Ilex 90/8

[Matthew Cromer]

I've read that this is a clone of the Super Angulon 90/8. Is it a worthy copy or a junker in the sharpness department?

[Gregory Owens]

Matthew,
I do not believe the Ilex is a clone of the 90mm f8 SA, I think the lens you are thinking of is the Caltar WII. Both Ilex and Schneider made lenses for Calumet. They both are, 6 elements/4 groups and 100 degree in design but the simularity I think ends there. The WII was produced by Schneider for Calumet from 1976 to 1983. The early ones were single coated the later ones had multi-coating. Kerry Thalmann wrote an article for View Camera magazine a couple of years ago regarding Caltar lenses. I picked up a multi-coated WII just before his article came out, off eb*y for less than $200 in like new condition. Since then it appears people have caught on and prices have gone up, but you can still find them for less than Schneider branded multi-coated versions. Good luck hope the info was useful.
Cheers, Greg

[Doug Howk]

Thalman's article is in May/June 2003 issue of View Camera. I have a 90mm f8 Ilex-Calumet Caltar that probably was produced mid 70s (in Copal # 0 shutter); and it appears to be single coated with lens flare problems ( bought a compendium shade for my Shen-Hao since most of my lenses are in 30-60 year time frame). Thalman writes that the last year of Ilex/Calumet relationship, 1977, the lenses were multi-coated. Thalman says "When shopping for a new or used large format lenses, it is worth considering the Caltars to get the most bang for the buck".

[Jim Galli]

These were made by Ilex and were a "copy" of the SA. Same formula. The one I had was excellent in every way. i would say just as sharp as my SA's. The only flaw was that it had no filter thread so you hve to fiddle with something that will slide over the barrel.

[Matthew Cromer]

The auction is over now -- wish I had bid for it and picked it up!

[Steve Hamley]

Matthew,

There will be another one.

Steve

[John Fontana]

With regard to the lack of a filter thread on this lens, I had SRB, a company here in England that specialises in filters,
www.srbfilm.co.uk,
make me up a threaded collar that fits around the circumference of the lens, with grub screws that anchor it to the lens.I had to supply them with a closely fitting lens cap for sizing, and be prepared to wait 6-8 weeks while they could economically tool up for the job. Cost about thirty UK pounds, I think.
Great job and worth the outlay for the convenience of lens use with filters

[Bob Fowler]

I solved the filter thread (or lack thereof) problem on my Ilex-Calumet 90mm f/8 Wide Field Caltar with a series 8 retaining ring and some black electrical tape. Works like a charm and 67mm filters screw right in or series 8 filters can be used with a second retaining ring.

To quote an email I had from Lynn Jones on the subject of these 90mm f/8 lenses:

"The second series were the 103 degree f8 wide angle lenses, only available in 90mm (Seikosha Rapid shutter). These were so good (and 25% lower in price) that Schneider redesigned their wide angles into the f5.6 8 element lenses."

Lynn worked with engineer/designer Manny Kiner of Ilex Optical to create the Caltar lenses.