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[wfhguy]

Does anyone know the relative quality of the Optar 127mm f4.5 lens, regarding sharpness, coverage etc.? From what I have been able to figure out, it was originally made for use with the smaller (than 4x5) film formats. How does it stack up on the 4x5? If it's any help, the lens serial number is 927537, I have no idea of the age. My camera is a green military model, I'm assuming this is the original lens. Thanks.

[Les]

The 127mm lens (be it an Optar or Ektar) is a Tessar formula, that in your case is coated.

the Ektar version was considered one of the best color corrected lenses in the TOp of the line- Ektar family.

The optar is a clone of the the Ektar, people will say that consistancy varied a bit more with Wollensak than with Kodak. I say at this point in the game, how it was used/abused will have more effect on the quality of images you get rather than what pedigree it had 60 years ago.

This was intended for 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 and as such the corners will be a bit soft if you shoot below f11, but I've never condsidered my corners to be the prime subject of my photographs. You also won't have a lot of movement of the front standard.

But remember, this lens was usually used as a point and shoot, f8 and be there camera, so don't expect the performance of a lens that's 60 years newer, weighs 4 times and costs 5-10 times as much

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[wfhguy]

Thanks for the helpful info. Now for some testing...