[Largeformat] Re: Wollensak Lenses

[Clive Warren <cocam@cableinet.co.uk>]

From: Clive Warren <cocam@cableinet.co.uk>

>From: "Ken Hough" <k4sb@niia.net>
>
>Hi Clive,
>Where did you get the idea that a 15in Wollansak Tele was for a Process
>camera ??
>Its not APO to any high degree. It can not be used with swings or tilts at
>all. ( the image
>moves right off the ground glass when you swing it. It belongs right where
>it belongs....on a
>speed graphic.. . It is a true tele. The back focus is far shorter than
>its marked focal lenth.
>As to the thing on the front.......sounds like a Mitchell ( maybe )
>filter holder. Push a filter
>on and turn it to lock.
>Now.......Shoot a few negs with it at f11- 16 and you will be happy.
>Ken
>
>Date sent:      	Thu, 7 Jan 1999 13:41:55 -0600 (CST)
>To:             	Largeformat@onelist.com
>From:           	Clive Warren <cocam@cableinet.co.uk>
>Send reply to:  	Largeformat@onelist.com
>Subject:        	[Largeformat] Wollensak Lenses
>
>> From: Clive Warren <cocam@cableinet.co.uk>
>>
>> Well Ken, now that you are about to give us the wisdom of your experience
>> with Wollensak lenses, here's another question for you.
>>
>> I have a Wollensak 15" Telephoto (f5.6 possibly) with yellow circle
>> included in the writing around the frount element.  It has a strange front
>> flange with a series of around three brass pegs which presumably are for a
>> filter or hood attachment.
>>
>> The lens is currently at the repairers as the iris diaphragm was bent but
>> is now ready to collect and slightly more straight. If you need more
>> information the lens will probably be collected for me by the weekend.
>>
>> Is this a process lens intended for something like a rostrum camera, and if
>> so, how do you think it'll cope with rendering 3D images eg portraiture as
>> it may be optimised for 2D work?
>>
>> At the moment it is on a Speed Graphic lens board and by racking everything
>> out and suspending a sack of potatoes on the rear of the camera it'll give
>> a full frame head shot :-)
>>
>> Haven't tried it yet but would appreciate any info. on the lens from any
>> list member.  If you know where I could find a lens hood for it that would
>> also be interesting, otherwise it'll be down to margerine tubs and black
>> paint :-)


Ken,

Well it was the repairer who cast aspersions as to the possible use of the
lens.  I was quite happy thinking it was intended for something like the
Speed Graphic until he started talking about rostrum cameras.

Should have known better than to listen to him as I mentioned Goerz lenses
to him and he hadn't heard of them :-)

Looking forward to using it for B/W portraiture on the Speed Graphic -
which is the reason for picking it up in the first place.

Mitchell filters - never heard of those.  Still plenty to learn and this
seems a good forum for doing so.

Thanks for the information Ken. Will let you know how it turns out via the
list as someone else may want to pick one up if it is as good as I hope
it'll be.  Will try it with and without the famous "Dernier pro" filter :-)


All the best,

              Clive     http://clive.bel-epa.com