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For Sale SOLD: Cooke Series XV Triple Convertible Lens

Trader history for wfw (0)

wfw

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
May 24, 2017
Messages
64
Location
NE Tennessee
Format
Large Format
It's been a long, difficult decision. But now for sale is my Taylor, Taylor & Hobson Cooke Series XV triple convertible lens. This is the original version of the lens, as made famous by Ansel Adams and is not the re-issue still available as new and marked as the XVa.

This lens is in beautiful condition. Optics are gorgeous and very, very clean. There is a hint of separation, appearing as a hairline-thin annulus at the extreme edge of the glass. In fact, it's very difficult to say what it is because it looks like it may just be the edge of the glass itself. There is no discoloration and no balsam as so often appears with separation. So I'm really not sure if it is separation or not. In any case it is so minor as to be inconsequential. So I am not offering any apology or discount for it. But I do want to state up front its existence so there are no surprises. Please understand that I stand behind everything I sell. So if you buy this and are not satisfied when you receive it, I will refund your money, provided that you return the lens to me promptly and exactly as received.

I value open and honest communication, so if you have questions or concerns as we go, I expect to hear from you.
I have been buying and selling on Ebay since 1998 as "wfw" and have a feedback rating there of 100%, hard-earned over the last 23 years. I have been a member of this forum for almost as long.

The Cooke XV is a triple convertible comprised of two elements, one 19 inches and the other 26 1/2 inches and with a combined focal length of 312mm @ ƒ/6.8. It is intended for the 8x10 format, but the individual cells work well for ULF. The 19" cell is useful for 12x20. I do not know the exact coverage, but there seem to be no reasonable limitations on 12x20. The 26 1/2" cell will cover at least as much, of course.The lens is mounted professionally in a very clean, well-working Alphax shutter. Aperture settings for each focal length are marked on the iris adjustment. All speeds appear to work as advertised. The lens is mounted on an original Sinar lens board which is included. If you don't want the Sinar board, I can remove the lens from it. But I won't discount for the board. The original Cooke lens hood, often missing, is included.

There is a dearth of information available regarding past sales of this lens, making it difficult to determine an asking price. It is interesting to note that the current version of the lens, the Series XVa, is currently advertised by Badger Graphic for $5,499, mounted in a Copal 3S shutter and $3,499 with no shutter at all. My XV is in an Alphax shutter which purrs nicely at 1 sec.


SOLD
 
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