Goerz Dagor information needed please

[threebythree]

Hi all,

I am completely new to LF photography but have recently acquired a Goerz Dagor Series III f6.8 6.5" lens set in an Ica Dresden Compur Shutter. Serial number on both elements is 313368, which I think dates it to around 1914?

My questions are:

1. What camera can this be used on (sorry for the potentially very broad answers this may bring)

2. How do I clean it (there are no scratches, and very few spots)

3. If it turns out to be a good copy, what is it's value?

Many thanks for your help

[IanG]

It'll fit many cameras, any 5"x4", 9x12cm, Quarter plate, even a 7"x5" or half plate stopped down to f16, so it's very versatile.

I use optical cleaning fluid with care on lenses like this. My own 12" Dagor came with what was described as separation but in fact was just many years accumulated dirt around the edges of the elements and a good clean worked winders.

As to price it's best to check completed sales on Ebay, they are very variable. Location makes a difference as well.

Ian

[Steven Tribe]

Dagors were a enormous success and sold over 100,000 examples!
Most are given with the mm/cm focal length - so look for prices of 150mm series III or Dagor proper.
The front and rear cells should screw out quite easily - there are no internal air spaces.

[CCHarrison]

If you go to my page on Goerz lenses, you will see a catalogue page and information for this lens:

http://antiquecameras.net/1904goerzlensads.html

Dan

[E. von Hoegh]

Dagors were a enormous success and sold over 100,000 examples!
Most are given with the mm/cm focal length - so look for prices of 150mm series III or Dagor proper.
The front and rear cells should screw out quite easily - there are no internal air spaces.

If the OP's lens is marked in inches, and is genuine, it is Goerz New York production. They called the 6.5" a No. 1a, it was intended for Kodak and other folders as an upgrade.

[IanG]

If the shutter's original then it'll be a GGoerz lens made in Germany for sale in the UK/Empire or one of the former Colonies and sold fitted to an Ica camera. The Compur has a serila number as well which could be checked.

Ian

[threebythree]

If the OP's lens is marked in inches, and is genuine, it is Goerz New York production. They called the 6.5" a No. 1a, it was intended for Kodak and other folders as an upgrade.

Yep - it does have 1a on the barrel as well

[Leigh]

If the OP's lens is marked in inches, and is genuine, it is Goerz New York production.

Not necessarily true.

My 8¼" Gold Dot Dagor was made in Switzerland. Imprint is Goerz Optical Co. Inc., sn 20024xx.

The lens was the only lens in a Plaubel Profia complete kit, so I'm sure it's original.

- Leigh

[E. von Hoegh]

Not necessarily true.

My 8¼" Gold Dot Dagor was made in Switzerland. Imprint is Goerz Optical Co. Inc., sn 20024xx.

- Leigh

You're right, but with a serial # in the 300,000 range it's New York.

[E. von Hoegh]

If the shutter's original then it'll be a GGoerz lens made in Germany for sale in the UK/Empire or one of the former Colonies and sold fitted to an Ica camera. The Compur has a serila number as well which could be checked.

Ian

The genuine Goerz Berlin lenses were never marked in inches. The B&J remounts were.