355 G Claron on FS 7x17

[Smitty]

I seem to be racked out at max extension with this lens. Anyone have experience using one of these?
Also have a G Claron 305, looks like it might cover ok.

Steve

[Thom Bennett]

How far are you from the subject? Do you have the rear extension for the camera? At close to infinity I use a 450mm with the rear extension and still have some room for more.

[karl french]

F&S 7x17 should have plenty of room for the 355 G-Claron in most situations. I use mine all the time, but not for anything like close ups. Mostly for middle distance scenes. The 305 should be great for closer work. That's generally when I go for the 12" Dagor.

Thom: There is no rear extension on a F&S 7x17. Though the camera can just barely handle the Nikkor M 450 at infinity.

[Smitty]

Regarding the 355 G Claron, it is currently in the barrel. I picked up a new Copal 3 but the threading on the lens is a tad smaller than the shutter. I can have SKG fit it but was wondering if there is a shutter that I could screw directly into? My 305 G Claron went from barrel directly into Copal 1.
Be nice to do that with the 355 G Claron and save on the machining expense if I could find a shutter that fit. I have noticed in older ads with the 355 fitted to a Copal 3.

[Lachlan 717]

I think that you might have a Copal 3s, not Copal 3.

The 355mm should be a direct fit into a Copal 3.

As for the 355mm on 7x17, buckets of room. I use one a lot on my Korona. Super lens.

[Thom Bennett]

Oops, missed that this question was for a Folmer-Schwing. I was referring to a Korona. Never mind.

[Smitty]

How can you tell the difference from a Copal 3 and 3s?
At least indoors I am racked right out to full extension with the 355 just starting to come into focus..
Steve

[Smitty]

I guess Korona has longer extension capability?

[Thom Bennett]

Yes, the Korona has a detachable rear extension. Sounds like you need to use the 305mm since you are shooting indoors.

[Len Middleton]

With the rear extension attached, my Korona 8x20 Panoramic View has 32" of bellows draw.

Possibly their 7x17 might be in the same range.

[karl french]

I believe the Korona 7x17 has 28" of possible extension with the rear track. There are times when I'd like to have that, but for 90% of my shots the F&S does just fine. Based on how I used my Fuji GX617 (with the 180mm most of the time) I knew the F&S with something in the 420-450mm range would be the right combo.

[Lachlan 717]

The difference between the 3 and the 3s is discussed here:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?29134-What-is-the-difference-Copal-No-3-Vs-3s

[Michael Kadillak]

Cries, you hardly need any bellows even at modest macro applications with the 355 G Claron. I use this lens on 8x20 regularly and it covers like a big dog. Just remember to stop down beyond f22 to excise some optical aberrations that come along for the ride with this lens. Sharp and contrasty.

[don12x20]

Simple formula -- non-telephoto construction lenses (check by looking through front and rear of lens - are the aperatures the same size? If so its not telephoto design ...and the 355 G-claron is not one):

Focus at infinity will be equal to lens focal length. Focus at 1:1 will be 2x focal length.
So your 355mm lens will focus at infinity at bellos at 355mm (14 inches). at 1:1 the bellows will be racked out to 710mm (28 inches).

Someone said your camera has 28inches of bellows --- you should be fine with the 355

yes there is slight variation in lens focal length, and you only approximate the nodal point of the lens as the shutter....but you won't be far off.

The 450 will require 17 3/4 at infinity and would require 35 1/2 inches of bellows at 1:1.

[karl french]

This thread is discussing the Folmer & Schwing 7x17 camera, which does not have a rear extension track, like the Korona. 17 vs. 28 inches of bellows extension.
You calculations about infinity & 1:1 work fail to take into account that the flange focal length is often shorter than the stated focal length of the lens. The Nikkor-M 450mm has a flange focal length of 428.4mm.

[Don12x20x]

Karl
"...fail to take into account that the flange focal length is often shorter than the stated focal length of the lens:"
exactly why I stated the flange focal length is often shorter than the stated focal length of the lens - exactly why
Schneider lists the flange focal distance for the 355 G-Claron as 350mm. A difference of 3/16inch. Not going to make any difference to the statement above.

I apparently missed the 17 inch restriction...

[karl french]

I missed that. Sorry. But it's moot with the F&S. The G-Claron is quite close in terms of flange focal length to nominal focal length.

[Smitty]

I took the FS 7x17 outside and set it up. There is plenty of room with the 355 G Claron, the 305 also works with more of a wide-angle feel to it.
The camera is in nice shape but needs a new bellows. Custom Bellows can make one for me.
Question: I am noticing on both G Clarons are showing white specs where the glass meets the mounts. I am sure this is nothing...
Some years ago I noticed that some Schneiders would develop a fog in the lens elements (Schneideritis?). These lenses are both very clear. I need to get the 355 mounted into a shutter.
Steve

[Lachlan 717]

Schneideritis is not fogging. It is a crazing of the black flocking paint within the cell.

It should not cause any impact on imaging.

[Smitty]

So strictly where the glass meets the mount, will not spread beyond that? Cant see how it would.

[Lachlan 717]

Different paint at that point. So, no,not shouldn't go further.

Google "Schneideritis" and you'll get a heap of info and opinion on it, mostly saying it doesn't make any difference.

[Lachlan 717]

Smitty,

Not sure if you've seen this thread (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?125536-G-Claron-amp-other-process-lenses), but it will give you more information on the G Clarons.

In relation to 7x17, have a look at post #32.

[Lachlan 717]

And, here is another image shot on 7x17" with the 355mm G Claron. (https://www.facebook.com/102961949752391/photos/a.107508819297704.3783.102961949752391/417069488341634/?type=3&theater)

[karl french]

It's a great lens. One of those lenses/focal lengths I didn't think I'd like that much, but as it turns out, I've really connected with it. It sees more use on the 10x12 camera than the 7x17, but it's definitely a keeper.

[Smitty]

Absolutely beautiful images, are you using strictly 355 G Claron? I also have a 305 G Claron.

Am in the process of rebuilding may FS 7x17, camera is in real nice condition but bellows is shot. I am going to send bellows out to Custom Bellows, they did a great ob on my Deardorff bellows.

Steve

[Lachlan 717]

Nah; one lens would not be flaggelistic enough for me!

I've got a 240mm, 355mm, 450mm and just received a 539mm lens yesterday.

I've planned a trip to an area of big vistas, so thought that the longer FL might be handy. Wish I'd got that 200mm Grandagon the other day...