Topic: Fast lens query for 6x9 or 4x5

[Sandeha Lynch]

I have a 120mm (4.75") lens which is f.4.5 and it just ain't as fast as I want.  And a lot of other 150 and 135 lenses tend to be f.4.5 or even slower.  What have you heard of, perhaps among barrel lenses, that are short and fast.  Is there such a thing as a 5" or 6" lens than runs at f.2 or f.2.8 ?

I have a 125mm meniscus that should be f.4 and I will try it out, but can you think of any known names?

[Flippy]

Mamiya Sekor Universal Press lenses had f2.8/100 and f3.5/100.

Or maybe even something like a bellows mount lens for 35mm? Like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Schacht-Travegar-105mm-f-3-5-Short-Mount-Bellow-Lens-/302320938939?hash=item4663bb6fbb:g:BloAAOSw3gJZHdEB

[Sandeha Lynch]

A 35mm mount lens is unlikely to cover medium format, and I can't use anything shorter than 120mm as this is already on a recessed board.  Thanks though.

It's for one of these:


It's a lens I'll be looking for at Photographica, so fingers crossed. 

[Flippy]

You might try searching on ebay for Wollensak Raptar and Fastax lenses. They made so many different variations I'm sure there's got to be something at least 3.5/135 out there.

Otherwise, I might still suggest looking for an old SLR macro lens, many were just triplets or tessars designed for folders, but set in a mount meant for a macro bellows. However I'm not sure if I know one that's 135mm or longer. They should have no problem covering 6x9 though.

[Bryan]

Maybe an old projector lens.  I'm not sure how you would determine if the image circle is big enough but I have seen them mounted on large format cameras.

[Francois]

Only one word of advice here: stay away from the fantastically luminous Oscilo-raptars. While they can cover a 4x5 (barely), the infinity focus distance is only millimeters from the film plane. To use one, you really need to build a special camera.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Francois, please don't tempt me into building another camera. 

I've had a projector lens in the past (300/8) and will look out for some.

[Flippy]

Kodak Aero Ektar? I believe they made a 2.5/175mm (or something near that length).

[Sandeha Lynch]

Kodak Aero Ektar? I believe they made a 2.5/175mm (or something near that length).

That's a classic with a price tag, but yes, a good idea to look into.  Thanks.

[jharr]

This guy usually has pretty interesting stock at not so interesting prices, but if you are looking for search terms, a browse through his shop might be worth while.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/511801258/vintage-large-14-360mm-f45-rodenstock?ref=shop_home_active_17

[Flippy]

How about this? One hour left! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dallmeyer-Pentac-8-inch-F-2-9-Lens-on-4-Wooden-Board-/292114404637?hash=item440360151d:g:w~gAAOSwdjNZFQ81

A little longer than wanted, but fast!

Oh, here's a shorter version, but quite a lot of money: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dallmeyer-Pentac-f2-9-153mm-6-lens-4x5-wet-plate-large-format-no-Aero-Ektar-/222508719582?hash=item33ce8d9dde:g:sJkAAOSwZKBZFXIm

[Aksel]

Kodak Aero Ektar? I believe they made a 2.5/175mm (or something near that length).

That's a classic with a price tag, but yes, a good idea to look into.  Thanks.

The 8" Dallmeyer Pentac is f/2.9 and often way cheaper than the Aero Ektar, plus it´s not radioactive 
That said, if you can live without the apperture Leica 150mm 2.8 Elmaron comes at a very resonable price and covers 4x5 at portrait distance, at infinity it makes some vignetation. Even better, the Hektor-P 150mm 2.5 at about the same price but with a somewhat smoother bokeh. I use both on my Speed Graphic with pola-back and fp100c

Happy hunting!

[Sandeha Lynch]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  It has to be between 125mm and 175mm, or 5" to 7", but that's some names to look out for on Sunday.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Well ... I picked up a Wray Supar 6" (150mm) f.3.5.  Coated and clean, it's in a projection mount, and the dealer didn't know too much about it but was happy to take my £25 instead of the £30 on the ticket.  The Lens Vade Mecum says, and I quote, "economical but of the highest quality and fully corrected and giving brilliant definition".  Which is what you like to hear about a triplet, innit.  I'll try and mount it soon.

[SLVR]

any particular reason you need a lens that fast? The DOF will be so thin I can't image that it would be that usable.

[Sandeha Lynch]

any particular reason you need a lens that fast? The DOF will be so thin I can't image that it would be that usable.

LOL.  You don't know my work, do you.   

Testing on Thursday.

[jharr]

any particular reason you need a lens that fast? The DOF will be so thin I can't image that it would be that usable.

Yeah, Sandeha has unburdened himself of the things that others find important, like sharp focus.  Beautiful stuff, his photos. I wish I could free my artistic mind like he does.

[Sandeha Lynch]

any particular reason you need a lens that fast? The DOF will be so thin I can't image that it would be that usable.

Yeah, Sandeha has unburdened himself of the things that others find important, like sharp focus.  Beautiful stuff, his photos. I wish I could free my artistic mind like he does.

Ha, cheers James.  Some folks happily compare, say, Canon lenses against some other brand, and I'm not going to say owt about it, but personally I think of Singlet, Doublet, Triplet, Tessar, Heliar, Planar, and so on, as far more interesting alternatives for discussion.   

[Sandeha Lynch]

any particular reason you need a lens that fast? The DOF will be so thin I can't image that it would be that usable.

Not that thin at all.  This is a crop, but it shows the fall off of the focus before and behind.



Supar 150/3.5, wide open for 6x9.  On Trix.