Ektar 203 or Geronar/Caltar 210/6.8?

[Ole Tjugen]

Not to hijack the thread but Ole, what is the difference except speed between the two Xenars? I have the 210 4.5 but no experience with the f6.1

The 4.5 is an older model, which fits in a Compound #3. The newer 6.1 fits in a Copal #1. It also has slightly better coverage, and the sharpness (of the 6.1) is second to none.

[David Karp]

Good advice on the Xenar. Another alternative is the 210mm f/6.1 Caltar Pro, which is a Xenar made by Schneider for Calumet Photographic. I have one of these. I also have a Caltar II-E 210mm, which lives full time on my Crown Graphic. The difference is when the lenses are shot at more open apertures. See Chris Perez's 210mm lens shootout: http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/test/BigMash210.html.

[David Karp]

Oh yeah, make sure if you look for a Caltar Pro, don't get the f/6.3 version. I think this was made by Komamura. May be a good lens, may not be, I don't know. But for sure it is not a Xenar.

[vijaylff]

Thanks everyone for the ideas and input. Looks like I have a few more options to research.

-Vijay

[Jim Noel]

Personally I would go for the 203 Ektar. It has tremendous coverage when stopped down, I have used it on 8x10. Sharp, lightweight, and the filter problem can be overcome using a slip-on to 52mm adapter. Plus, I lige the old shutter if it is in good condition.

[Dave Wooten]

"The 203mm Ektar lens if of symmetrical, air-spaced construction, which adapts it especially to close work.

Its most unusual characteristic is that maximum definition is attained at its maximum aperture."

Copied from page 31 of Graphic Graflex Photography 10th edition 1954 by Willard D. Morgan and Henry M. Lester and 18 contributors, including Ansel Adams, Rudolf Kingslake, and others of note, a good book if you can find it.