Graflex.org

majorcities · Joined: 08 Jun 2001 Posts: 4 Location: the Bluegrass

Sorry for placing two consecutive posts, but I have too many questions!

ok. I'm just about ready to shoot with my 2x3 Graflex- I've had it for a year, but I've just now purchased a roll film back so that I can continue shooting square (my everyday camera is a 'blad with an 80mm Planar). I'm anxious to get started experimenting with this gorgeous little camera! So, coming from experience with a Zeiss lens, do you think I'll be pleased with the images produced by the Optar 101mm lens? I haven't heard anyone mention how good these lenses are, but all I know is that they came as a standard issue lens for these cameras. Anyone have any praise for these lenses?

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

I think the Optar is a good lens. It was the best lens Graflex offered at the time. Although your images might not have the cutting edge of the Planar, they will have "character".

Henry · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2001 2:24 am Post subject:

Have no fear---the 101 Optar is a darn good performer (assuming yours is in good shape). It will cover the movements on the 2x3 Graphic without vignetting, and you will be impressed with the sharpness and contrast. Your prints WILL have a "vintage" look to them, but after all we're using vintage cameras, so that's no surprise! I love using this lens on my Century and bet you will too. Be sure to focus on the ground glass with a loupe for best results.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Henry · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2001 12:29 am Post subject:

Dan,
Could you help me along a bit by furnishing complete, accurate web addresses for rec.photo.equipment.large-format (Netscape doesn't recognize the address you gave)? Search of Chris Perez turns up dozens of entries for a Latino band, and I'd rather not wade through 10 pages of entries for "Thalmann" that Google gave me. Many thanks!

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[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2001-06-12 17:32 ]

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

[quote]
On 2001-06-12 17:29, Henry wrote:
Dan,
Could you help me along a bit by furnishing complete, accurate web addresses for rec.photo.equipment.large-format (Netscape doesn't recognize the address you gave)? Search of Chris Perez turns up dozens of entries for a Latino band, and I'd rather not wade through 10 pages of entries for "Thalmann" that Google gave me. Many thanks!

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Henry:

rec.photo.equipment.large-forum is a usenet news group. to read messages posted to it, go to http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search You should find it easy to use if, unlike me, you read the screen before clicking on 'search.'

Chris Perez' lens tests are at http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html
I tried to get to it this morning and the DNS couldn't find it. I hope this isn't permanent (a loss if so).

Hope this helps,

Dan

Henry · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2001 2:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Dan. A Google search of "lens test" got me directly to the http://www.hevanet.com/cperez, etc., address (which was operating as I write) and the link to the Thalmann and Perez "lens test results" listings. Evidently they did not test the 101mm Optar, at least I don't see it in the 100mm-163mm category, nor the fabled Kodak 105mm f/3.7 Ektar, reputedly "the best of the best." They DO say the following, however: "...Wollensak lenses are valued less than either Schneider or Kodak lenses made in the same decade....However, the performance of...the Wollensak...lenses is very adequate for all kinds of photography! This becomes a significant point if total system cost makes the difference between photographing the world in Large Format or not." Perhaps this statement will be a useful response to "majorcities" original posting.

majorcities · Joined: 08 Jun 2001 Posts: 4 Location: the Bluegrass

Thanks everyone! Now I know for myself how good this lens is! I developed my first roll last night and, WOW. I was indeed impressed. The corners were even sharp!
I spent about two hours this past weekend trying to calibrate the damn rangefinder- what a pain! The help pages on this site are great, but for some reason, they didn't work for me. I ended up having to do it by trial 'n error. Now, it's right on the money. Now all I need to do is find a better roll film holder!
Thanks!

CharlesC · Joined: 10 May 2001 Posts: 25 Location: East Tennessee

Just curious. How do you think it compares to the Zeiss on your 'blad?

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Henry · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2001 1:52 pm Post subject:

Dan,
Impressive! I wrote to Mr. Perez's email address with the hope of persuading him to run tests on the 65-101-203 Optars. I doubt if the 101 Optar will match or exceed the Ektar, but I'd still like to see some data. Also interesting are your comments on the 101 f/3.7 Ektar; this lens is touted as a "notable performer" in the 10th edition of Morgan & Lester's "Graphic Graflex Photography" (see p. 14, also p. 1

. Maybe this is where I got the notion that it was so good.

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[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2001-06-15 06:52 ]

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Henry · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2001 12:33 am Post subject:

Dan,
My 203 Optar is the f/7.5 long focus, and is perfectly usable on the 2x3 Century, albeit at full bellows extension. And it is sharp!! I didn't ask about the 10" f/5.6 Optar tele because, since I don't own one, I just didn't think of it!

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[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2001-06-19 12:35 ]