Kodak 12" f/4.5 Ektar vs. 12" f/6.3 Commercial Ektar

[Drew Wiley]

This was a long time ago, but as I recall, he referred to hand-selected examples picked out of the general run, and certified somehow as superior performers, which
warranted a higher price. I have no idea if part of the leftovers were spun off to Calumet private-label, but it wouldn't surprise me. Still, either category would have
a relatively good reputation today for softer color work. These of course would all be 6.3 in this kind of focal length. I'm assuming the third grade would have been the 4.5 portrait series rather than true C.E.'s. He also sold Linhof and Rollei back then, so was accustomed to nitpicky pro customers.

[Drew Wiley]

...OK, I know I'll start a food fight with that comment. But what they thought selling them. Commerical Ektars were considered superior to faster Ektars because
they were officially corrected for color film, and not all big name brand lenses back then were, by any means. Black and white shooters today might have a different
opinion.

[BrianShaw]

Thanks for the memory, Drew.

[Andrew Plume]

I've owned both and still have the f4.5 Ektar

.........but why oh why were these Ilex shutters, No5 in particular not that fast, I don't mind the size, it's their speeds

andrew

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

The only other option would be a Compound no. 5, which aren't any faster.

[dasBlute]

It's the Indian, not the arrow.

Had not heard this in a long time, long enough to forget the adage, thanks for reminding us [well, me at least]

[Drew Wiley]

Every real Indian I knew put a lot of fuss into his arrows. At least the ones which still remembered what arrows and arrowheads were for.