Big Imagon lenses anybody use them?

[Tin Can]

Recently on eBay this 480mm Imagon sold. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rodenstock-Imagon-480mm-soft-focus-11x14-12x20-Deardorff-Rare-/221358292026?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3389fb7c3a

According to my literature these don't exist, but now there is a 420mm also for sale.

300mm Imagon and smaller are everywhere.

Does anybody have any info on these?

Anybody shoot them?

I notice the soft focus lens thread does not include this Imagon? Any reason?

[Mark Sawyer]

The biggest I've used, (though not enough!) is a 360mm Imagon, which I like a lot on 8x10. The 300mm also covers 8x10, though it could be argued the corners go too soft. With a soft lens, that may be a problem or not, (in my mind, usually not). I have a 480 I've never used patiently waiting in the wings, so they're out there, but very rare, as the sale price suggests.


...I notice the soft focus lens thread does not include this Imagon? Any reason?

Post 1022 of that thread:


Imagons are fairly common and a bit later lenses, so I haven't tracked them...

Best
Dan

It's Dan's thread, so his option! (Although the Imagon can be traced back to 1928.)

[russyoung]

There is, of course, literature on line about the longer Imagons. I scanned some material I own and sent it to Cameraeccentric: http://cameraeccentric.com/html/info/imagon_2.html

There is another brochure on the same site which includes a 360mm Imagon.

I have a 420 and its wonderful on an 8x10.

Russ Young

[Tin Can]

Thanks guys, the cameracentric site once again a great source.

Anybody know if a 480mm will cover 11x14, primarily for portrait?

I will be looking for 480mm Imagon later rather than sooner, but since I seem to be gathering mostly Rodenstock, I may as well keep at it.

Too bad I missed that last one. Cash always so elusive...

How did Mr Natural put it?

[Amedeus]

The Imagon 48 will cover roughly 10 x 12 at infinity and you can expect it to cover 11x14 at portrait distances.


Thanks guys, the cameracentric site once again a great source.

Anybody know if a 480mm will cover 11x14, primarily for portrait?

I will be looking for 480mm Imagon later rather than sooner, but since I seem to be gathering mostly Rodenstock, I may as well keep at it.

Too bad I missed that last one. Cash always so elusive...

How did Mr Natural put it?

[Bernice Loui]

360mm, 420mm, 480mm Imagons were made pre WW-II. Most were three disc.

The 300mm was made to the end of production in Copal shutter with two disc.

The 360mm, 420mm, 480mm were intended for 8x10 and the 480mm just covers 11x14 at head/shoulder portraits.

I have seen a 6 disc 480mm, which is rare.

The 420mm & 480mm were only offered in barrel, the 360mm in barrel or Compound# 5 shutter.


I have use all three focal lengths on 8x10. The 360mm is a bit short, the 420mm is better for most 8x10 portrait work much like the 360mm for 5x7.

IMO, Imagons (soft focus lenses in general) do not work well on formats smaller than 5x7. They can and will produce "bugs" which more than a few users dis-like a lot. It is possible these bugs from glare, spot high lights and.. are the reason why the Imagon has not been as popular as other soft focus lenses.


Bernice




Recently on eBay this 480mm Imagon sold. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rodenstock-Imagon-480mm-soft-focus-11x14-12x20-Deardorff-Rare-/221358292026?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3389fb7c3a

According to my literature these don't exist, but now there is a 420mm also for sale.

300mm Imagon and smaller are everywhere.

Does anybody have any info on these?

Anybody shoot them?

I notice the soft focus lens thread does not include this Imagon? Any reason?

[Tin Can]

Great information.

Thank you


360mm, 420mm, 480mm Imagons were made pre WW-II. Most were three disc.

The 300mm was made to the end of production in Copal shutter with two disc.

The 360mm, 420mm, 480mm were intended for 8x10 and the 480mm just covers 11x14 at head/shoulder portraits.

I have seen a 6 disc 480mm, which is rare.

The 420mm & 480mm were only offered in barrel, the 360mm in barrel or Compound# 5 shutter.


I have use all three focal lengths on 8x10. The 360mm is a bit short, the 420mm is better for most 8x10 portrait work much like the 360mm for 5x7.

IMO, Imagons (soft focus lenses in general) do not work well on formats smaller than 5x7. They can and will produce "bugs" which more than a few users dis-like a lot. It is possible these bugs from glare, spot high lights and.. are the reason why the Imagon has not been as popular as other soft focus lenses.


Bernice

[Tin Can]

Good to know I may be on the right track!


The Imagon 48 will cover roughly 10 x 12 at infinity and you can expect it to cover 11x14 at portrait distances.

[Mark Sawyer]

I'd imagine the 480mm Imagon covers quite a bit more than that. Even the 250mm Imagon illuminates a full 8x10.

[Tin Can]

The Imagon thread has some new info. Linhof claimed the 300mm was good for 5x7".


I'd imagine the 480mm Imagon covers quite a bit more than that. Even the 250mm Imagon illuminates a full 8x10.