Which wideangle for a Crown Graphic?

[Tilman Drobik]

Hi guys. First post.

I´m waiting for my Crown Graphic beeing delivered. It will come with a Schneider 135 f4,7 Xenar. Can´t wait until I hold it in my hands.
I intend to do some landscape, reporting as well as architecture projects (although shift is limited).
Which wideangle -not sooo superwide- would serve the camera? On graflex.org I read that a 65mm would do fine.
Which brand and what specifications should I search for when trying to purchase a used one.

Thanks alot.

Tilman

[johnielvis]

65 IS superwide on 4x5...you need newer ones to cover 4x5 though...the 65 f8 superangulon JUST barely covers stopped down

[Tilman Drobik]

Yes, of course you´re right. 65mm is too wide. Just looked it up. I suppose for my purpose a 90mm would suit very well.

Wich would you recommend? And how about the lensplate for a Crown Graphic? Do I just buy a spare one and try to mount the lens in it? I suppose not.

Thanks

Tilman

[Kevin Crisp]

The 90mm Angulon is a classic lens to use on a crown, but even with a later version movement is barely any. Some sample are very sharp to the corners. I'd try a serial number in the 7's or above. They are very small and easily fold up in the camera.

There are lots of 90mm lenses around with more coverage that would allow you to use lots of front rise. All the big 4 manufacturers have excellent lenses in this focal length and used ones abound. It is more convenient to have two lens boards for the camera so you don't have to take one lens off the board you have, then reinstall the other. The wire frame finder will automatically adjust for the longer lens if you don't want to compose on the ground glass.

[Jim Noel]

A 90mmm Angulon, not Super Angulon, was the standard for this camera for years. It allows the camera to fold with the lens mounted. You will need a lens board with a hole drilled to a diameter suitable for the shutter of the 90 mm lens. Mounting is a piece of cake, and easily done by anyone, so long as the lens comes with a retaining ring.

[Frank Petronio]

They are usually in shutters that are the same diameter as the popular current Copal 0 (even if they are the older Compurs).

Look for the later model Angulons (serial > 6million) and stop it down to f/22 and it is as sharp as anything else. Just not a lot of movement, but the Crown isn't the camera to use for movements anyway.

You can mount a large modern $1500 90mm lens on a Crown but it seems a little silly. A $200 Angulon is a nice match.

[Kevin Crisp]

or you could buy Frank's 120mm lens....

[Dan Fromm]

Tilman, good luck with your new old camera.

The 4x5 Crown's limiting dimension for wide angle lenses is its minimum flange-to-film distance. 52.4 mm. If you want to use a 90 or a modern 65, this should be no problem. Look on manufacturers' sites or search around to find lenses' minimum flange-to-film distances.

Jim Noel suggested a 90/6.8 Angulon. As he said, the camera can be closed with the lens on it. This is also true for the 88/6.8 Bausch & Lomb and 90/6.8 Raptar (straight from Wollensak)/Optar (from Wollensak via Graflex). The B&L and Wolly lenses are functionally equivalent to the 90 Angulon and are contemporary with your camera.

Another US-made alternative is the 100/6.3 Wide Field Ektar. Harder to find than, probably pricer than, a 90 Angulon or Raptar. The 100/6.3 Aristostigmat is similar, usually sells for less but isn't always offered in shutter. I have one in barrel; ok lens but because it has no shutter and can't be put in one inexpensively mine isn't what you want.

Don't buy a board until you have your wide angle lens in hand. This because the holes in boards are sized for specific shutters. A board with a hole too small for your new lens' shutter can be rebored. A board with a hole too large can't be used easily or inexpensively.

Used, also NOS and new reproduction, boards are offered on ebay. www.skgrimes.com stocks them and can drill them, www.mpex.com used to, may still, stock them but can't drill.

[Tilman Drobik]

Well, thank´s alot for your quick and very helpful relies!! Great!

Cheers Tilman

[IanG]

Like Frank and Jim suggest the 90mm f6.8 angulon is a good lens on a Crown (or Speed) Graphic. However you must take care to find a good one some of the earlier ones aren't as sharp, I know Kevin's made a point about later serial no's being OK and my own experience is the same - I've used 3 but my current one is excellent.

The 90mm Angulon and the 135mm Xenar both have very limited coverage and neither are ideal for architectural work with movements. I've been using a 90mm f5.6 Super Angulon on my Crown & Super Graphic and it wasn't too expensive ($200), I also now use a 135mm 5.6 Caltar (Symmar).

The best place for lens boards id Heavystar on ebay, he sells 3 new boards for about the same price some sell individual S?H boards on Ebay.

Ian