question about this lens and it's size

JMC1969

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The Story (or skip)

It was on a old Federal enlarger that was given to me about twenty years ago and I used it as a lamp. I have since brought it to work, where we use it as a lamp. Today I was sitting next to it and looked over and thought, "I wonder what size that thing is?"


Question:
So it is a Federal anastigmat f 6.3 - 3.5" (approx. 90mm, I think) the lens board it is on measures 2 5/8"x 2 5/8" to give you an idea of how small this is. The diameter of the whole thing including the housing is about 1 9/16". So is this too small of a lens to be used on a 4x5 even though it is a 90mm. I have a recessed Toyo board and I have a Prontor #0 and #1 could I make anything work here?

It reads 3.5" E.F. not sure what E.F. means. So much to learn, so much to learn.
 

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Konical

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Good Afternoon,

The lens probably would not cover a 4 x 5 negative. The lack of a shutter would, in any case, make it difficult to work with in ordinary lighting conditions.The exception would be in close-up or copy work when the camera bellows is extended well beyond "normal" and exposures may be several seconds or more.

Konical
 

Photo Engineer

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In the old literature, E. F. meant Effective Focal, whatever that may mean here which is 88.9 mm or about 90 mm as you say. I had an old Federal enlarger when I was a teen. The lens mounted on a barrel that screwed in and out moving it up and down to focus.

PE
 

John Kasaian

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Sep 24, 2002
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In a dark(er) room, hold the lens against a light colored wall and pointed toward a bright sunlit window. Move the lens slowly away from the wall until the image projected onto the wall is in focus (about 3" I'd guess) The size of the projected image is what I'd expect to cover on a sheet of film.
 
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