Anyone had experience with this Goerz Lens ?

[DennisD]

I "inherited" this lens with some other equipment several years ago. I've never had a chance to use it, but wanted to investigate whether anyone has had experience with such a lens.

The lens is a Goerz Gotar" f8 - 16.5" very nicely mounted in a Copal #3 shutter with an aperture range of f8 thru f90 and shutter speeds up to 1/125 sec.

From what I've learned so far, from old Goerz literature, is that this is a process type lens for copying, enlarging and photo engraving. However, the previous owner had it professionally mounted in a new Copal #3 shutter and Deardorff lens board. He no doubt used it for general photography. The original Goerz specs indicate this lens would cover 11x14 at f8 and 16x20 at f16, so I would assume it's good for an 8x10 with plenty of movement.

Please fill in any details you might know. Thanks in advance. Following are some photos:

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/goerz_IMG_1082.jpg

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/goerz_IMG_1084.jpg

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/goerz_IMG_1087.jpg

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/goerz_IMG_1089.jpg

[Bill_1856]

I know nothing about it, but it certainly is a handsome beast!

[neil poulsen]

Interesting. The 3rd photo and the serial number suggest that it's factory coated. Is this the case?

Give a try and see what you get.

[DennisD]

It appears to be coated. Forgot to mention that.

I'd love to try it but do not have a large enough camera (8x10) and film.

BTW, Neil, interesting that you said the serial # indicated it was coated. Is there any more that the serial number might reveal.

[Dan Fromm]

According to this http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/goerz_3.html (see p. 24) it is an Artar type and the 16.5 incher covers 11x14 at infinity. Since the text doesn't say that it is apochromatic it probably isn't.

[John Kasaian]

Goerz made very fine lenses, and a previous owner thought this one was good enough to put into a new Copal Shutter---that's a good omen, no?

[djdister]

It appears to be coated. Forgot to mention that.

I'd love to try it but do not have a large enough camera (8x10) and film.

BTW, Neil, interesting that you said the serial # indicated it was coated. Is there any more that the serial number might reveal.

If you send it to me, I'll try it on an 8x10 camera :rolleyes:

[DennisD]

According to this http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/goerz_3.html (see p. 24) it is an Artar type and the 16.5 incher covers 11x14 at infinity. Since the text doesn't say that it is apochromatic it probably isn't.

Thanks Dan Fromm for the reference - it's better than the older one I found. It also said, "Suitable for photographing furniture, automobiles and machinery" !



Goerz made very fine lenses, and a previous owner thought this one was good enough to put into a new Copal Shutter---that's a good omen, no?

That's what I thought - I'm sure he must have tested it out before spending a good amount to have it mounted on the Copal. The lens/shutter mounting is beautifully done. They even made custom turned lens caps front and back to go with the lens.


If you send it to me, I'll try it on an 8x10 camera :rolleyes:

Thanks, Dan. That's a kind offer I'd like to consider.

=============================

Regards and Thanks to all,

Dennis

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

The serial number is a little early for factory coating (after 770,000 as I recall), but it clearly looks coated. I would guess that this was aftermarket coated, perhaps by Burke & James.

[Drew Wiley]

I thought Gotars were their discount line of stat camera lenses way back when. Can you see how the elements are assembled, whether all air-spaced or tessar style?

[Ken Lee]

http://www.kenleegallery.com/images/forum/Gotar.png

There's a nice description of the Gotar in this Goerz Catalog from October 1, 1916 (http://www.cameramanuals.org/prof_pdf/goerz-1.pdf), complete with cross-section. The lens consists of "two symmetrical un-cemented combinations" and is recommended for "copying, enlarging, general commercial work and photo engraving." The catalog also provides recommended coverage.

[Dan Fromm]

I thought Gotars were their discount line of stat camera lenses way back when. Can you see how the elements are assembled, whether all air-spaced or tessar style?

Drew, the catalog doesn't give a cross-section, instead says "Illustration similar to that of ARTAR"

[Drew Wiley]

Therefore its come kind of process celor or dialyte. I don't know if the coverage will be all that astounding, but it should be sufficient for most 8x10 shooting. I would just go out and try it. Some of these older lenses have interesting qualities. It will probably be quite sharp, but less contrasty than more modern equivalents.