Gundlach Radar 12” anastigmat, a soft focus portrait lens?

[diversey]

I also got a Gundlach Radar 12” anastigmat lens when I bought the Century Master Studio Camera. When I cleaned and inspected the lens, I saw the front ring that keeps front lens elements in position in the front cell was not completely screwed in, two or three thread turns left behind, see the picture below. I was wondering if the former owner did it intentionally. From literature, the radar lens has 5 elements, 2 separated elements in the front cell and 3 cemented elements in the rear cell, see a picture below. I just felt a little odd about this lens.

[BrianShaw]

I use a 5x7 Radar lens. Definitely not intended to be soft focus. It is a variant of the Tessar design.

[BrianShaw]

The front cell retaining ring on mine stands a bit proud also. Now quite as much as yours, though.

[Tin Can]

Intentional aka uncorked

Somebody here was an expert on it

Jim Galli

I have factory Radar SF and the normal like yours

I only have one flange and they differ

[Louis Pacilla]

I have never seen factory Radar SF versions Randy can you post a photo of the lens just out of curiosity with maybe a side view that show the markings for soft focus separating the front group?

Thanks Randy in advance.

[BrianShaw]

I’ve never even heard of a “Radar SF version” lens. Gundlach made several SF lenses but none, to the best of my knowledge, was called Radar or used the Radar lens design. I’m interested in what Randy has too!

[Tin Can]

https://picclick.com/Gundlach-8x10-1...html?refresh=1


I will dig mine out tomorrow IF I remember

There was a big discussion here about unscrewing the rear as far as possible

One of mine is...

[Tracy Storer]

Same. The front ring on mine protrudes about 1mm (0.042")

The front cell retaining ring on mine (12" focus) stands a bit proud also. Now quite as much as yours, though.

[Vaidotas]

I also got a Gundlach Radar 12” anastigmat lens when I bought the Century Master Studio Camera. When I cleaned and inspected the lens, I saw the front ring that keeps front lens elements in position in the front cell was not completely screwed in, two or three thread turns left behind, see the picture below. I was wondering if the former owner did it intentionally. From literature, the radar lens has 5 elements, 2 separated elements in the front cell and 3 cemented elements in the rear cell, see a picture below. I just felt a little odd about this lens.

Jim Gali once wrote about pimping tessar in to softness realm by putting a spacer between first and second lens elements. He used molding wire as a spacer.
Ross Xpress (rarely seen in longer FL), Berthiot Olor has the same layout as Gundlach Radar if anyone looking for an alternative.
You can use rear cell only with almost the same FL as soft lens.

[diversey]

The protrusion of my lens is so significant 2-3mm at least. The front ring threads should not be shown. I was wondering either the front cell was modified or not put back correctly after cleaning.

Are there any photo examples available taken by modified Radar lens?