Total barrel height and cell spacing of Taylor Hobson Cooke Wide Angle VIIB 8” f6.5

[mhayashi]

If you happen to have a sample of the lens in the title,
could you tell me the total height of the barrell for cell spacing?
I have got one today, mounted on a compound shutter with B&L label.
Thanks in advance for your reply.

[Hugo Zhang]

Non-working shutter. Were you able to take the elements off? Humidity damage and moisture trapped inside the shutter. I know this lens because I bought it and returned it. Carol couldn't fix it. You might find someone in Japan to fix it.

[mhayashi]

Dear Hugo,
yes, I noticed the shutter is broken. Gidou-san of Toyo camera service might fix it, otherwise I will remount the lens to another compound shutter or copal shutter.
I decided to keep the lens as it’s relatively in a good condition considering its age.
I was able to disassemble and clean both of the front and rear elements completely, using the rubber ring lens tool.

This 8” isn’t easy to find… as you know well!

[mhayashi]

I used the valuable new old stock silver rim copal 3 shutter with 10! aperture blades for these two lenses. Etsuko Shirai san beautifully mounted the two lenses on the new copal 3 shutter. Both of the aperture scales are engraved in parallel on the aperture plate, with the signature of VIIB 6 1/4” and VIIB 8”. The finish looks like a convertible lens.

[Hugo Zhang]

Nice!

[Greg]

Took me years to find one FS. Barrel was rather worn but fortunately glass was fine. S K Grimes adapted it in to the Copal #3. One of my favorite pieces of glass for my 11x14.

[mhayashi]

Thanks Greg for your help earlier.
What f number do you use for 11x14 with the 8” lens?
Karl also advised me to be careful to use this lens in backlit situations.

[Greg]

Thanks Greg for your help earlier.
What f number do you use for 11x14 with the 8” lens?
Karl also advised me to be careful to use this lens in backlit situations.

SK Grimes marked the apertures f/11, f/16, f/22, f/32, f/45, and f/64. Though the iris opens up a lot wider for focusing and down to an unmarked f/90. For me f/64 is my favorite aperture to use, but that is totally by habit and subjective on my part.

[mhayashi]

Thank you for your advice, Greg.