"Wolly" 12" Velostigmat Series II

MMfoto · Dec 25, 2007

Hey there, I'm looking into buying an 8x10 that's attached to a Wollensak 12" Velostigmat Series II that has the "image defocus" control ring on the front. I haven't found much online about this lens, but the little I have hasn't exactly been glowing. Any first hand users?

Thanks!

Charles Webb · Dec 25, 2007

Buy it, you will love it. The lens is quite sharp when stopped down 3 or more stops, and does a great job of being a soft focus portrait lens. Some may argue the sharpness statement by me, but I base the comment on the two lenses I own. I have owned them both for better than 40 years or more and have had excellent exhibition quality prints using them. Probably won"t match with some of the more modern lenses, but they
certainly will not be the weakest lens you could buy.

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

MMfoto · Dec 26, 2007

Basically, the lens (and packard shutter on a board) is part of a Kodak 2-d kit, with extension rail, 8x10 and 5x7 backs, and one fidelity 8x10 holder, for 500 bucks. I'm leaning towards picking it up.

Jim Noel · Dec 26, 2007

I have one of those lenses. It alone is worth more than the purchase price you mention.
It is extremely versatile as indicated by Charlie.

cowanw · Dec 26, 2007

Buy It!
Or tell us where we can buy it.
I have that lens and there are several threads about focusing such a lens. I set mine up with a yardstick and found that the diffuser device shifts the focus back and forth, not really any different from just focussing short or far. But I think there is a second highlight diffusion effect at any aperture. I have not done enough with it yet to be sure. So despite the official instructions, it seems best to focus after you set the diffusion.
Regards
Bill

MMfoto · Dec 26, 2007

Coverage?

You guys have any idea about coverage with this lens?

MMfoto · Dec 27, 2007

Hey guys.. Side question about the Kodak 2D: I just checked it out again, and might have noticed a red flag; I noticed that the back looked a little warped and took it off and placed the flat side on a countertop (glass, snd dead flat) and it racks a bit - it's a little warped. But when you mount it on the camera It doesn't rock at all. So either the flat side of the back is superficially warped and the mounting surface itself is flat, or perhaps the whole darn camera is warped, though that seems unlikely. I also wonder if it is enough to really matter. Any thoughts here?

cowanw · Dec 27, 2007

MMfoto said:
You guys have any idea about coverage with this lens?

Just checked out my lens on a 2D and all I can say is that it covers the inch or so up and down that the 2D allows wide open.
Can you open a dark slide in the back for a minute or so, with no shutter exposure, and take it home to develop the film. That should tell you if there is a leak.
Regards
Bill

Jim Noel · Dec 27, 2007

There are too many ways to fix the back to prevent buying the camera and lens. If you don't want it, there are plenty of us who will gladly purchase it.

Often all that is needed is to always keep the dark cloth over the camera at al times. A practice which should always be followed anyway.

MMfoto · Jan 18, 2008

OK Guys, Ready, set, go... here's where you can buy it:

CameraTechs in Seattle. 206-782-2433

I'm not buying it, and I'm tired of waffling about it.

It's in nice shape, except for the above mentioned problems. It's got the extension rail, and a pretty nice bellows. Also comes with 5x7 reduction back, another back(?), and an 8x10 fidelity holder+a case.

"Wolly" 12" Velostigmat Series II

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