Opinions on two lenses

[Doc W]

I have a chance to buy one or all of these lenses:

12" f/9 red dot Goerz Apo Artar in a Compur shutter
I understand that this lens barely covers 8x10, however, I have heard that it has great rendition so I was thinking of using it as a portrait lens for 8x10 (portraits not requiring movements all that much). I don't know yet how much the buyer wants.

90mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon in a Copal shutter
Right now, I have a f/8 90mm Super Angulon and it is just too dark in a lot of situations, so I am attracted by the large aperture of this lens, but snooping around on the web, I find that it has a bad reputation for quality and that the elements can become separated. The seller wants $300 USD.


300mm f/5.6 Rodenstock Sironar-N in a Copal shutter
My main 8x10 lens is a 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar, which I really like, but I would like something a tad wider and in a modern shutter. No price on this one yet

If I don't buy these, I might be listing them here on APUG. The seller (friend of a friend) is getting out of LF and has a lot of stuff to sell, including Sinar equipment. I am helping him organize the material, most of which is in superb condition.

To the admins: this isn't exactly an ad, but it may turn into one down the line. If you think this posting should go into the "For Sale" category, please go ahead, but for the most part, I am at present just interested in getting feedback on these three lenses.

 

[Ian Grant]

Double check if it's the Grandagon or the Grandagon N, the N is an excellent lens, the other isn't bad but you might want to test it first, The other 2 lenses are excellent.

Ian

 

[shutterfinger]

Information on the 14" Ektar is on page 62. http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kodak_4.html

 

[Monday317]

I have a chance to buy one or all of these lenses:

12" f/9 red dot Goerz Apo Artar in a Compur shutter
I understand that this lens barely covers 8x10, however, I have heard that it has great rendition so I was thinking of using it as a portrait lens for 8x10 (portraits not requiring movements all that much). I don't know yet how much the buyer wants.

A very classic old chunk of glass that renders images beautifully! It will cover an 8 x 10 neg OK stopped down to f/16 or smaller, but at f/9 or 11, you may have some falloff at the corners. Also, stopped down, you will lose the facial isolation of the wider apertures. That said, being an Old School Shutterbug, IMHO, this would be a lens worth having and investigating. For instance, if the falloff (and possibly focus loss) at the corners were objectionable, you might move your subjects back some to keep them in the optimal area of the neg. Or consider a 5 x 7 adapter to eliminate the coverage problem altogether. Of course, you could use the "defects" in your compositions as an artistic "signature"...

90mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon in a Copal shutter
Right now, I have a f/8 90mm Super Angulon and it is just too dark in a lot of situations, so I am attracted by the large aperture of this lens, but snooping around on the web, I find that it has a bad reputation for quality and that the elements can become separated. The seller wants $300 USD.

No knowledge of this lens. Your Angulon is the preferred lens for making a Holgagon, which has given excellent results from what I see online. Never had troubles with any Rodenstocks I've used in the past.

300mm f/5.6 Rodenstock Sironar-N in a Copal shutter
My main 8x10 lens is a 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar, which I really like, but I would like something a tad wider and in a modern shutter. No price on this one yet.

If it works don't fix it: beware GAS-related haste!

Them's an old pfhahrt's 2¢ USD; hope they are of use and your choices satisfy. Good luck, amigo!

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Only hold GAS in long enough so you can take care of it when those who might be offended (wife, husband, SO) can't witness it.

 

[Doc W]

A very classic old chunk of glass that renders images beautifully! It will cover an 8 x 10 neg OK stopped down to f/16 or smaller, but at f/9 or 11, you may have some falloff at the corners. Also, stopped down, you will lose the facial isolation of the wider apertures. That said, being an Old School Shutterbug, IMHO, this would be a lens worth having and investigating. For instance, if the falloff (and possibly focus loss) at the corners were objectionable, you might move your subjects back some to keep them in the optimal area of the neg. Or consider a 5 x 7 adapter to eliminate the coverage problem altogether. Of course, you could use the "defects" in your compositions as an artistic "signature"...

I was thinking of using this as a lens for 5x7 colour portraits, but then I sobered up and remembered that there is no more 5x7 colour film! I still may pick up this lens and experiment with it, as you suggested. Thanks for the input.

 

[Doc W]

Double check if it's the Grandagon or the Grandagon N, the N is an excellent lens, the other isn't bad but you might want to test it first, The other 2 lenses are excellent.

Ian

Ian, it is indeed a Grandagon N, with a green stripe no less! Thanks for the info.

 

[Monday317]

Only hold GAS in long enough so you can take care of it when those who might be offended (wife, husband, SO) can't witness it.

Depends. Holds a lot of filters & film rolls if you get 'em a size bigger; wife never checks... :munch:

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Depends. Holds a lot of filters & film rolls if you get 'em a size bigger; wife never checks... :munch:

Very sorry to learn that.

 

[Doc W]

FOLLOW-UP

I am seriously thinking of the Goerz. What would be a reasonable offer, or at least a starting point for negotiations? I can't seem to find a lot of online transactions involving this lens. It will need a CLA, btw.

 

[pgomena]

If you're using the 12" Goerz in a studio portrait session, you're likely to be extending the bellows enough to mitigate the corner issues. If you already have a 14", however, that would seem to be an excellent portrait length.