This week I bought an old 4x5 Graflex RB/Series D from a Craiglist ad for $225. The shutter curtain is intact, but only appears to work reliably at the two highest curtain-tension settings; it jams with lower tensions. It came with a headless somewhat-undersized Ries C model tripod, a bag-mag with ratty leather and an unmarked old petzval lens I estimate to be about 7"/f3.5; it was very hazy but cleaned up fine with mild soap and water. While the lens's flange was screwed to a cracked plywood lensboard, the lensboard was GLUED to the very front of the standard--no screws or clamps. It was on the verge of falling off, so I've removed it. Its focus range in its original position was about 2 feet to 15 feet. Also included were 3 old homemade Waterhouse stops with RECTANGULAR-shaped apertures.
Any idea why the Waterhouse stops have rectangular cut-outs? I've read that some process cameras lenses use square apertures for screened half-tone/copy work, but I doubt if this elderly lens was used as a process lens. I'm certain the stops are not original to the lens: while their outer edges have been cut with a shear, they are slightly irregular and the mid-sized stop is a little too narrow, and light leaks on its edges. (The smallest stop has a narrower aspect ratio than the other two, roughly like 5x7 versus 4x5.)
Any suggestions on who might have made the lens? The knurling on the retaining rings is not quite as fancy as on a Darlot lens of similar vintage I own. The lens is unmarked except for what appears to be an oddly drawn "7" penciled on two of the glass elements. (I estimate its focal length to be about 7", FWIW.) The Waterhouse slot appears original, and not an after-market mod on a Magic Lantern lens.
Thanks in advance from Leigh M. in Santa Barbara, Calif.
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