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daleraby · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2001 6:55 pm Post subject:

I have an old Kodak Vest Pocket camera with a Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat f/6.3 Focal Length seems to be about 180-200 mm. The lens has a date of 1903 on it, and is uncoated.

Does anyone have any experience using a lens of this type on a Speed Graphic? Some years ago I used it on a 4x5 view camera exposing Cibachrome directly in the camera... but this didn't get any enlarging as the aim was to produce "color Dauguerotypes". (ASA was about 2, if memory serves, should any wish to try this again)

Dale

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

Zeiss trademaked the names of their lenses and only the subcontractor could use the trademarked name. That's why you can find Tessars and Protars made by Zeiss, Bausch & Lomb, as wells as Kraus.

When a third party entered the fray they were forced to put Zeiss's name and the original name for the lens. Thus The Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat.

F6.3 means it's probably identical to a B&L Tessar IIb made at the Kodak Hawkeye Works.

I suspect the care of assembly will have a greater effect on the sharpness of the lens than the design. With moderate enlargements (4x or less) I think you will find it a good performer