Originally Posted by
jbenedict
You know, I'm really not sure what you mean by "looking new".
Most all of the manufacturers such as Nikon, Fuji, Rodenstock and Schneider are pretty much out of the film lens business now. One particular lens made by these manufacturers in the last fifty years should look the same as any copies of the same lens if the lens is in good physical and operational condition.
Of all the films available, Ektar 100 is probably the newest formulation. In sheet film, Ektar is less than 10 years old, being introduced in 2010. EK says it has been reformulated to be "good for scanning" but I'm not sure what that means. I have a feeling that, eventually, the only Kodak film available in all sizes, shapes and kinds will be Ektar. I've been proven wrong, though. I used to think that Tri-X would only be gone if they closed the door on the whole place. Some Tri-X is gone and the rest appears to be on life support.
I'm not really sure what effect it is that you are trying to get. A black and white photograph, taken with a Speed Graphic, lit by a big #25 flash bulb is pretty noticeable. Comparing an image made by an old uncoated lens will have a different look from a modern multicoated lens but there are techniques to make the difference very slight- use of a lens hood for one. But, the visible difference between a 210/5.6 Symmar made 30 years ago and one made the last time Schneider made a 210/5.6 Symmar would either be very slight or imaginary.
Bookmarks