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ASpeedGraphic · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Hello,

Every now and then this same lens turns up on EBay. I don't know if any are there right now. It is always advertised as an aerial recon lens for English planes. If I remember right, it has a fixed F8 diaphragm. This probably has a field of view similar to a 300mm on a 35, and I was thinking of trying it out if I can get one for a decent price. Several times I have found myself wanting a longer telephoto lens for a particular shot. If it doesn't work or I don't like it, I can always unload it again on EBay. Anyone know what lens I'm talking about? Any experience with this lens?

Thanks.

Keith

[ This Message was edited by: ASpeedGraphic on 2006-05-22 22:57 ]

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2146 Location: New Jersey

t.r.sanford · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

There was, indeed, a whole lot of military surplus floating around in the 1950s and '60s, and a good deal of it seems to be washing up on eBay.

I haven't seen a fixed-aperture lens of that focal length, but I have seen a 36-in. f:6.8 true telephoto, with a manual diaphragm, made (if I recall aright) by Dallmeyer.

Adapting such a thing for use with a "Speed Graphic" (or just about anything else) would involve a fair amount of construction; you'd need a big, quite rigid tube or box, tapering down to a suitable lensboard at the far end, with some kind of slide affixed to the bottom to carry the camera body when you focused. The ensemble would want pretty robust mounting, too.

It seems feasible and it might be fun, but it would take a man, a boy and an old mule to transport the thing. Such projects usually are undertaken in furtherance of astrophotographic pursuits, which can be conducted from a fixed position!

Murray@uptowngallery.org · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 164 Location: Holland MI

Fairchild 36" f/8 I've seen occasionally.

I have a 27" f/11-13.5 monochromatic lens that was nearly 40# shipped. I was warned it is terribly No-NO-APO, but you know me, I got it anyway to use for something inappropriate.

Another buyer made a telescope with his using PVC well casing...I think the tripod hold the lens body.

He swears it has no color fringing and whoever told me it was monochromatic was wrong...(I talked to the lens QC inspector and he referred me to the company contracted to build it and they both told me uh-uh.

I'm building a long lens with meniscus lenses in a 6" well casing about 61" long...originally to put a 2x3 back on, but it's bigger than 6", and 4x5 back might have coverage.

There's no point (oxmoronic or maybe peroxymoronic, right?) using the bellows & body...too big a tube & the elements are small enough to just slide in the well casing.

_________________
Murray

ASpeedGraphic · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Hello,

That is the one...pretty sure. I will be able to figure out how to physically rig up the lens with some sort of back, so that won't be a problem. I just wonder if it will actually cover a 4X5 sheet. Who knows what type of film it was designed for. Maybe 70mm? Not much way to tell without trying it out. Wish I could find one locally.

Keith

[ This Message was edited by: ASpeedGraphic on 2006-05-23 21:59 ]

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2146 Location: New Jersey