Which lens should I keep?

sruddy · Mar 27, 2022

I have two 203mm f7.5 lenses and would like to sell or trade one to buy a new lens with shorter focal length for landscapes. I have had the Ektar lens serviced and converted to work with my studio strobes. I think it’s a decent lens for portrait, table top and macro work in the studio. It’s a bit soft at the edges wide open but I haven't done any movements on it yet. I’m thinking this is the one to keep but have no experience with the Optar and it needs CLA. Which one of these lenses do you all like the best and if I get rid of the Optar should I have it serviced first, or just try to trade or sell as without being serviced?

Dan Fromm · Mar 27, 2022

Hmm. You have the lenses, ask them.

But since you're asking strangers who don't have your lenses or your preferences, I'd unload the Optar. It is in a shutter that needs an overhaul. The Ektar is in an overhauled shutter.

The 203/7.5 Optar is supposed to be more-or-less a clone of the 203/7.7 Ektar. If this is true they should perform equally well.

sruddy · Mar 27, 2022

Dan Fromm said:
Hmm. You have the lenses, ask them.

But since you're asking strangers who don't have your lenses or your preferences, I'd unload the Optar. It is in a shutter that needs an overhaul. The Ektar is in an overhauled shutter.

The 203/7.5 Optar is supposed to be more-or-less a clone of the 203/7.7 Ektar. If this is true they should perform equally well.

Looks like the elements are different diameters.

BrianShaw · Mar 27, 2022

Dan's logic is excellent. I'd keep the one in better current condition even though I much prefer the Graphex shutter. Performance-wise... I, personally, wouldn't be able to discern much of a difference between the two lenses.

sruddy · Mar 27, 2022

BrianShaw said:
Dan's logic is excellent. I'd keep the one in better current condition even though I much prefer the Graphex shutter. Performance-wise... I, personally, wouldn't be able to discern much of a difference between the two lenses.

Please tell me why you like the Graflex shutter better than the Kodak. Looks like the Kodak stops down further. I just tested the flash sync on the Optar and it works so it looks like I can do a test shot using both lenses and compare.
thx

Nodda Duma · Mar 27, 2022

CLA’ed shutter, similar optics, though an Ektar are called an Ektar because it was assembled to tighter tolerances.

It’s a no-brainer.

shutterfinger · Mar 27, 2022

The Optar is a Wollensak Raptar with a different name. https://alphaxbetax.com/Wollensak Lens and Shutter Compendium/#optar
The shutter is easy to service. https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=113&category=2&secondary=28 The flash sync does not need to be disassembled unless its is not working, contacts should be cleaned though.
As Dan said Ask Them, they will tell you which is the best performer.

sruddy · Mar 27, 2022

shutterfinger said:
The Optar is a Wollensak Raptar with a different name. https://alphaxbetax.com/Wollensak Lens and Shutter Compendium/#optar
The shutter is easy to service. https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=113&category=2&secondary=28 The flash sync does not need to be disassembled unless its is not working, contacts should be cleaned though.
As Dan said Ask Them, they will tell you which is the best performer.

Thanks for the links, I may try and service the shutter.

GKC · Mar 29, 2022

I'd recommend keeping both.
When you go for a drive, always keep a spare in the trunk.
The same could be said about LF lenses.

sruddy · Mar 30, 2022

GKC said:
I'd recommend keeping both.
When you go for a drive, always keep a spare in the trunk.
The same could be said about LF lenses.

Probably a good idea, especially since neither will bring me much to put toward a new lens.

Paul Howell · Mar 30, 2022

I agree, as both are in working order having a back up, or a second LF camera and lens in the trunk or your car, who knows what you might see while going somewhere.

eli griggs · Apr 4, 2022

Keep both, back up focal lengths and working shutters always allow you confidence when one is in repair or part of a second "go anywhere" kit.

IMO.

Sirius Glass · Apr 4, 2022

Why sell? Keep both so that you have a working spare. Besides Photrio is not the place to come to ask for lens advice since you will just be encouraged to buy more cameras, lenses, filters, ...

Jay Schrotenboer · Apr 4, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
Why sell? Keep both so that you have a working spare. Besides Photrio is not the place to come to ask for lens advice since you will just be encouraged to buy more cameras, lenses, filters, ...

Isn’t that why people come to photrio? He is not actually asking which lens to get rid of, instead he is asking “what other lens, camera, filters should I get to go with these”. Or at least that is what we shall assume.

MarkS · Apr 5, 2022

I'd bet that if you test those two 8" lenses against each other, at f/16-22 you won't be able to tell them apart. (I wish that I'd kept my 203/7.7 Ektar.)
The lens that you want to complement either lens (or both of them) is a 135/6.3 Wide Field Ektar.

gone · Apr 5, 2022

The Ektar is a classic, mine was sharp as heck, we couldn't tell the difference between it and a Nikkor 300 5.6 using 4x5 color transparency film. All the Kodak Ektar lenses in all the formats are top quality. I had my problems w/ that shutter though, but yours has been serviced, so you're good to go.

Which lens should I keep?

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