Looking for Lens/shutter for Century Graphic

I have recently been given a Century Graphic minus a lens/shutter. I would
like to build up a fully function system. What recommendations are there for
Lens and where might I find a good selections? Mid-West comes to mind any
suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Tippett

"ATIPPETT" wrote in message
...
I have recently been given a Century Graphic minus a
lens/shutter. I would
like to build up a fully function system. What
recommendations are there for
Lens and where might I find a good selections? Mid-West
comes to mind any
suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Tippett

When I restored a Miniature Speed Graphic recently I got a
lens from one of the local camera sales so I can't comment
on sources. The best of the older lenses for these cameras
are the Kodak Ektar 101mm, f/4.5 and the Kodak Ektar 105mm,
f/3.7. I've had a bad experience with a very early 101mm
Ektar but the later coated one is what I expect from this
lens. The 105mm lens is a version fo the lens used on the
Kodak Medalist, a Heliar type with Lanthanum glass, in fact,
I think the Medalist lens was the first one Kodak made with
Lanthanum glass. Both of these are exceptionally sharp
lenses. There are some more modern lenses which should be
considered, The Rodenstock Sironar or Schneider Symmar and
others of the right focal length. Avoid Wollensak Raptar and
Wollensak made Optars like the plague, they are dogs. Kodak
Supermatic shutters can be brought to life and are quite
accurate and reliable when properly cleaned. The 101mm Ektar
is fairly common and should not be too expensive. The lenses
offered originally on the Century were Triplet types made, I
think, by Wollensak. They also offered the Optar (a Tessar
type) on the more expensive model.

Richard Knoppow wrote:

"ATIPPETT" wrote in message
...

I have recently been given a Century Graphic minus a

lens/shutter. I would

like to build up a fully function system. What

recommendations are there for

Lens and where might I find a good selections? Mid-West

comes to mind any

suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Tippett


When I restored a Miniature Speed Graphic recently I got a
lens from one of the local camera sales so I can't comment
on sources. The best of the older lenses for these cameras
are the Kodak Ektar 101mm, f/4.5 and the Kodak Ektar 105mm,
f/3.7. I've had a bad experience with a very early 101mm
Ektar but the later coated one is what I expect from this
lens. The 105mm lens is a version fo the lens used on the
Kodak Medalist, a Heliar type with Lanthanum glass, in fact,
I think the Medalist lens was the first one Kodak made with
Lanthanum glass. Both of these are exceptionally sharp
lenses. There are some more modern lenses which should be
considered, The Rodenstock Sironar or Schneider Symmar and
others of the right focal length. Avoid Wollensak Raptar and
Wollensak made Optars like the plague, they are dogs. Kodak
Supermatic shutters can be brought to life and are quite
accurate and reliable when properly cleaned. The 101mm Ektar
is fairly common and should not be too expensive. The lenses
offered originally on the Century were Triplet types made, I
think, by Wollensak. They also offered the Optar (a Tessar
type) on the more expensive model.



A second vote for a Kodak Ektar (127mm). I have one on my Crown Graphic
and it's sharp as anything. It compares favourably with my Nikkor 90mm
F8, not that I've done any tests. A bonus with my ektar is that it will
fold into the camera.

Richard Knoppow wrote:

"ATIPPETT" wrote in message
...

I have recently been given a Century Graphic minus a

lens/shutter. I would

like to build up a fully function system. What

recommendations are there for

Lens and where might I find a good selections? Mid-West

comes to mind any

suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Tippett


When I restored a Miniature Speed Graphic recently I got a
lens from one of the local camera sales so I can't comment
on sources. The best of the older lenses for these cameras
are the Kodak Ektar 101mm, f/4.5 and the Kodak Ektar 105mm,
f/3.7. I've had a bad experience with a very early 101mm
Ektar but the later coated one is what I expect from this
lens. The 105mm lens is a version fo the lens used on the
Kodak Medalist, a Heliar type with Lanthanum glass, in fact,
I think the Medalist lens was the first one Kodak made with
Lanthanum glass. Both of these are exceptionally sharp
lenses. There are some more modern lenses which should be
considered, The Rodenstock Sironar or Schneider Symmar and
others of the right focal length. Avoid Wollensak Raptar and
Wollensak made Optars like the plague, they are dogs. Kodak
Supermatic shutters can be brought to life and are quite
accurate and reliable when properly cleaned. The 101mm Ektar
is fairly common and should not be too expensive. The lenses
offered originally on the Century were Triplet types made, I
think, by Wollensak. They also offered the Optar (a Tessar
type) on the more expensive model.



A second vote for a Kodak Ektar (127mm). I have one on my Crown Graphic
and it's sharp as anything. It compares favourably with my Nikkor 90mm
F8, not that I've done any tests. A bonus with my ektar is that it will
fold into the camera.

"Nicholas T" wrote in message
...
Richard Knoppow wrote:

"ATIPPETT" wrote in message
...

