Ilex 90mm lens

Hi there, I’m hoping to use this lens that I was given on my Calumet 4x5. I have 2 questions though. I can see there’s a chip or crack or something in the glass. You can see it in the images here. Is this likely to effect much of my image? Sorry if that’s a silly question, I’ve just never experienced it.

My other question is, due to the recessed board it’s in, the controls are tricky to access and there is no way to attach a shutter release cable. There seems to be a PC port facing out? Does this have something to do with the shutter release? How would I fire the shutter?

Get a Gepe Wide Angle Cable Release Adapter and then you can easily add any cable release to the lens. Don’t buy a copy or similar one, they ain’t all the same.

you can see it at the OmegaBrandess web site.

as for the chip, take a picture with it.

Bob S said:

Get a Gepe Wide Angle Cable Release Adapter and then you can easily add any cable release to the lens. Don’t buy a copy or similar one, they ain’t all the same.

you can see it at the OmegaBrandess web site.

as for the chip, take a picture with it.

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That’s great, thanks Bob, will do.
Haha yeah, good obvious answer, I will take a photo with it!

Here are its specs, note that very short nipple at the end, the cable will bend at that point to get into very tight spots. Copy ones are not that flexible.

If the bellows on your camera compress to less than 90mm you may not need the recessed lens board and can use a flat one. Of course, the amount of front movements you can use will change somewhat.

If you don't need movements, the lens should make infinity on a flat board on a Calumet CC camera. Which one do you have?

Dan Fromm said:

If you don't need movements, the lens should make infinity on a flat board on a Calumet CC camera. Which one do you have?

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I used to have a cc-401, long bellows, and had to use a recessed board. I also had the original cc-400 which didn't need the recessed board. I also used a 90mm Caltar on a B&J 5x7 Commercial view with a 15mm recessed boars which didn't require using the cable adapter. I hated using the 90 with the deep recessed board because it was a PITA to set.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have the CC400 model, so maybe I can use a flat board then?
I managed to use it yesterday, I loosened the ring at the back which allowed me to turn the shutter slightly which enabled me to just fit a shutter release cable in there. But yeah, it was a PITA to use. Waiting for the neg to dry to see the effect of the chip in the glass.

The recessed board may give you more room for movements depending on how compressed your bellows are with a flat board. Don't toss it yet.

Solutions for your cable-release problem: The Gepe extension that Bob mentions is great. You may also be able to find a cloth-covered cable release that is flexible down to the tip that will work. You remove the lens, install the cable release and remount the lens, leaving the cable release permanently attached. I have a Schneider SA 90mm that has bee this way for 25+ years...

I have three or four lenses on Technika recessed boards for use on field cameras. All have dedicated cable releases (or adapters like the Gepe). I set the aperture with the end of the cable release. Shutter speed I can manage with fingers as well as cocking the shutter. This has worked fine for me for years.

As for the chip. If it is indeed a chip and not something you can clean off, do first take a photo with the lens. Find a bright, flarey situation to put the chip to the ultimate test. If there's any flare from the chip at all, you can simply paint in the chip with opaque flat black paint to fix the problem. Often, a chip like this will have little or no effect.

Best,

Doremus

Doremus Scudder said:

Doremus

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Thanks for the advise, yeah this is basically what I’ve done to test it. I have managed to get a shutter release cable in there and tested it. Works fine. As for the chip I can’t see it in the photo I took but will try your suggestion about shooting into some high glare and if it shows up.