Ilex Calumet Caltar 12" 305mm F/6.3

[campy51]

Is this lens worth buying to use on a Kodak 2D 5x7 for $170?

 

[BrianShaw]

That’s a tough question to answer without knowing more about the lens and shutter. Both are elderly but that isn’t necessarily a problem. Both were high quality and if in good condition will be quite usable on a 5x7 camera. It’s a “knock-off” of a classic Kodak Commercial Ektar. The price seems reasonable and, interestingly, is exactly how much Calumet sold it for originally, many decades ago. But it all depends on condition and if you might need to further invest in shutter overhaul or Series 8 filters. Those the costs can add up fast.

 

[Dan Fromm]

What does the camera on which you want to use the lens have to do with anything?

The 12"/6.3 Caltar is, if internet scuttlebutt can be believed, a clone of the 12"/6.3 Ektar, a fine lens. I haven't looked for one for ages, but back when $170 would have been an amazingly low price. If the Caltar and its shutter are in good order and I wanted a normal lens for 8x10 I'd get it.

 

[Rick A]

If the glass is clean and no fungus or scratches and the shutter is accurate then the short answer is yes, it would be a great lens for a 5x7.

 

[MarkS]

Indeed. These were made in the 1970s. I used to use the 14-3/4" version on the job- with an 8x10 camera. Once we had to make an 8' square color print from a negative made with that Ilex lens- so 12x magnification. The resulting print was quite sharp- the lens was more than up to the task.
That price is a bargain, assuming clean glass and a working shutter.

 

[campy51]

I ended up getting it for $160 plus shipping. Anyway will this also work on a Crown Graphic?

 

[Rick A]

I ended up getting it for $160 plus shipping. Anyway will this also work on a Crown Graphic?

If you can mount it on a lensboard, yes, though you may need a top hat lensboard. Bellows draw is close, maybe just 12 inches of draw.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I ended up getting it for $160 plus shipping. Anyway will this also work on a Crown Graphic?

To expand a little on Rick's reply in post #7 above, just barely. The 4x5 Crown Graphic's maximum extension is 12.5", the lens' flange-to-film distance at infinity will be around 12". The bellows will be stretched a bit towards infinity and focusing on anything reasonably close will be impossible. There were no top hat boards for Graphics, but nowadays with 3-D printing it might be possible to make one.

 

[nosmok]

Ilex lenses have always punched above their weight, in my experience. Good luck!

 

[campy51]

Does any know what size retaining ring it takes and know where I might find one?

 

[BrianShaw]

There was a recent thread on that topic. Either Photrio or Large Format Photography Forum. Can’t remember which. It had discussions of the various sizes as well as where the poster found one. I’m sure that you can hunt it down. The thread title was a bit abstract, something like “tips on how to buy a retaining ring”

 

[BrianShaw]

Found it, but might not be as useful as I thought since the site wher the flanges came from doesn’t seem to be in the thread. I looked at the site but must not have bookmarked it. Sorry. Perhaps reaching out to the thread starter would be productive.

How to Mount View Camera Lenses to Lensboards

I recently ordered a lens mounting flange from a vendor and had to return it due to being the wrong size for my lens, so am posting this to help others avoid the expensive ship it three times syndrome. Comments very welcome. 1. Find a vendor that supplies lens mounting flanges for view...

www.largeformatphotography.info

EDIT: the source was SK Grimes.

 

[campy51]

Found it, but might not be as useful as I thought since the site wher the flanges came from doesn’t seem to be in the thread. I looked at the site but must not have bookmarked it. Sorry. Perhaps reaching out to the thread starter would be productive.

How to Mount View Camera Lenses to Lensboards

I recently ordered a lens mounting flange from a vendor and had to return it due to being the wrong size for my lens, so am posting this to help others avoid the expensive ship it three times syndrome. Comments very welcome. 1. Find a vendor that supplies lens mounting flanges for view...

www.largeformatphotography.info

EDIT: the source was SK Grimes.

I checked out SK Grimes and it's $55. Looking for something cheap. I wonder if a plastic ring that may have a different pitch might work. The plastic will form it's without damaging the lens.

 

[Rick A]

Spend the money with Grimes, it's money well spent. I purchased a Commercial Ektar without a flange, bought one from Grimes and use the daylights outta that lens. It's worth the price.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

I remember reading about this series of lenses by some of those involved in their design. As I recall, the that lens is a Tessar design, which is very sharp. It should work fine for 5x7.

In the same thread, if there was a questionable lens, it was the 14 3/4 referred to above, according to the conversation. But, even that lens gets the positive review in this thread.

 

[bdial]

I checked out SK Grimes and it's $55. Looking for something cheap. I wonder if a plastic ring that may have a different pitch might work. The plastic will form it's without damaging the lens.

That may work, if you can find one. Another time honored technique is to make a wooden lens board with a hole just big enough for the shutter to thread into.
Or there's always gaffer's tape.

 

[campy51]

A fellow member is sending me one.
Thanks everybody

 

[campy51]

I want to clean some haze on front element. Does the front ring just unscrew? Mine is very tight and didn't want to go further without checking.

 

[campy51]

Never mind I got it.