Shutter for Wollensak lens?

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

Greetings all,
I have been lurking on this board for a few months, it is very informative!
I am an artist in Norfolk working with large format equipment. I make contact prints with 5x4/5x7/whole plate and 8x10. I also enlarge medium format 6x6.

Bit confused about finding out what shutter will fit this lens
Wollensak 9 1/2"/4,5 Velostigmat Series II
This is the one with soft-diffuse levels.
Will it fit an Ilex No. 4? I looked at Camera Eccentric but couldn't work it out...

Many thanks
Anton

 

[Dan Fromm]

Your best bet is to send the lens to SKGrimes and ask for advice and an estimate.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

if you have the flange for it, what's the diameter of the threads of the barrel that go into the flange? That will give you a rough idea what size shutter it needs. Most likely it would take an Ilex or Betax #4. It may also fit into a large Alphax, but these are harder to come by. I have a 12" Velostigmat F6.3 that goes into a large Alphax (I don't know they have numbers to them, but it may also be a #4 size).

 

[jp80874]

Tim Sharkey www.lensn2shutter.com put a Wollensak 10 ¾” (273mm) f6.8 Graphic Raptar Wide Field lens into a Pi-Alphax (Wollensak) shutter for me. You might go to his website and contact him for information or the work.

John Powers

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Unfortunately I think that f4.5 glass is going to require a bigger shutter than a pi-alphax. Would be nice though if it does work out.

 

[jp80874]

Unfortunately I think that f4.5 glass is going to require a bigger shutter than a pi-alphax. Would be nice though if it does work out.

Sorry. I didn't mean that specific shutter would do the job. I meant Tim had the knowledge to pick the right shutter and install it. Earlier I asked Tim if a 9 1/2" f4.5 Wolley would cover my 7x17. He had the specs and steered me away from that lens.

John

 

[JLP]

Based on what Tim has done/are doing to a couple of my lenses i think the only #4 this Wolly will fit in and still keep it's speed will be a #4 Compound if you can find one. If going for Alphax or Ilex i think you will need a #5


jan

 

[Robert Oliver]

FYI... My 8 1/4" velostigmat II goes in a Betax #4....

Robert

 

[athanasius80]

My 9 1/2" Velostigmat II is in an Optimo, I'll have to pull it out and compare it to a Betax, but it Might fit in a No. 4.

I'll check and follow up.

 

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

shutter

Dear all,
this is really helpful thanks.
A

 

[Harrigan]

Most Wollensak lenses are a direct fit into their shutters and there shouldn't be a need to send it out to have special mounted. Even some of their process lenses thread right into their shutters but not all of them. The lens will probably fit a no4 betax or no4 alphax shutter but do check before you buy one.

 

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

Ilex?

Thanks,
is an Ilex No. 4 the same size as a Betax/alphax No. 4 shutter? :confused:

 

[JLP]

The #4 Betax is the same size as a #4 Alphax, Alphax shutters being the newer and more modern of the two. The Ilex #4 has a different thread size and a slighly larger opening.
More information here: http://lensn2shutter.com/lensn2shutter.html


jan

 

[Mark Sawyer]

Bear in mind that some of these lenses were also made for Studio shutters, which have a completely different thread arrangement (the lens is famale and the shutter male). Those won't fit into a Betax/Alphax.

 

[Charles Webb]

A comment on the Velostigmat, I have owned (still do )
a bunch of different focal lengths. I have used them for over 50 years, and are very happy with their tack sharpness. Even wide open they in my mind don't qualify as "soft focus". Wollensak had their Varito which is in my mind excellent. For an idea of what it can do see todays gallery and Jim Galli's flower portrait. There are several other lenses that Wollensak offered as soft focus, Vesta Etc. I personally would not be happy using one of my Velostigmats without the diffusion ring to do true "soft focus" work. Just my experience.

Charlie...........................................

 

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

portrait lens

Thanks Charlie,

I have looked at Jim Galli's fotos with soft focus, etc. and very beautiful they are too. It is really interesting to see the comparisons. What lens (old) would you recommend for portraits for whole plate size? With a soft focus option? In a lens shutter if possible.
I have taken note of your comments regarding other Wollensak lenses, Varito, etc.

Anton

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I've got a Seneca (aka Wollensak Vesta) in studio shutter sized for whole plate. Beautiful lens. I've got a few portraits in my gallery here done with it if you'd like to see examples.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

flying camera fotos

They are extremely beautiful, thanks, and inspiring too. I'll keep a look out for a similar lens,
Anton