I have recently been given a Century Graphic minus a

lens/shutter. I would

like to build up a fully function system. What

recommendations are there for

Lens and where might I find a good selections? Mid-West

comes to mind any

suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Tippett


When I restored a Miniature Speed Graphic recently I got a
lens from one of the local camera sales so I can't comment
on sources. The best of the older lenses for these cameras
are the Kodak Ektar 101mm, f/4.5 and the Kodak Ektar 105mm,
f/3.7. I've had a bad experience with a very early 101mm
Ektar but the later coated one is what I expect from this
lens. The 105mm lens is a version fo the lens used on the
Kodak Medalist, a Heliar type with Lanthanum glass, in fact,
I think the Medalist lens was the first one Kodak made with
Lanthanum glass. Both of these are exceptionally sharp
lenses. There are some more modern lenses which should be
considered, The Rodenstock Sironar or Schneider Symmar and
others of the right focal length. Avoid Wollensak Raptar and
Wollensak made Optars like the plague, they are dogs. Kodak
Supermatic shutters can be brought to life and are quite
accurate and reliable when properly cleaned. The 101mm Ektar
is fairly common and should not be too expensive. The lenses
offered originally on the Century were Triplet types made, I
think, by Wollensak. They also offered the Optar (a Tessar
type) on the more expensive model.



A second vote for a Kodak Ektar (127mm). I have one on my Crown Graphic
and it's sharp as anything. It compares favourably with my Nikkor 90mm
F8, not that I've done any tests. A bonus with my ektar is that it will
fold into the camera.

I've always wondered if the Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm is the same design as
the Ektar. It looks much the same, and is the same size - and seems the
sharpest of the Ysaron / Ysarex range of lenses. (Mine lives on a stand
copy camera and only ever gets used for macro, I've never got round to
trying it at infinity.)



Peter

"Nicholas T" wrote in message
...
Richard Knoppow wrote:

"ATIPPETT" wrote in message
...

I have recently been given a Century Graphic minus a

lens/shutter. I would

like to build up a fully function system. What

recommendations are there for

Lens and where might I find a good selections? Mid-West

comes to mind any

suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Tippett


When I restored a Miniature Speed Graphic recently I got a
lens from one of the local camera sales so I can't comment
on sources. The best of the older lenses for these cameras
are the Kodak Ektar 101mm, f/4.5 and the Kodak Ektar 105mm,
f/3.7. I've had a bad experience with a very early 101mm
Ektar but the later coated one is what I expect from this
lens. The 105mm lens is a version fo the lens used on the
Kodak Medalist, a Heliar type with Lanthanum glass, in fact,
I think the Medalist lens was the first one Kodak made with
Lanthanum glass. Both of these are exceptionally sharp
lenses. There are some more modern lenses which should be
considered, The Rodenstock Sironar or Schneider Symmar and
others of the right focal length. Avoid Wollensak Raptar and
Wollensak made Optars like the plague, they are dogs. Kodak
Supermatic shutters can be brought to life and are quite
accurate and reliable when properly cleaned. The 101mm Ektar
is fairly common and should not be too expensive. The lenses
offered originally on the Century were Triplet types made, I
think, by Wollensak. They also offered the Optar (a Tessar
type) on the more expensive model.



A second vote for a Kodak Ektar (127mm). I have one on my Crown Graphic
and it's sharp as anything. It compares favourably with my Nikkor 90mm
F8, not that I've done any tests. A bonus with my ektar is that it will
fold into the camera.

I've always wondered if the Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm is the same design as
the Ektar. It looks much the same, and is the same size - and seems the
sharpest of the Ysaron / Ysarex range of lenses. (Mine lives on a stand
copy camera and only ever gets used for macro, I've never got round to
trying it at infinity.)



Peter

"Bandicoot" wrote:

I've always wondered if the Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm is the same design as
the Ektar. [...]

Interesting. I have a couple of those, too, from the Polaroid MP cameras
that were thrown away around here. They were free so (silly me) I never
seriously thought about actually _using_ one on a view camera!

Perhaps Richard K. knows. Ektar design?

"Bandicoot" wrote:

I've always wondered if the Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm is the same design as
the Ektar. [...]

Interesting. I have a couple of those, too, from the Polaroid MP cameras
that were thrown away around here. They were free so (silly me) I never
seriously thought about actually _using_ one on a view camera!

Perhaps Richard K. knows. Ektar design?

"Bandicoot" wrote:

I've always wondered if the Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm is the same design as
the Ektar. [...]

Interesting. I have a couple of those, too, from the Polaroid MP cameras
that were thrown away around here. They were free so (silly me) I never
seriously thought about actually _using_ one on a view camera!

Perhaps Richard K. knows. Ektar design?

FWIW: See
http://www.medfmt.8k.com/mf/polaroid45.html








"jjs" wrote in message
...
"Bandicoot" wrote:

I've always wondered if the Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm is the same design as
the Ektar. [...]

Interesting. I have a couple of those, too, from the Polaroid MP cameras
that were thrown away around here. They were free so (silly me) I never
seriously thought about actually _using_ one on a view camera!

Perhaps Richard K. knows. Ektar design?