165mm (6 1/2") f:6.3 Ilex-Calumet lens

[Juergen Sattler]

I just picked up this 165mm f:6.3 Ilex-Calumet lens on the auction site for $35. It was advertised as a real dog, but the lens looks actually very good and the shutter (a Seikosha-SLV) sounds pretty accurate. Does anyone know anything about this lens? I looked for info on the web but came up empty.

[Jim Galli]

A bargain any day for $35. The shutter is worth 3 times that. I've used one on 5X7. Forced and it doesn't really cover the format but the pics were spectacular. The one I had was hardly a dog. Made by Ilex and sold by Calumet of Chicago. It's a Tessar type, coated, and a fine performer.