There is a lot of stuff online that is rehashed, mostly incomplete, and much that is slightly twisted. Still, there is some good data:
http://www.graflex.org/lenses/lens-spec.html is a good summary of 'contemporary' lenses.
There simply is NOT the kind of data laying about that you seek, for a couple reasons.
First, because the infatuation ( or infection ) with specs and numbers is a fairly recent phenomena which tries to apply a rigour to LF lenses that was never an issue in 'the golden age' -- nor relevent today !
Secondly, nearly all lenses made since the end of WW2 have been of three general designs: Plasmat, Biogon, or Artar. And each of the three designs fulfill one of the three general needs of and LF shooters kitbag. And in any given era, the manufacturerers have made virtually identical lenses, all of the highest quality, reflecting developments in cement, coating technology and glass availability. All lenses made in 1965, for instance, will be similar; all lenses made in 1985 will be similar, and made in 2005: similar.
Plasmats ( Symar, Sironar, Nikkor W, Fuji W ) are all derived from Rudolph's evolution of the Dagor. Besides being a fine general purpose lens ( a bit like a Jaguar that can carry sheets of drywall ), the Plasmat lends itself to efficient manufacture, AND subtle tweaking for specific purposes. Since we are unlikely to press the lenses' performance in technical areas ( common to the pre-digital era ! )
it's more than adequate to choose a normal lens from the Plasmat category and go take pictures. Since the patent of the original lens expired LONG ago, everyone has had free access to develop the design as needed; the technology has always been open to all designers, and each era has brought subtle changes.
Biogons are all derived from the ground breaking design of Bertele (Zeiss / Wild) immediately after WW2. Bertele based the Biogon upon a revolutionary mapping lens he made for Wild, which was inspired by a patent by Rossinov. Unpatentable by Zeiss, the Biogon was copied by Schneider ( Super Angulon ) and then evolved over the decades, with evolutionary improvements by Nikon, Rodenstock, and Fuji.
The Artar is the oldest of the common designs, dating from the 1920s. An apochromatic, flat field design by Goerz's Zoschke, it has been made by every lensmaker on the planet, perfected long ago, and while tweaked for sepcific applications, more than suitably brilliant for general picture making. Whether from Goerz, Schneider, Rodenstock, Nikon, Wollensack, Wray... anybody... they are all the same, and lovely lenses.
There are some lenses that don't fit into this pattern: Kodak's Commercial series of super-developed tessars and wide field gauss designs are probably the products of the last great push in large format deisgn, in the early days of WW2, and manufactured until the beginning of the LF demise in the 1960s.
In the old days ( Gosh, I hate saying that ) one usually took a wide lens and a long lens and went out to work.
For instance, a professional building an 8x10 outfit an American would have chosen a Goerz Dagor and and Artar, or a Kodak WF Ektar and Commercial Ektar, or a Schneider Symar, with either the Artar or Ektar type for the longer than normal lens.
Today, though, we can ransack the previous century for good lenses. Depending upon the format, and you technical needs, the choice will be safe, for most lenses are the same.
if you have, however, an aesthetic choice, the issue changes. Nearly all post WW2 lenses were designed for 'technical neutrality', they produce an image neither too hot or cold, hard nor soft, and are seen by some as boring. Many feel they are simply "commercial", and it is impossible to use any amount of craftsmanship to smooth the 'institutional' look of their images.
Most lenses made before WW2 are product of designer's whims, and manufacturers' limitations, and as a result, more often interesting. There will be magnificent choices availble to you in Wales for just over the border some of the finest lenses made in the history of photography were made. Ross, Dallmeyer, Aldis, Cooke, Wray, Watson... lenses of every category and application can be found. Dig up a pre WW2 or 1950's BJP annual, and look over the advertisements. Find a doddering old photographer and invest some Pub time.... you have a trove at your feet !
good luck, and share your results
d
