Wollensak lens question

[MenacingTourist]

Let me back up a bit first.
After attending Per's Zions workshop I had decided that LF was a lot of fun and I thought I'd get one next summer after working with my MF system a while longer (I'm just getting back into photograhpy).

Then I just had to go and pick up a Graphic View on eBay (on the cheap) and it came with this lens I'm curious about...

Lens info: Wollensak 7½" 190mm
f/4.5 Raptar No. A83661
glass looks great

Shutter info: Alphax synchro matic
Speeds sound pretty good. Outside ring is rather stiff to turn.

I wrote this down before coming into work so I didn't get all the shutter detail, but any information you all can give me would be great. I'm especially interested in hearing about people who have used this lens and if they liked it or not why they did or didn't. My photo budget is shot so I'll be shooting with this lens for a while anyway and wanted to know what to expect.

I'm mainly interested in portraits (studio and environmental) and the obligitory landscape that I'll purchase a wider lens for later.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Deckled Edge]

You're in luck. The Raptar should be great. I've owned several Wollensaks, and have had great success with them. I have talked with Raptar owners who exhibited "raptar rapture." I think you will join this group.
I have never owned a 190mm lens, and when I was shooting a lot of 4x5 I found that I nearly always chose the 210 over the 150. The 190 would be a nice compromise.
For that wider angle view of the future, I would strongly suggest the 210 Schneider Angulon (not Super). It's a 60's lens, nice and sharp, coated and rather small. They all come in shutters, and will give plenty of movement that your Graphic so richly requires.

 

[Ole]

...
For that wider angle view of the future, I would strongly suggest the 210 Schneider Angulon (not Super). It's a 60's lens, nice and sharp, coated and rather small. They all come in shutters, and will give plenty of movement that your Graphic so richly requires.

I assume you meant 120mm? A 210mm Angulon can only be called small when compared ith a 210mm Super-Angulon!

But the 120mm Angulon is a very nice little lens. Made between 1925 and 1975, so check the age - it doesn't have to be 60's! I have and use Angulons in 90, 120 and 165mm, as well as Super Angulon in 90 and 121mm. All great lenses, but the Supers are big, too.

 

[matt miller]

I don't know anything about the lens, but I did own a Graphic View (II). They are, in my opinion, one of the most under rated cameras. Built like a tank, moves galore, easy to find parts if something breaks (which is not very often with a GV), and inexpensive. I think you'll like it.

 

[MenacingTourist]

Thanks for the info guys Mabye I won't wait for that polaroid back and just shoot some film and see how I like this setup...
The funny thing is there's a lab in my little town (population 20,000) that can process 4x5 but I have to travel an hour to buy the film. Hopefully I can get something done this weekend.

 

[MikeK]

I also have a Graphic View, thought about selling it many times but cannot bear to part with the beast. It was my first LF camera and hold many memories. Bit of a beast to lug around compared with a Wood Field camera, but is a classic and gets the job done.

I do not have any local stores that stock sheet film so I shop online - better selectiona and way better prices. Try ordering from our sponsors, Freestyle deliveries are on steriods

- Mike

 

[matt miller]

J&C has good cheap film & is fast too.

 

[Deckled Edge]

I assume you meant 120mm?

Yes, of course. Fumble fingers meant 120mm Angulon, which is wide enough for all but fish.

 

[MenacingTourist]

J&C has good cheap film & is fast too.

Just placed an order. I'm not concerned with the delivery time as John should be able to take a vacation once in a while

 

[darinwc]

I had a 137mm raptar. It was a little short for my uses but it was quite sharp, and coated. The alphax shutters are not as nice as a copal or compur, but the rapax shutters are allmost as good, better than some. The alphax is still much nicer than the ilex shutters, though.

 

[Mongo]

The first LF lens I purchased was a 137mm Raptar, and it's still one of my favorites. Although I wish for more coverage, the images I get from it are wonderfully sharp with great tonality. I lucked into a filter adapter and filters for it, and it still sees as much use on my 4x5 as any of my lenses. As long as you don't need gobs of coverage, it's probably the best deal going in 4x5 lenses...there are tons of them around and they're inexpensive because they lack the status of "latest and greatest". It's also convenient in that it will fold up inside of my Shen-Hao if I turn the lens around before I close the camera.

I have no personal experience with the 190mm, but I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a deal on one as it would be a good compliment to my current lens set.

Good luck with your camera and lens. I think you've got a great kit and I'm sure you'll have a blast with it.

 

[removed account4]

i had a 90mm purple dot raptar and thought it was a great lens - it had a ton of coverage and was a tiny field lens that folded inside a speed graphic/didn't take up a ton of space in the lens case in the fiber-box the graphic view II was stored in. it gave a really pleasing image shot wide open and was sharp as a tack stopped down. i've never used a 190, but if it is anything like the 90 i used to own, you will be happy with your lens -


enjoy your graphic view. it is a great camera

-john

 

[jimgalli]

Have owned and used a 190 Raptar. It is an excellent lens and also in an excellent shutter. For someone learning it will certainly get you on your way in fine style. And the 190 is a great focal length. Not stingy in coverage on 4X5, you will have excellent movements possible and a good wide "sweet spot". I've aquired sexier stuff in the meantime, but if the house burned down and the remaining lens was a 190 Raptar, I'd go make pictures.

 

[MenacingTourist]

Thanks to all

Maybe it's the caffine talking but I'm really excited about getting busy with this camera and lens. Everyone was great with the responses and has further excited me. It's the same feeling I get as I start cutting masonite for a new painting project.
I just bought 8 yards of muslin for my backdrop and hopefully I can dye it tonight to shoot my sisters family when they come over tomorrow. We're calling it "Polaroid fun time" and I'll shoot a bunch of polaroids on my MF. The kids and the photographer will have a blast

Happy Holidays to everyone!