Old lens and info on them?

[Robert]

The more I look at the choices for LF the more I find things that need to be taken into account. I wouldn't say gotchas but I guess they could be. Are there any websites with info on old lens? Things like what covers what and how big a lens board they need? Reviews on older low costs lens that are good buys?

 

[HuwEvans]

Robert, there are a lot of web resources with the sort of information you are after. But the simplest thing to do is visit Quong-Tuan Luong's Large Format Home Page here, which does a good job of gathering useful links together. Have a look in the 'Lenses' section - you should be able to find what you want.

 

[Robert]

Thanks I'll give it a look.

 

[b.e.wilson]

Best site I know for this sort of info is http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html, http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/ and on the large-format newsgroup. There are a couple very well-informed people there who know large format.

 

[Jim Chinn]

I believe that the Schneider web site has info on all of its older lenses if Schneider lenses are in question.

 

[Jim Chinn]

SK Grimes web site also lists specifications and dimensions of many older lenses and shutters, which can help determine lens board hole size, need for recessed lens board etc.

 

[Robert]

Basically all I'm looking for is I guess a 90mm lens that would be reasonable in price. Fit a press camera and in the future fit a Toyo 45CF. Assuming I go that route. B&W only.


I was basically set to get a german or soviet plate camera but got outbid at the last second. The next day I was given a talking to and convinced that I would do better spending the extra money on a press camera. Better lens,shutter and no need to special order film.

I decided that was the smart thing but my luck has been lousy trying to find one for a reasonable price and conditon.

Wish me luck-)

Thanks

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

largeformatphotography.info has lots of good info on classic lenses as well as links to more info. _View Camera_ magazine has done a three part series on classic lenses, as well as a number of articles on the topic, so you might check that too.

For 4x5", some good standard classic lenses in that focal length range would be the Schneider 90mm Angulon (or for somewhat more money, the later Super Angulon, which will give you more coverage), Kodak 100mm Wide-Field Ektar, and there might be a Goerz Wide-Angle Dagor in about that focal length.

Avoid those Soviet 5x7" cameras unless you want an adaptation project. The Toyo 45CF seems like a great deal, but you can find a Graphic or B&J press camera for even less, if you like that option. www.graflex.org for info on Graflex cameras.

 

[Robert]

The Soviet cameras I was looking at are 9x12cm [I guess 3.5"x4.5"]. They're cheap at less then $40+shipping but they've got limitations. Even so if the film was easy to get I would be willing to get one.

It seems finding a graphic is a bigger chore then I was figuring. A week or so ago somebody put a speedgraphic up on Ebay. Ad read something like

" Len scratched with fungus,ground glass cracked and shutter sort of works" It then went on to list various minor comestic issues. I figured a CLA and later a new lens and ground glass. Well it sold for more then $200. I wouldn't mind paying something like that for one in good conditon but in that condition? I wonder if it's just a seasonal thing. Much more money and I hit the price of a new Toyo.