I just came across in an antique store, a wartime 4x5 Speed Graphic, with its all black finish. It has a voiglander 30cm f4.5 heliar lens mounted on it. I was just wondering if this is a good useable lens, for the bellows on this camera. It seems pretty stretched out. They want $375 for the outfit, but it might be interesting for portraits. Any thoughts.
Wartime should mean Anniversary Speed Graphic. According to the bible, 10th edition, the Anny's maximum extension is 13 1/2" (= 342 mm). This is 1.14 focal lengths. The highest magnification you can get on film is 1:6.6 or so, i.e., the image on film will can be at most 1/6th or so the size of the object. This seems awfully loose for portraiture, but I could be mistaken.
Good usable lens for distant subjects if in good order, though.
Without knowing the flange focal distance of the lens you cannot calculate the extension percentage.Originally Posted by Dan Fromm
- Leigh
If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.
Dan and Leigh are just trying to distract you while they try to figure out where you live so they can beat you to it. At that price, the camera body is free, if the equipment is in good condition.
I had a 300mm Heliar on a Super D, and made a 3" extension tube to mount it, so that it barely focused infinity, and then went up pretty close for portraits. Lacking details, or a photo of the item in question, I wouldn't be too fast to say it won't work.
Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear
The camera and lens are in great shape, one of the best I have seen. It also comes with a grafmatic holder and two bag mags, which I have never seen before.
Practically speaking they shouldn't go together, but it's a good price for the combination. If you want to do portraits, sell the 300mm heliar and buy something 200-210mm range. Check the portrait threads to see what people use for various portrait styles.
Bottom line: it's well priced, you can buy it and make money reselling it, or use it as is.
Leigh, of course you're right. That's said, I don't think the rule of thumb I applied gave a badly wrong answer.
I just took a look at sales of Heliars for large format on eBay. I had no idea people valued longer ones that much. Still not for me, even as a speculation. Go for it, RTucker! If, that is, it is in good condition.
No. Certainly not "badly" wrong.
The difference between 1:6 and 1:4 is significant for portraiture, and perhaps important to the OP.
With longer lenses, the location of the rear node moves around all over the place. If the rear node is forward by even 50mm, that would make a huge difference in this camera. I don't know the design of the Heliar.
Do you have any literature that gives the flange focal distance for the Heliar?
BTW, the Google hits that I've found for the 4.5/30cm Heliar indicate that it's a soft-focus lens. True?
If so, that argues more strongly that the entire camera set was configured for portraiture.
- Leigh
If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.
I have found out that there is two versions of the lens. The regular f4.5, and one called the Universal Heliar which is the soft focus lens
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