The optimal aperture for an Ektar 127mm f4.7...??

[Enrico]

What is the optimal aperature for a Kodak Ektar 127mm f4.7?

I plan to use it with no movements (or maybe just slights movements). I cheked out graflex.org and everything seems to be 'just great' over there.

Can anyone share personal experiences?

Thankyou ~ Enrico.

[MIke Sherck]

I haven't made quantitative tests but I've used my 127/4.7 Ektar regularly over the past several years. Internet postings aside, it's rather surprising the movements I get on my B&J 4x5 with this lens. The B&J is a 5x7 with a 4x5 back and with the Ektar the bellows is squeezed pretty tightly but I can use front rise, tilt, and swing quite a bit and still stay in coverage. As for sharpness, I tend to shoot it at f/22 or f/32 and it's quite sharp at those apertures. I seem to remember reading somewhere that for this lens design it may be sharpest at about f/11 or so, but I haven't used mine at that aperture.

[Mark Sampson]

Somewhere on this site ther'es a chart of dozens of lens tests someone did. I think the 127 is on it. When I used one it was always at f/22 or 32. I thought it was good enough but when I got a 135 Wide Field Ektar I retired the 127 for good. My 127 came off a 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 Speed Graphic, by the way.

[Darin Cozine]

WOW did you see the WF ektar on ebay right now? 3872196089 its at $220!