usually invoked for f/3.5 and f/4.5 Tessar. The f/2.8 probably covers less.

80 mm is normal for 6x6. There are 6x6 roll holders for 2x3 Graphics.

Not all 80 mm lenses can be used as wide angle lenses on 2x3. If you want an 80 that covers 2x3, look for a Wide Field Ektar, Cooke Ser. VIIb (likely very expensive), or f/6.8 or f/9 Aristostigmat. The Tessar you're offered would be a bad choice unless you want to shoot 6x6.

 

[guy1966]

The diagonal of the RH series Graflex holders are RH-8: 96mm
RH-10: 88mm
RH-12: 78mm
The 80mm Tessar might (just might) cover the RH-10 which is 6x7.