Hello from North Wales

Hello All

I've just joined the forum although I've shot 5x4 off and on for 35 years. I have a Gandolfi I bought a couple of years ago, with a 5x4 back but have an interest in older lenses on all formats (recently been using a modified 'Mountain' or Alpine Elmar on a Sony A7II with surprisingly good results). My interests are very varied and I've specialised in underwater photography professionally for over 30 years too. I'm gently easing into the idea of looking for an older lens to fit into the Gandolfi though the diameter will be a little restricted. This is for my own fun and since I live just outside the Snowdonia National Park I guess that's where I'll shoot it most. So if anyone can suggest a 'classic', brass lens (preferably British, Irish or other close by) which would fit, work and be fun to look at and use, please comment.

Thanks

Paul

The Grubb aplanatic size A (as you well know!) would be a highly appropriate choice! Really, there are 100's of 1/2 plate on offer every year in the UK. But the first thing you must think about is shuttering - especialy if you want to try out many lens types (which I expect you will).
If you consider Manchester to be local, then you might think about a Thornton-Pickard attached directly to the front standard- or "arranged" to fit on a standard Gandolfi lens board. You could then have a battery of lenses attached to the mini- lens boards that clip onto the from of the T-P shutter. Lenses with early shutters (before Compound and Compur) are liable to total failure. T-Ps after servicing are excellent.

And a very hearty welcome.

Many thanks Stephen. Yes a Grubb aplanatic would be fun and was made probably closer to be than Manchester is! I will keep my eyes open but the only one I can find at the moment is the very late one. The Grubb Petzval is too big but I have other plans for that. A Thornton-Pickard could be a good idea - I'll look into it. I have only one 'new' lensboard for the Gandolfi - made for me last year before 'Gandolfi' finally ceased to produce stuff. But no hurry as I'm enjoying getting my head around everything - I have a monorail 5x4 too but mostly used for copying (long story).

pgk: Unfortunately no advice on lenses, but a hearty welcome from one who lived in the U.K. as an ex-pat for 6 years back in the mid 70s, and spent a fair amount of time climbing and hill-walking in Snowdonia (as well as the rest of Wales). To this day two of my favorite memories are the Snowdon Horseshoe Walk across Crib Goch, and the "factoid" that Wales has more (ruined) castles per capita than any other place in Europe (I love ruined castles, and hope the claim is factual!). I look forward to your images.

Welcome to the forum, Paul. We are glad to have you as a member!

Alan

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Originally Posted by Peter Lewin

pgk: Unfortunately no advice on lenses, but a hearty welcome from one who lived in the U.K. as an ex-pat for 6 years back in the mid 70s, and spent a fair amount of time climbing and hill-walking in Snowdonia (as well as the rest of Wales). To this day two of my favorite memories are the Snowdon Horseshoe Walk across Crib Goch, and the "factoid" that Wales has more (ruined) castles per capita than any other place in Europe (I love ruined castles, and hope the claim is factual!). I look forward to your images.

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Yeah, the U.K. and Europe are pretty neat. If we had old castles here in the U.S. we would probably tear them down and build another Starbucks.

I think Ireland will hold the record for numbers of ruined castles per square mile. The necessity of fortified dwelling houses for the local big family was due to the absence of a central power until quite late. Often, though, they are just stone built houses with massive lower walls without windows. The bigger Welsh castles were part of the strategy of containing the Welsh by the Norman kings.

Hello Paul, from North Yorkshire!