800mm Apo Ronar CL. Any good ?

[Daniel Grenier]

I am considering a Rodenstock Apo-Ronar-CL 800mm for my 7x17. Is this lens any good ? I already have a 480 Apo Ronar so I assume it is an equal performer - right?

Also, what would those 800s go for (in barrel) these days.

Thanks

[John Jarosz]

What's the bellows extension you have available?

I have the 600mm. With the back extension on my Kodak 2D, the closest I can get to a subject is about 9 feet (the camera has maybe 31" of bellows draw). The 800 mm will need 35" of bellows length for infinity.

It would be a cool lens for that format(mine too), but the length of the camera assembly might be a little unwieldy for my taste. Performance wise, the lens should be a great additon.

John

[Armin Seeholzer]

They are sharper then any woman or man ever can be!!!

Cheers Armin

[Vaughn]

Daniel, let me know if you are interested in a 600mm version instead of the 800mm.

Vaughn

[Steve Hamley]

Be sure you know how big the 800mm CL is if you've never actually seen one.

Cheers,

Steve

[Tracy Storer]

Apo-Ronars are excellent, like Steve said, know what you're getting into size-wise. I had an A-R 800/9.....it weighed 8 pounds.
I now have an A-R 760 f/14, much more manageable. There are different versions, all great, just watch the max aperture.

[Daniel Grenier]

Apo-Ronars are excellent, like Steve said, know what you're getting into size-wise. I had an A-R 800/9.....it weighed 8 pounds.
I now have an A-R 760 f/14, much more manageable. There are different versions, all great, just watch the max aperture.

Wow ! Is that thing really 8 pounds? Didn't realize it was that heavy. Maybe I should indeed re-adjust my wants to a 760.

[Steve Hamley]

Look for a lens that has a smaller maximum aperture, like a 30" or 35" f:12.5 Artar. The smaller maximum aperture makes it much smaller and lighter, if you can even use the those words with these lenses.

BTW, I was thinking about physical size also, the 800mm A-R is probably nearly 6" across the barrel, the size of a small saucer, then add another inch for the flange.

Cheers,

Steve

[8x10 user]

I thought the apo ronars with a smaller maximum aperture were of a 6 or 8 element design and weighed more then the standard 4 element version. This is the case with my 1000mm F/16 which is heavier then my 4 element 1200mm.

[John Jarosz]

As a sidelight to this thread, check out this item# on ebay: 120333294224

1800mm Apo Ronar. I didn't know they came that big.
No affiliation, I just wanted to point out the curiosity,

I written the seller to ask the weight and diameter, but no response yet.

John