Longest Crown Graphic Portrait Lens?

[andy bessette]

What long (over 200mm) portrait lens would be most suitable for a crown graphic, given the short bellows draw, and fold-up requirement? Which was most commonly seen? Any thoughts?

best, andy

THERE'S MORE TO OPTICS THAN MEETS THE EYE

[Frank Petronio]

I know you can get a Rodenstock 210/6.8 Geronar in a Copal 1 inside one. The side mounted rangefinder Crowns have a little large space than the top rangefinder Crowns.

If it can hold that lens then it should be able to handle a Kodak 203/7.7.

[andy bessette]

Yo Frank,

this particular Crown has the top-mounted rangefinder. Think that'll matter?

best, andy

[Frank Petronio]

dunno...it is tight. I know longer have that lens but you could ask for dimensions -- the critical width in the Crown is the space between the rails clearing the diameter of the shutter.

[jnantz]

andy,


i used to have a 203mm in a raptar shutter, it could be folded
up in a speed graphic. i think it was an optar.

if you don't need to fold the lens up inside the box,
you can use a 10" lens without many problems.
if it is a tele design (like a teleoptar)
your bellows will be stretched out less than a non-tele design ...


-john

[andy bessette]

Thanks John,

I recently saw a tele-optar sell on oboy.

best, andy

THERE'S MORE TO OPTICS THAN MEETS THE EYE

[Jim Jones]

The tele designs are long, and a Crown might not close over one. As Frank says, the 203mm Ektar will certainly work, and is a sharp and versatile lens.

[andy bessette]

Thanks Jim,

203mm might be as long as it will accept.

best, andy

[Jim Galli]

There are some possibilities. There used to be a sliding back that gets clamped on by the Graflok sliders and it would give you 2 - 2 1/2 X 4 inch portraits on a single sheet of 4X5 film. That also gets the perspective better for lens focal lengths that you'll need to live with on that camera. I'd shop for a 210mm Heliar or even a 180mm Heliar for some really fine portraits. The Kodak 190mm f4.5 Ektar is a fine lens wide open for portraiture.

[Joseph O'Neil]

Dumb question -are you talking the longest lens a crown will carry, period, or the longest lens the Crown will carry when you fold it up, because I am not sure i am reading your question right.

If are asking about what lens it can carry the longest while open, I have a 15" Wollensak Tele-Raptar my Crown will carry, no problemo. Folded up, I dunno - most lenses in the 20mm or larger I have found where just to big/thick to fold up.

joe