Kodak 103mm ƒ2.8 Printing Ektar, What was it used for?

[Zathras]

I have one of these lenses that I got a few years back with some other stuff. It is a big heavy lens, obviously very expensive when it was new. What was this lens designed for? Here is a link to one on ebay right now, not my lens, but it shows what it looks like. http://www.ebay.com/itm/103MM-F2-8-...472?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed51c3610 Anybody out there know what this is?

Thanks,

Mike Sullivan

 

[Ian Grant]

It's an enlarging lens, unfortunately probably worth nothing like the Ebay seller is asking. It's not particularly special although it may have been when made and was possible for a roll-head printer, a commercial D&P black and white semi automatic print station.

Ian

 

[ic-racer]

Old enlarging lenses don't age well. The elements get scratched and foggy. Some can be cleaned and some are permanently damaged and are worthless.

 

[Zathras]

The one I have is pristine. I also have regular Kodak Enlarging Ektars, which are very good lenses, that are nowhere as massive as this lens. It easily weighs as much as my 7½" Kodak Enlarging Ektanon, and uses the same mounting flange. My 100mm ƒ4.5 Enlarging lens is tiny compared to this thing. Whatever it's for, I'm sure it was quite expensive when it was made back in 1969.

Thanks for the answers.

 

[ic-racer]

You should let us know how it compares to your other 100mm enlarging lens.

 

[Rick A]

I think it's a process lens for copy work, not an enlarging lens.

 

[jjphoto]

I'm sure some one knows what this lens is ACTUALLY meant for, and I'm sure we'll eventually find out, but in the mean time my guess is that it's for Cine printing, just like the range of Printing Nikkors which are also F2.8 lenses.

Enlarging lenses of this focal length are not this fast, nor are process lenses, which are typically very slow.

It's also interesting that Kodak called it a 'Printing', not 'Enlarging', Ektar. That's why I don't think it has anything to do with enlarging. Kodak called enlarging lenses 'Projection' lenses prior to about 1948.

On the subject of enlarging lenses degrading or aging badly, my 1946 'Projection Ektar' 4.5/75 is just about pristine and is a beautiful lens to use (albeit as a taking lens on digital). Enlarging lenses certainly can age badly but no more so than any other lens would if used and stored in the same dark and damp environment. Not all enlarging lenses are stored badly.

 

[Ian Grant]

Kodak's Roll head printers aren't called enlargers, they were fixed focus and faster lenses were often used to cut exposure times ro increase throughput.

Ian

 

[mdarnton]

If you sense some frustration from Ian there it's because he's already answered the question twice now, and no one's listening.

 

[ic-racer]

Kodak Color Printing Ektar /4.5, 2in., 63mm, 3in., 87mm, 93mm, 96mm, 100mm, 103mm, 113mm, 125mm, 127mm, etc. These 5-element Heliar type lenses, were used in Kodak photofinishing equipment. This type of lens was produced in an amazing plethora of similar focal lengths, including 63, 87, 93, 96, 100, 103, 113, 125, 127, and others. These lenses were at times marketed as Kodak Enlarging Ektars.

----http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Kodak_lenses

 

[jjphoto]

----http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Kodak_lenses

Those are different lenses, all F4.5 or similar, and the F2.8 Printing Ektar we are talking about here is not listed above either (because it's a different lens).

See this listing from a lab selling off surplus gear;

http://www.wrslabs.com/surplus1/labequip2004.html

The 2.8/103 is listed there with the equipment that it is used with, an Optical Printer for cine film. See the 'Kodak Ektar 103mm f2.8 printing lens' listed under section 'Optical Printing' and referred to being used with the Acme Model 103 (optical printer)

The Acme Model 103 Optical Printer (referred to above) can be seen here (on page 330):

https://books.google.com.au/books?i...◦Producers Service Co. Acme Model 103&f=false

Looks like a cine lens to me, not a commercial printing/enlarging lens. I'm happy to be proven wrong and it would be nice to see some more info about this lens.

 

[ic-racer]

Good pickup!

 

[Zathras]

Those are different lenses, all F4.5 or similar, and the F2.8 Printing Ektar we are talking about here is not listed above either (because it's a different lens).

See this listing from a lab selling off surplus gear;

http://www.wrslabs.com/surplus1/labequip2004.html

The 2.8/103 is listed there with the equipment that it is used with, an Optical Printer for cine film. See the 'Kodak Ektar 103mm f2.8 printing lens' listed under section 'Optical Printing' and referred to being used with the Acme Model 103 (optical printer)

The Acme Model 103 Optical Printer (referred to above) can be seen here (on page 330):

https://books.google.com.au/books?i...◦Producers Service Co. Acme Model 103&f=false

Looks like a cine lens to me, not a commercial printing/enlarging lens. I'm happy to be proven wrong and it would be nice to see some more info about this lens.

Well, one of these days, I'll have to put it on the D2 and see what happens when I try to enlarge a neg with it. Thanks to all who answered.

 

[jjphoto]

Good pickup!..

Thanks.

Well, one of these days, I'll have to put it on the D2 and see what happens when I try to enlarge a neg with it. Thanks to all who answered.

It would be nice to find some Kodak specs on this lens but I'd suggest it's intended for 1:1 or similar magnifications, similar to the Apochromatic Printing Nikkors which are designed for cine optical printing of cine films. The Kodak may not perform very well at other magnifications so take that into consideration when testing it. It's probably a very high end lens and worth quite a bit in nice condition. Good luck with it.