My wolly 159mm is soo dark, what do you guys do?

[IanG]

I was checking screens a few years ago an measured the difference between an original Graflex Crown Graphic GGscreen and a new GG screen, there was a 2 stop difference with a fresnel this was 3½ stops. I used a meter and also comparative visual evaluation, both matched.

Ian

It's too late to edit the above, in fact the 3½ stop increase in brightness was between the original Graflex screen (which was very clean) and my Wista combo screen/fresnel. The new screen for the Crown Graphic when it had a fresnel fitted to the rear and was 3 stops brighter than the original. That's overall brightness in all cases.

Ian

[Michael Clark]

Good point, Michael. I'll have to consider it a 'special use' lens. In my series of portraits of my boys in the environment, the Wollie did help me produce one of my favorites...

Vaughn, thats a great portrait of your boys. I have 159mm f/9 and its can be a stinker if any flare is present but if careful it works great and has its own signature, like to use it with "ole' Jake" my B&J 5x7 camera.

[Scott Davis]

Although I haven't used it for a while, I have shot with my Wolly (an f12.5 with the purple W 'WoCoated') on my Canham 5x12. I haven't had problems with the corners darkening on the film when stopped down, but they do get soft. It's my recollection that there is quite a bit of sample variation from lens to lens in the 159mm. So it doesn't surprise me that some folks have issues with it and others don't.

[ericmaquiling]

Thanks for all the replies. I do think I have a weird sample. I tried it on my Chamonix 4x5 and it is a little brighter but still it doesn't look sharp at all. But hey, it wasn't expensive and an equivalent +-150mm range is gonna be super beyond my budget!

[Ian Gordon Bilson]

A cheap laser pointer is a useful aid.

[ericmaquiling]

I do the old studio trick of using a magazine or a book or newspaper to focus. If the words are sharp...

[Michael Clark]

When I first bought my 159mm I could not get a sharp image on the ground glass, so I took the lens cells off the shutter and discovered that some one had flipped the inner most lens in the cell. I flipped it right over and its worked fine since then.

[Cor]

That's funny, got exactly the same experience, I later "upgraded" to 165mm Angulon, mainly because the Wolly would also "see" the bed of my Toyo 810M when in portrait mode..

Best,

Cor

When I first bought my 159mm I could not get a sharp image on the ground glass, so I took the lens cells off the shutter and discovered that some one had flipped the inner most lens in the cell. I flipped it right over and its worked fine since then.

[Drew Bedo]

I do the old studio trick of using a magazine or a book or newspaper to focus. If the words are sharp...

That works : I use a retail bar-code panel from some clothing tag or cereal box.

[Jim Noel]

Hi guys,
Can I use a fresnel of some type to see a little better with my Wolly 159mm?
Darn thing is so dark even on a good day

I have an f-18 B&L Protar which I have very little difficulty focusing on a normal sunlit day with my 87 year old eyes. Perhaps those who have problems should have their eyes checked for cataracts. They may find them present, regardless of age.