Lenses in my find of the day

[rwreich]

Hello everyone,

I met a friend of mine this morning because he said he had some darkroom equipment that he wanted to get rid of. There were many items in boxes including:

Kodak Photo Paper (old and likely not usable)
Large Kodak 8x10 grey cards
several tanks for 4x5 sheet film development
plastic and stainless tanks and reels
many enlarger bulbs
safelights
a print drying machine
various negative carriers
three enlarging lenses

I snapped some pictures with my phone in hopes that this wonderful community might be able to help me identify some items.

I already enlarging lenses for 35mm, medium format, and 4x5. I already have a 35mm negative carrier.

The Nikkor 50mm 2.8 enlarging lens: This is definitely of solid metal construction and is better in quality than the one I currently own (I think).

The 80mm lens for medium format: This one feels light in my hands and I already have an EL-Nikkor 80mm, so I may decide to sell this.

The 138mm lens for large format: I know very little about this except that there seem to be 15 or more aperture blades. Any info would be appreciated.

Also, there was some Kodak Pan-X Professional in 120 rolls that expired in 1982. I'm not holding my breath on this one, but when I get a camera that will take it, I'll let you know;-)

Thanks to all for any info you might be able to offer about the identity or value of these items!

- rwreich

 

[rwreich]

oh, I forgot to mention that I am having trouble identifying what format these negative carriers will service. Any ideas?



I'm also pretty sure that this is a 4x5 negative carrier, but I think it's missing a piece of glass since there is a gap between the two contacts:

 

[Fixcinater]

That first unknown carrier looks like 6x7, second one with the black ring looks like 127 format square (think Baby Rollei or Yashica 44).

That Wollensak Raptar has the W in a circle, means it is coated.


Before you toss the old Kodak paper, try using it as a negative in a pinhole or something, the age fog might help reduce inherent contrast.

 

[BrianShaw]

... second one with the black ring looks like 127 format square (think Baby Rollei or Yashica 44).

... AKA superslide.

 

[rwreich]

Thanks for the information. I haven't even gone through the paper yet to see what is available. I know that there are several different times, or at least different kinds of boxes. Most of them are Kodak 8 x 10 in what looks to be fixed grade 2.

I will post more when I can sift through this stuff.

What about the value of the lenses?

 

[Chris Lange]

The 80/4 Rodagon is an -awesome- lens. Hold onto it. I used one for a while at my university before I got a 80/4 Schneider Componon-S and a Nikon 105/5.6 for my darkroom at home.

 

[Klainmeister]

Those lenses are definitely worth keeping.

 

[winger]

The paper can be used for lumen prints, too.

 

[zsas]

Nice gear! Tell us about the paper. Lotta tat old Kodak paper with a little BZT and potassium bromide brings it back to life

 

[bdial]

The second carrier looks like a mounted slide carrier, the third a 4x5 probably a glassless type.
You can test the paper by developing and fixing a piece and only fixing another then compare the two.
I just picked up some ancient Agfa Brovira and it tested just fine.

 

[rwreich]

I was careful not to open the boxes of paper to check quantity, but based on weight, I'd say I have about 150 sheets of 8x10 Kodak Medalist G-2 paper that expired in 1970.

I also found some Agfa Brovira-speed grade 2 paper.

There was a very small quantity of Cibachrome paper in 11x14. This package looked very doubtful.

Also, some Kodabromide paper in 5x7 and some Verigam paper, also in 5x7.

So.... I'm waiting on a wall to be finished and then I can get around to testing.

 

[zsas]

Send those papers over to me and I'll test em kidding, you've a nice haul!

 

[rwreich]

Sure, zsas, I'll just put some loose-leaf in the mail with your name on it;-) Thanks all the same!

Does anyone have any experience turning enlarger lenses into large format camera lensea? (Maybe this is the wrong place to ask that?)