Late reply, sorry.
The 15" f5.6 Wollensak-Teles were mostly made for the F-8 5x7" Aerial Reconnaissance Cameras which were in use from 1929/30 onwards (also came in 240mm Xenar versions) and were the most common WWII aerial camera. These lenses are the black-barrel/external-thread-on-the-front-cell versions. After being amazed by the quality of my first version - an early uncoated mil.spec. lens - I now have a late, brushed chrome, coated version (with a lovely, matching Wollensak cap) which I just screwed into a #4 Alphax shutter. Here is a lith scan of an original face, which you're welcome to print out and stick on your Betax shutter if it fits.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37082363@N08/7361505912/
I've quickly measured the barrel iris and also my Alphax aperture diameters to confirm for you: f5.6 = 42mm; f8 =30mm; f11=21mm; f16=14mm; f22=10mm f32=6mm; f45=3mm.
I agree with Kevin. You need a standard, but long-throw cable-release with a fairly solid tip. Out of seven or so releases I had, about half worked, so I just got rid of the flimsy ones, since I have a number of Alphax/Betax shuttered lenses.
PS: I'd be happy to get a bulk order going with SK Grimes to make a decent filter adapter ring for the odd 3.057"?? or 78.5mm?? of that lens (about its only drawback) as my Lee clamp arrangement is less than elegant. Optically, logic would dictate getting an 86mm step-up ring made, but there is plenty of image circle for 5x7" and I'd love to have it barrel-flush, so I'd choose a slim 77mm reduction, if that is technically feasible instead, unless anyone else has a better idea (?).
Lastly, I would like to temper E. von Hoegh's comment "not a high value lens" by stating that IMO it may not be a high
price lens, but it is actually tremendous
value; optically it seems to compare with e.g. the 14" Commercial Ektar and that is a great lens. -So, the 15"f5.6 is to me another sleeper, like so many Wollensaks.
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