What was the last year for 14-inch Commercial Ektars?

**Mark Sampson** · 13-Jul-2011, 05:51

I dug out my 14" CE (I should use my 8x10), and it was actually made in 1966. So Mr. Jones is correct, no surprise there. I worked at Kodak (in an industrial photo department) for many years, starting in the mid-80's, and of course there were plenty of Kodak lenses around. But the 14" lens we used there was one of the Ilex-Caltars (a superb lens by the way).

**William Whitaker** · 1-Aug-2011, 18:30

Originally Posted by Lynn Jones

...The 6.3 Caltars were in 165mm, 215mm, 250mm, 305mm, and 375mm....

Lynn,

I have a 375mm ƒ/6.3 lens marked "Orbit". Do you know who sold Orbit? Was that a Calumet brand? Was it the same lens as the Caltar? My experience comparing the Orbit to a 14" Commercial Ektar on 8x10 color transparency film is that except for the slight magnification difference, I can't tell them apart.

**John NYC** · 1-Aug-2011, 19:36

[QUOTE=Will Whitaker;758552]Lynn,

I have a 375mm ƒ/6.3 lens marked "Orbit". Do you know who sold Orbit? Was that a Calumet brand? Was it the same lens as the Caltar? My experience comparing the Orbit to a 14" Commercial Ektar on 8x10 color transparency film is that except for the slight magnification difference, I can't tell them apart.

That is one snazzy lens!

**rdenney** · 1-Aug-2011, 20:23

Originally Posted by Will Whitaker

Lynn,

I have a 375mm ƒ/6.3 lens marked "Orbit". Do you know who sold Orbit? Was that a Calumet brand? Was it the same lens as the Caltar?

Yes, it is the same lens as the Ilex-Caltar. Remember that Ilex made these lenses, with Calumet as their main but not only customer. They were also sold under other brands. I don't have my copy of the Vade Mecum handy, but I'm sure they were sold as Burke and James lenses. B&J sold their version of the Kodak Master View (which was also the progenitor of the Calumet CC-400) as an "Orbit" camera. There were also larger models. It makes sense that their version of the Ilex lens would be similarly branded.

Were I to show you a picture of my Ilex-Caltar 12" lens, you would see how similar it is to yours immediately.

Rick "and, yes, these are excellent lenses" Denney

**William Whitaker** · 1-Aug-2011, 20:58

Of course, Burke & James! I knew I'd heard the name "Orbit" before!

**grahamcase** · 5-Aug-2011, 02:28

I can't wait to get my lens board complete! I've been dying to use mine since I got it a couple of months ago, but had to get the shutter repaired first. Luckily, I got a fantastic deal on the lens ($30!!) so getting the shutter fixed for ~$200 was an easy pill to swallow.

Mines from 1947 (ES646).