Kodak Ektar 14" filter size

[Curt]

Does anyone with a 14" Commercial Ektar know what the front filter size is? I have a Series VIII adapter that takes Series 9 filters, the adapter is a Tiffen 77 SS 9 Adapter in two part that holds the Series 9 filters but I would like to use standard filters in the lens. I have an Orange, 85B, and a 25 Red 1 in Series 9.
I measured and it appears to be 72mm. Just measuring can be hit or miss though. I got the lens in mint condition with three filters and a filter holder and an original 14" Kodak Ektar wooden box, front and rear metal with felt lined lens caps and a #5 Universal Shutter made for Eastman Kodak by Ilex that was been CLA before listing for $600.00. Sounds like a lot of money but when it came I was glad made an offer. It was all listed for $750.00. I know that they can go for as little as $200.00 but not these days, they seem to be around $500.00 for just the 12" Ektars. This lens has no marks, it was use very gently and kept in the wood box. I am adding it to my 8" and 10" Commercial Ektars. This one came with a mounting flange that was bolted to a metal lens board. The owner didn't know what the board fit. I measured it and then got out my C1 and it fit right on it. It was for a Calumet C1 8x10 view camera apparent. I don't know if the Deardorf boards are the same.

 

[pelerin]

Hi,
I read your post and, in the spirit of curiosity, dragged out my example. A Tiffen 72mm CPL threads in nicely so I think you measurments must be accurate.

As to the value of the lens I think you're fine. Really mint examples of anything go for a premium over the market median, (and I doubt 200$ buys a "mint" 14" CE). It seems to me that Ektars can be seen as something of a bargain, at least when compared to late/mint/coated Dagors.

Here's a shootout I would love to see: 14" CE, 14" Kern Dagor, 14" Trigor, & a clean 14" AO Dagor. Anyone interested? I would happily provide the film and the labor to soup it for the B+W portion of the proceedings.
Celac.

Does anyone with a 14" Commercial Ektar know what the front filter size is? I have a Series VIII adapter that takes Series 9 filters, the adapter is a Tiffen 77 SS 9 Adapter in two part that holds the Series 9 filters but I would like to use standard filters in the lens. I have an Orange, 85B, and a 25 Red 1 in Series 9.
I measured and it appears to be 72mm. Just measuring can be hit or miss though. I got the lens in mint condition with three filters and a filter holder and an original 14" Kodak Ektar wooden box, front and rear metal with felt lined lens caps and a #5 Universal Shutter made for Eastman Kodak by Ilex that was been CLA before listing for $600.00. Sounds like a lot of money but when it came I was glad made an offer. It was all listed for $750.00. I know that they can go for as little as $200.00 but not these days, they seem to be around $500.00 for just the 12" Ektars. This lens has no marks, it was use very gently and kept in the wood box. I am adding it to my 8" and 10" Commercial Ektars. This one came with a mounting flange that was bolted to a metal lens board. The owner didn't know what the board fit. I measured it and then got out my C1 and it fit right on it. It was for a Calumet C1 8x10 view camera apparent. I don't know if the Deardorf boards are the same.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I've seen half that shootout- the 14" CE and the 14" Kern-Dagor. The Kern is contrastier. The CE wins on out-of-focus-areas though- much creamier, and also doesn't do that dreaded "double-image" thing. I'll take the CE and a spare $1000, since I can always boost contrast in processing.

 

[Curt]

I ordered a 72mm filter to recheck my measurement but it looks acurate so far. I will probably get the standard set and a step down for my Schneider Symmar 210 which never had a good set of filters. Now is my excuse to get some and do it right.

 

[Steve Hamley]

My two cents: The Kern Dagor is extremely flare prone and is almost useless pointed into the sun. My experience is with single-coated versions. The 14" Commercial Ektar's contrast can be low compared to modern lenses, but can be boosted in development as TFC points out.

If you want a contrastier lens, get a mint 360mm f:5.6 Caltar-IIN for about the same price. The Copal 3 shutter will be worth most of what you pay for one.

Note that I have several American Gold and or Gold Dot Dagors up to 12" and wouldn't sell them for anything. But I've sold/traded a Kern 14" Gold Dot Dagor and a 14" Kern Trigor, both for flare reasons. Other people love theirs, but I don't want an extremely pricey lens that's unusable (and both were) when pointed into the light.

Steve

 

[Curt]

I have a 16 1/2" Red Dot Artar in a Betax and a barrel and several 12" lenses but because I have an 8 and 10" CE I entended the group with the 14". I had an opportunity to fill the gap and I think it will do fine. I like the shutter too it's smooth and quiet but the entire unit is not light, but then anything in a Betax is not light either.

 

[Ytlas]

I ordered a 72mm filter to recheck my measurement but it looks acurate so far.

I have a 72mm UV filter on my 14" CE.

 

[Curt]

Thanks for note on the filter.