Is my Graflex Super D lens radioactive? Any recommendations for an alternative lens?

njrfoto · Jan 14, 2016

Hi all

I have just brought a Graflex Super D from Igor Cameras in the states, and just after I completed the purchase a friend of mine pushed me on a link regarding old equipment and radioactive elements on some lenses...

This was only yesterday, and have since been doing some research but - as always on the internet - opinion is divided.

The lens coming with my Graflex is a Kodak Ektar 190/5.6 - unfortunately don't know the year/serial as of yet - and I have read that Kodak Ektar lenses are notoriously recognised for the 'radioactive lens' name. As far as Ive found so far, the Kodak Ektar 190/5.6 HAS NOT been listed online as a 'hot' lenses but short of buying a Geiger counter/meter and checking for myself when the camera arrives with me in the UK how can I know?

I am concerned about the safety of my family, me for being in such close proximity to the lens for lengthy periods of time and potentially my subjects/sitter who could be within feet of the lens itself...

Does anyone know of any newer, modern portraiture lenses for the Graflex 4x5 super D that are out there? Un-radiated alternatives would be great!

Im sure this has been a posted topic on these forums over the years but if anyone could give me some info and help me understand what, or if I need to be concerned about that would be fantastic.

Cheers

Nathan

Ian Grant · Jan 14, 2016

First I've heard about standard Ektars being radioactive, it's fast lenses using special glass. Even then the level is very low and doesn't cause problems.

ian

Ian Grant · Jan 14, 2016

The 190mm (7½") f4.5 Ektar is a basic Tessar type lens it's the coated version of the earlier Anastigmat, your confusing it with the Aero-Ektars which do have radioactive glass, but this was used in many lenses like the faster Pentax Super Takumar standard lenses.

Ian

Dan Fromm · Jan 14, 2016

Nathan, what Ian said. Your lens isn't radioactive.

See this http://home.earthlink.net/~michaelbriggs/aeroektar/aeroektar.html to get a better understanding of the risks of owning an Aero Ektar. They're quite small.

njrfoto · Jan 14, 2016

ok - so its just the Aero Ektars is it?

Mine coming is the 190mm f5.5 (pictured) - so this lens should be safe?

njrfoto · Jan 14, 2016

Dan Fromm said:
Nathan, what Ian said. Your lens isn't radioactive.

See this http://home.earthlink.net/~michaelbriggs/aeroektar/aeroektar.html to get a better understanding of the risks of owning an Aero Ektar. They're quite small.

Thank you for that link - i did actually come across this page and skim it last night but I was specifically looking for info on my 190mm lens, and not so much looking for Aero-Ektar info. Will be giving this a good read today though

bdial · Jan 14, 2016

The lens is safe.

Even if it was radioactive, it would still be safe.

It looks to be in very good condition, go make some pictures with it.

Gerald C Koch · Jan 14, 2016

You receive more radiation just from the background than you would ever get from a "radioactive" lens. Then there is the potassium 40 in our food. Don't worry be happy.

Drew Bedo · Jan 14, 2016

Lenses with some radioactivity were made with Thorium or Lanthanum (as in the "APO Lanthars"). These elements were incorporated into the glass making process to inhance clarity and to manipulate the refractive index of the glass.

If your lens is in fact radioactive, it will be only very slightly so. When stored away with your other camera equipment it won/t affect even your high speed B&W film or your family. When used on a view camera, it won't pose a hazard to your health or eye sight.

Glass that is exposed to gamma radiation for any appreciable length of time shows a distinct yellow cast .If elements of this lens are radioactive any Geiger counter will show it immediately. This equipment may be available to you theough a university or trough your local security authorities.

Radioactive lens elements have been known for 70 or 80 years. Health effects for every-day professional users are not an issue that I have ever heard of.

If you have continued anxiety about this, get another lens. if it were me, I'd use it and move on to do great photography.

njrfoto · Jan 14, 2016

phew - thanks for all your careful and thoughtful feedback guys! much appreciated

EdSawyer · Jan 14, 2016

I have that same camera and lens, as mentioned the lens is not radioactive. It's a nice lens, and a great camera in general. I enjoy mine a lot though lately I am being seduced by the Arca Reflex even more.

shutterfinger · Jan 14, 2016

IF the lens pictured is the one you purchased then it was made in 1948, if not use the camerosity table at http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/lenses.html#EktarLenses to date it.
The camera serial number is on the view door behind the view hood.

DREW WILEY · Jan 14, 2016

Not enough radioactivity to even penetrate the skin, so I've been told.

summicron1 · Jan 14, 2016

if in doubt, take it to your local college physics department. They probably have some version of a geiger counter that can test it.

Sirius Glass · Jan 14, 2016

The lens is highly unlikely to be radio active. Even if it were the radiation level would be so much lower than your background radiation that it would not be a threat.

njrfoto · Jan 15, 2016

Thank you all for the insightful info and helpful feedback one and all! My fears and ignorance have been subdued

Worker 11811 · Feb 1, 2016

The only time I am concerned about lenses being radioactive is when I'm shopping for cameras at flea markets and garage sales, etc.

It's a great way to bargain the price down.

ransel · Feb 14, 2016

Nathan, if you do decide to try other lenses, just for fun, know that you will not be able to use any lens of shorter focal length than 190mm unless you are doing close-up or portrait work, as the camera design will not allow a lens of shorter focal length to focus at infinity (I have the 4X5 Series D model). So have fun with other 190mm lenses, or 210mm lenses, 240mm, etc.

Alan Gales · Feb 14, 2016

Just play this over and over again and don't worry about the lens.

Bill Burk · Feb 14, 2016

I wouldn't doubt the radioactivity of lenses which have radioactive glass is too low to cause concern for human health purposes.

But could they have enough to set off false alarms at an airport?

Soeren · Feb 17, 2016

The radiation will be Alfa or maybe Beta which travels only a short distance and is easily stopped by paper (alfa) or your groundglass (Beta) just don't eat the lens elements.

Is my Graflex Super D lens radioactive? Any recommendations for an alternative lens?

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