[LargeFormat] Just quiet or out of order?

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brock Nanson" <brock@nanson.org>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 10:34 AM
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] Just quiet or out of order?


> Took out a Crown Graphic with the original lens two
weekends back.
> Never used this camera or the lens before (new
acquisition - intended to
> be a museum piece), but gave it a try because Canada
Customs *still* has
> my shutter as they try to determine how to ding me for the
repair costs
> at SK Grimes.  I'm about ready to start charging them
rent...
>
> Anyway, shot some Delta 100 and the results looked
reasonable, provided
> I didn't shoot into the sun... the glass has some some fog
that looks
> almost pebbly, but otherwise isn't too badly abused.  Hot
spots seem to
> bloom however...
>
> Brock

   Neither the Kodak or Wollensak (Optar) lenses should have
much flare. The lens is probably hazy. Its also just
possible the cement in the rear component has become
degraded. Shine a flashlight through the lens cells. Both
cells should be crystal clear. If not there is a problem.
The front cell can be cleaned by removing the front
retaining ring. Both Kodak and Wollensak used front
retaining rings without slots. They are removed with a
friction tool made from a sticky rubber washer and a tube
the right diameter. You will probably have to remove the
paint from the threads on the Kodak lens, they are usually
painted over making it look like there are no threads.
Cleaning is done with plain lens cleaning fluid, Windex, 99%
Isopropyl alcohol, all are effective and will remove the
haze. Make sure the internal surfaces are spotless before
reassembling the lens. Haze in the rear component is a sign
that the cement is bad. I have encountered this on a couple
of Kodak lenses. They can be recemented. I started a project
to recement a 152mm Ektar recently. I was able to get the
glass out of the burnished cell by very carefully prying up
the lip. The project is still in progress because I got
called to jury duty on a very long case just as I was
starting out and have not completed the job.
    In any case, both the Kodak Ektar and Wollensak Optar
should be good, contrasty lenses. The Kodak lens is by far
the better of the two. Later Graphics have Optars made by
Rodenstock. These are excellent lenses. If you are buying
lenses avoid the Wollensak Optar "normal" focal length
lenses for Graphics, they are dogs. The Optars made for the
Super-D Graflex are excellent and the Tele-Optars are
excellent, its just the normal FL Optars/Raptars and
Engarging Raptars which should be avoided.

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com