value of LF lens?

[frank]

Hello all, I'd like to ask for your learned opinions about how much a lens I have is worth as I am soon to sell it. (I hate to admit it here, but I'm trying to raise money for a Leica M body. Please don't hate me for this. I am keeping my 4x5 Speed Graphic.)

The lens is a Wollensak 6 1/4" f9.5 Raptar wide angle. It is currently on a 5x7 camera. It is in excellent condition, perfect glass, and fully functioning Rapax shutter (made by Wollensak.) I believe it will cover up to 8x10.

I know that value is determined by whatever someone will pay, but what would a fair price be for both buyer and seller? Thank you for your time and consideration!

Frank

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'd guess $125-225.

 

[frank]

Thank you for your quick response, David!

 

[Sjixxxy]

Not worth anything. And in fact, its been known to kill small children and pets. You'd better PM and I'll send you my address so I can take it off your hands and properly dispose of it.

 

[frank]

What a great guy! Always thinking of others.

 

[removed account4]

hi frank

i was surfing around today and happened upon this site:
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i am not so sure how up to date it is, and it doesn't account for the hyper inflated prices on evil-bay ...

it didn't exactly have your lens but one sort of like it
it is the 159mm extreme wide angle f12.5


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seems that david goldfarb is right on the money

good luck!
-john

 

[Sjixxxy]

What a great guy! Always thinking of others.

I know. I neither have children, or pets. SO I can do the disposal properly.

 

[Nick Zentena]

I did some looking around. From what I could find out the F/12.5 lens [Extreme wide angle] covers 8x10 with movements [100 degrees at F/45]. I found one claim the wide angle should cover 8x10 and one claiming dark corners.

 

[jimgalli]

The 9.5 lens in the Rapax shutter is the last and best iteration of these. It's nicely coated (single) and should fetch $250+. The coating makes it far more desireable and useable. I've had several of the uncoated earlier versions and they suffer from contrast robbing flare.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Jim trades a lot more of this stuff than I do, so I'd trust him if he thinks it will get a bit more than I thought.

 

[eclarke]

Hi Jim,
Will it cover the 8X10??..Evan Clarke

 

[frank]

Does anyone know if this lens covers 8x10 with or without movements? I do not have an 8x10 and I don't know anyone who does so that I can test it myself. Please help!

 

[Nick Zentena]

Frank you could build a cardboard 8x10 to test. Find a big box [bigger then 8x10 since you want to see how big the image circle is] cut a hole in the front to hold the lens. In the back you could put a thin sheet of paper at the right distance. 159mm for this lens. If you point it out a sunny window you should see an image. Measure how big the lit image is and how much looks very sharp. It's not a perfect method but the price is right. Hard part this time of year is finding the sunny window.

 

[jimgalli]

The f12.5 version covers 8X10 with room for movements. I'm ashamed to say I've got a sparklee clean f9.5 coated Raptar and I've never put it on the camera. I always grab the Cooke.