Hoseman 65mm Lens Versions

I'm interested in a Horseman 65mm f/7 lens for my 6x9 camera and I see on eBay that there are at least 3 different versions:


152

and


148

and


152

What is the difference between these lenses? Which one is the best optically?

Thanks!

Lensboard with the black wrinkle finish uses an infinity stop farther toward the front of the camera. In fact, it shares the infinity stop with the 75mm. So you need to make sure your 75mm and 65mm lenses both have the same lensboard.

There is also a version with the solenoid permanently mounted on the lensboard for the ER-1 camera.

ic-racer said:

Lensboard with the black wrinkle finish uses an infinity stop farther toward the front of the camera. In fact, it shares the infinity stop with the 75mm. So you need to make sure your 75mm and 65mm lenses both have the same lensboard.

There is also a version with the solenoid permanently mounted on the lensboard for the ER-1 camera.
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Thanks!

Which version is the best optically?

Lens/shutter types
As you noticed there exist several versions of the 65mm lens; they are all f7, but there is an older version with a smaller rear group and a image circle of 148mm and a newer one with a larger rear group and an image circle of 152 mm; both versions are single coated. I own both versions but unfortunately both are damaged, so I cannot tell you if there is a real world difference in image quality between both lenses, but I would highly doubt it. If I had to choose between the two and both were the same price, I would go for the newer one because of the larger coverage.

The ER version: the glass of the ER version is identical to that of the later f7 version (152 mm image circle), but is multi-coated. I have never owned or used the ER version of this specific lens, but going from my experience with other lenses in the Horseman line-up, there is little or no difference to be expected between the single and multicoated versions in practical use. The big plus of the ER lenses however is that their shutter can be fired with a normal screw-in type cable release. The older (single coated) versions of the lenses (like the ones pictured by you) require a special type of cable release that can be difficult to find if you don't own it yet. Other than that you probably cannot go wrong with the older versions of this lens.

board types
The older version with the "hammertone" finish board (both 75mm and 65mm) is for the pre VH-R models. They can be used on the VH-R but the infinity stop position will be off. Also, as the older boards are not as deeply recessed as the newer ones, you will probably loose a bit of movement with the 65mm on the VH/VH-R.
Therefore the correct board for the VH/VH-R would be the one with the wrinkle finish.

Sometimes you get lucky and the "conventional cable release" adapter is in the cable release holder on the lensboard. In which case you can remove it and use it for all your other Horseman lenses too.