Been trying to figure this out for certain from the information on this site and ending up more confused than ever.

What is the longest normal lens and telephoto lens that can be used with a 2x3 Miniature Speed Graphic. I am presuming, at this point, that my 8 3/8" non-tele-photo B&L Tessar lens is too long for the bellows, but I really am left uncertain. If it is, as I suspect, then what is a good inexpensive (not necessarily cheap, just the lowest cost for decent performance as my budget is minimal) Telephoto lens in the 200 - 250 mm range?

I'll have a 90, a 105 & a 135 for this camera when it arrives. I'd like to know what to look for for something longer after I've managed to find an affordable 65 for it.

Thanks!

William

Quote:

On 2006-12-01 23:17, wlewisiii wrote: Been trying to figure this out for certain from the information on this site and ending up more confused than ever. What is the longest normal lens and telephoto lens that can be used with a 2x3 Miniature Speed Graphic. I am presuming, at this point, that my 8 3/8" non-tele-photo B&L Tessar lens is too long for the bellows, but I really am left uncertain. If it is, as I suspect, then what is a good inexpensive (not necessarily cheap, just the lowest cost for decent performance as my budget is minimal) Telephoto lens in the 200 - 250 mm range? I'll have a 90, a 105 & a 135 for this camera when it arrives. I'd like to know what to look for for something longer after I've managed to find an affordable 65 for it. Thanks! William

William, to begin, the 250/5.6 TeleOptar (also badged TeleRaptar) will make infinity on all of the 2x3 Graphics. There are other tele lenses in that range for small press cameras from Rodenstock and Schneider that will also work for you.

In addition, there are ways to get a 2x3 Speed Graphic to focus non-tele lenses as long as 12". And there's a 12"/4 telephoto lens in barrel that, when mounted on a 2x3 Speed, makes infinity with the front standard on the inner bed rails. Finally, there are a number of 65 mm lenses that will make infinity on a 2x3 Speed.

All of my lenses longer than 160 mm are in barrel. To use any of them on my 2x3 Graphics I mount the lens in front of a #1 Copal Press shutter, ex-Polaroid MP-4, via an adapter. The shutters aren't too expensive and one needs only one, but the adapters -- I buy mine from SKGrimes -- can be pricey. For longer lenses I put Leica thread mount extension tubes as needed between lens mount adapter and shutter. Doing this requires more adapters and more expense. What with the extension due to the shutter and the adapter and the tubes, the longest lenses I can use on my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed are a 300/10 Apo Saphir and a 305/9 Apo Nikkor.

The longest lens I know of that's an easy fit on a 2x3 Speed is a 12"/4 tele in barrel made by Taylor, Hobson. It makes infinity with the front standard inside the box. Works fine on my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed except that at infinity the compressed bellows cuts off a couple of mm at each end of the frame. If you want directions to a dealer who has some of the lenses -- Euro 129 plus postage from Germany -- send me a private message. Note that the lens has to be mounted in front of the board; when Steve Grimes did this for me he charged around $100 for the job.

As for short lenses, the 65/6.8 Wolly and 65/6.8 Angulon and similar lenses from other makers won't make infinity on a 2x3 Speed. But 65/8 Super Angulon and Ilex Acugon (sold under a variety of names) will. I shoot a 65/8 Ilex and am very happy with it. Not that inexpensive, though. 65/5.6 SA will work too, also equivalent lenses from Fuji, Nikon, Rodenstock. More expensive still.

Good luck, have fun, shop hard,

Dan

Dan,

Thank you for the explaination. I think I'll keep my eyes open for the Ilex 65/8 & the 250/5.6 Tele-Optar/Raptar for this camera. I'll have to putter around and see if I can rig something for the old B&L Tessar & maybe my B&L Rapid Rectilinear too.

Thanks again,

William

I'll put in a good word here for the Optar 203 mm f/4.7 in Graphex. If you can find one of these that's as good as mine, you'll love it. From other users who have posted on this site, the Tele-Optars are not as sharp as their "regular" long-lens counterparts.

While I'm at it, the 65 mm Optar is a serviceable wide-angle which, if focussed with great care (I use the "least worst" method), can yield satisfactory results.

Neither the 65 nor the 203 will be easy to find these days. I lucked into my 203 when I saw it listed by Columbus Camera Group in a Shutterbug ad; that was at least five years ago. Found my 65 at a camera show, again a case of dumb luck (right place, right time). That's what makes owning these cameras so exciting--the thrill of a chance discovery--but also darned frustrating at times!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2006-12-02 09:29 ]</font>

Henry,

that 203 sounds good too. Also wasn't there a 203 Ektar as well?

Well, it's not like I need to be in a hurry or anything - the camera is coming with a 90/6.8 WA Raptar, a 105/3.5 Zeiss Jena Tessar & a 135/4.7 Optar so I'm rather well set for lenses at the moment - especially since that 90 is supposed to cover 4x5 as well

William

Quote:

On 2006-12-02 11:27, wlewisiii wrote: Henry, that 203 sounds good too. Also wasn't there a 203 Ektar as well? Well, it's not like I need to be in a hurry or anything - the camera is coming with a 90/6.8 WA Raptar, a 105/3.5 Zeiss Jena Tessar & a 135/4.7 Optar so I'm rather well set for lenses at the moment - especially since that 90 is supposed to cover 4x5 as well William

PMFJI. Yes, there's a 203/7.7 Ektar. Before it was badged Ektar it was badged Kodak Anastigmat. I have a 1940-made 203/7.7 KA in barrel. Uncoated, shoots well.

That's also very good to know. One of the older barrel mounts would be a sweet thing to find.

Thanks again to both of you,

William

_________________
4x5 and a Tessar is heaven
"I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies..." Green Day

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wlewisiii on 2006-12-02 13:14 ]</font>