"Speed Lens" for RB Graflex Super D

[Frank Petronio]

Now that I'm a Graflex convert, I'm wondering what is out there as a "do-able" fast lens alternative to the standard 190mm/5.6 Ektar? Not that the Ektar is a bad lens but I sure would love an extra stop or more for indoor available light photos. I have the auto diaphragm model with 12-inches of bellows. How hard is it to find a diaphragm hardware and lensboards? I never see them on eBay...

Somehow I don't think that an Aero-Ektar is going to squeeze in there, as awesome as it would be!

BTW, I am getting calluses from all those darn knobs to twist!

[Peter C. McDonough]

Try Lens&Repro

[domenico Foschi]

Dallmeyer pentac, Tessar 210 3.5, or a petval, 3.5.

[Ed Richards]

Or use push the film - if you are hand holding, your basic limit of sharpness is not that good, so the grain will not hurt.

[Jerry Fusselman]

Xenotar 150mm or 210mm f/2.8?

[Frank Petronio]

I suspect that deviating far from the 190mm focal length won't be healthy for portraits, unless I do things like using an extended "top hat" board with a ~ 210 or 240.

Yes, I know Lens & Repro is the easy way out, but if I'm patient and learn what to look for I can probably find a similar lens for 30-50% of the L&R price. I'm not in any big hurry, I just want to have fun and not break the bank (or marriage...)

Have people been successful in adapting the auto-diaphragm hardware to lenses other than the 190 Ektar? Or is that a one of a kind deal?

Thanks again

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Domenico's suggestions are right on, I would only add to his list a 210 or 240 Heliar. Note that the lensboards are pretty small, so make sure they fit before you buy. Also the minimum draw is quite restricting, so a 150 Xenotar won't focus on infinity (or even 10 feet). A 210 Xenotar? Yeah, right. Only eight or so were made.

I doubt you will get the auto-diaphragm to work on any other lens.

[jnantz]

frank

i have a tessar 21cm f3.8 and love it.
i don't have a super, but a series d ... so i don't know
if it will work or anything about the hardware. maybe seth
at camera eccentric.com has a lens and knows abou the hardware ?
he was selling super d's for a while there ..

good luck!
john

[Paul Ewins]

Frank,
I realise you were probably joking about the Areo Ektar, but...

I tried the 178 Aero Ektar on my 4x5 Auto Graflex and couldn't clear the mirror at any sort of sensible working distance. However I think the Series D and Super D might have a more compact mirror and shutter arrangement. I can't get infinity with a 210mm lens, yet yours uses a 190mm.

I was thinking of replacing the bellows with a bag bellows to cope with the extra width of the Aero Ektar. I was planning to build a new front standard out of steel with the lens solidly mounted to it. Have a play and see if it looks like it will work. If you can focus to 8 or 10 feet then it could be an awesome portrait camera. I'd certainly be adding series D to my Graflex stable if that was the case.

[Frank Petronio]

Oh that sounds like too much work!

I'm just going to keep my eyes open for lenses but spend my time on shooting, not shopping. The auto-diaphragm hardly matters -- the whole idea is shoot wide open anyway.

Have many of you upgraded to a brighter viewing screen? I see L & R offers to install a Beattie for only $400 ;-)

I get the impression that only rich Euro fashion togs shop there...