Some time back I picked up a wide angle lens in shutter for my 8x10. Sadly, the lens has fungus or something on the inner elements, but the Betax 3 shutter worked and I was content with that, considering the price.
Fast forward to recent days.
I recently caught the same lens in barrel on Ebay. I bid and won, with the intent of swapping cells and having this lens usable in a shutter. This lens is brass painted black, is uncoated, and the front element rim reads as follows: "Wollensak Velostigmat Wide Angle Series III F9.5 8x10 No.1440xx"
In looking at the auction pic, this appeared to be the same lens, but after receiving it, there are some differences. The one I had previously has serial number 2266xx, and hopefully this can help clarify some differences.
Looking at cammeraeccentric.com, I see this is equivalent to 6.25" (or 158.75 aka 159mm), but can't seem to find much info anywhere else. Any lens wizards out there? If you prefer to lurk in public, feel free to PM me. I will respect your privacy and not use your name in any public discussions.
With a clean lens now in this shutter, I'll make a lensboard for it and if testing goes well, it's off for a CLA before putting in the lens arsenal permenantly.
Questions:
1) Is there a reference that will tell the age of these lenses? I found reference to this lens back in the teens and 20s, but no photos to compare.
2) The lower numbered lens has spanner wrench slots in inner rim where brass meets glass. Higher numbered one doesn't. Assuming higher number means newer lens, does this follow my assumption that this was akin to making a later decision to put a sticker on it saying "This device has no user serviceable parts"? If so, why the difference?
3) I've seen the Wolly books on cammeraeccentric.com, but they don't provide much in the way of specs between the years. Besides this ultimately becoming a coated lens in later years, is there any known reference to the evolution of this lens through the years? It may also help to answer #2.
4) The rear element's brass is thicker on the higher number serial. Both rear pieces fit nicely in barrel, but the thinner one required a bit of effort to get into the shutter. Why? No it isn't cross threaded. Thread difference does not make sense since both fit in barrel easily. Shutter threads cleaned and does not change.
5) On the back of the lens elements, the outer portion of it is painted black. The unpainted inner opening (where the light passes) is larger on the both front and rear elements on the higher serial number. This shows me a change in design. Sound sane? What was the change? Both lenses are F9.5.
Thanks in advance for any wisdom you may be able to share.
Chris
Fast forward to recent days.
I recently caught the same lens in barrel on Ebay. I bid and won, with the intent of swapping cells and having this lens usable in a shutter. This lens is brass painted black, is uncoated, and the front element rim reads as follows: "Wollensak Velostigmat Wide Angle Series III F9.5 8x10 No.1440xx"
In looking at the auction pic, this appeared to be the same lens, but after receiving it, there are some differences. The one I had previously has serial number 2266xx, and hopefully this can help clarify some differences.
Looking at cammeraeccentric.com, I see this is equivalent to 6.25" (or 158.75 aka 159mm), but can't seem to find much info anywhere else. Any lens wizards out there? If you prefer to lurk in public, feel free to PM me. I will respect your privacy and not use your name in any public discussions.
With a clean lens now in this shutter, I'll make a lensboard for it and if testing goes well, it's off for a CLA before putting in the lens arsenal permenantly.
Questions:
1) Is there a reference that will tell the age of these lenses? I found reference to this lens back in the teens and 20s, but no photos to compare.
2) The lower numbered lens has spanner wrench slots in inner rim where brass meets glass. Higher numbered one doesn't. Assuming higher number means newer lens, does this follow my assumption that this was akin to making a later decision to put a sticker on it saying "This device has no user serviceable parts"? If so, why the difference?
3) I've seen the Wolly books on cammeraeccentric.com, but they don't provide much in the way of specs between the years. Besides this ultimately becoming a coated lens in later years, is there any known reference to the evolution of this lens through the years? It may also help to answer #2.
4) The rear element's brass is thicker on the higher number serial. Both rear pieces fit nicely in barrel, but the thinner one required a bit of effort to get into the shutter. Why? No it isn't cross threaded. Thread difference does not make sense since both fit in barrel easily. Shutter threads cleaned and does not change.
5) On the back of the lens elements, the outer portion of it is painted black. The unpainted inner opening (where the light passes) is larger on the both front and rear elements on the higher serial number. This shows me a change in design. Sound sane? What was the change? Both lenses are F9.5.
Thanks in advance for any wisdom you may be able to share.
Chris
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