Barrel lenses for Speed Graphic

[Amfooty]

I got my speed graphic up and running and want to know everyones favorite lens to use on the camera. Of course there's the Aero Ektar, but I haven't had a chance to actually try one out.

[Dan Fromm]

Barrel lenses? Speed Graphic? Anything that covers the format and that will focus to infinity and usefully closer. There are too many to list.

And don't overlook lenses in broken shutters.

[jp]

What's your style?

[jim10219]

I specifically bought a Speed Graphic for the focal plane shutter so I could use old Petzval lenses with it. I've also considered using some homemade meniscus lenses with it, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

[Winger]

Someone I know took apart a set of binoculars and sent me one of the bottom sections. I glued it to a lensboard and it does work. I added a quasi-waterhouse stop to make it kinda f8 - ish. There might be more out of focus than in, but the right subject can look cool.

172509

[jnantz]

i love using junk folder lenses !

[Amfooty]

This is my work, but I'm open to experimenting--especially with old lenses.

https://www.alexcaval.co

I realize there are a ton of options--just sort of trying to find a good place to start looking for lenses that are more off the beaten track and might yield interesting results!

[jp]

I've used a bunch.. One of the things you'll find in old barrel lenses is that the apertures are more often rounder than shuttered lenses typical of the 1950's onward. This alone makes for a smoother rendering of the background, through there are many variables that affect that and this is but one. Get a fishing reel case to store the mounted lenses. If you are handy with a table saw (or hand tools), you can make lensboards as needed.

planatograph (cheap Rapid Rectilinear) which is at the same time well behaved and gently vintage looking. Came off of some old folder most likely.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13759696@N02/8671910282/

Trioplan (triplet) in LF have much smoother bokeh than the hyped recent 35mm remake.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13759696@N02/7827280602/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13759696@N02/7355626606/

Reinhold Wollaston Menisicus; soft or smooth as you want. Slightly lower contrast than some of the expensive soft focus lenses.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13759696@N02/8874099797/
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=13759696%40N02&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=reinhold

Various ancient soft focus lenses.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=13759696%40N02&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=verito
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=13759696%40N02&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=hyperion

Tessars... Old tessars with round apertures have a very nice 1930's-1940's look to the images. Sort of authentic look and great for portraits too.

One thing I haven't used much is the petzval. Inexpensive ones don't have apertures. Ones with apertures cost good money and I'm not adding lenses at the moment. If I want swirl, I'll use my Aero Ektar wide open.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Schneider Componons make excellent taking lenses (if you desire something more modern) and are generally a lot of lens for the money.

I have a complete set of the chrome Componons and they are all excellent performers.

Here's the big 300mm Componon mounted on one of my Plaubel Makiflexes.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8733/28322964803_846672315f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/K9NAFn)Makiflex Bellows Attachment (https://flic.kr/p/K9NAFn) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

[Patiencebuiltbyhand]

Schneider Componons make excellent taking lenses (if you desire something more modern) and are generally a lot of lens for the money.

I have a complete set of the chrome Componons and they are all excellent performers.

Here's the big 300mm Componon mounted on one of my Plaubel Makiflexes.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8733/28322964803_846672315f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/K9NAFn)Makiflex Bellows Attachment (https://flic.kr/p/K9NAFn) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Daniel, I know this thread is four years old, but do you still have your chrome Schneiders? I just got a speed graphic and am looking for a nice fast portrait lens, something like a Fujinon 210mm (or, frankly, whatever is cheap-ish and can get close to the aero ektar). The 300mm might be a tall order for my speed graphic, is the next step down the 180mm?

Edit to say: I found the 210, which would be more my speed!

Do you think this is a good deal if the aperture functions and the glass is reasonably clean?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224468807135?hash=item3443622ddf:g:V2MAAOSwOGhgpu2x

[Daniel Unkefer]

Yes it appears OK from what I can see. If it is milky glass (even if horrible) the front cell group comes out in one big chunk, for easy cleaning in the kitchen sink with dishwashing soap and lots of water. The rear group can also be cleaned at that time. Repair Guru Ken Ruth taught me this trick while he was restoring one of my Plaubel Makiflexes. Worse (like seperated) than that I would send it to Jason Lane he does wonderful optical CLA for great prices.

This is in every way comparable to the Symmar Plasmat types. This is assuming you have a good one which it appears to be. Depending on your objective sometimes the Componon can be superior to the Symmar

The 240 f5.6 Symmar chrome and the 240mm f5.6 Componons are also worth having with lots of utility for little money usually

Xenars and Xenotars are Schneider's speedy lenses. The F4.5 Xenars are lovely to look through for portraiture

[maltfalc]

Daniel, I know this thread is four years old, but do you still have your chrome Schneiders? I just got a speed graphic and am looking for a nice fast portrait lens, something like a Fujinon 210mm (or, frankly, whatever is cheap-ish and can get close to the aero ektar). The 300mm might be a tall order for my speed graphic, is the next step down the 180mm?

Edit to say: I found the 210, which would be more my speed!

Do you think this is a good deal if the aperture functions and the glass is reasonably clean?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224468807135?hash=item3443622ddf:g:V2MAAOSwOGhgpu2x

comparons are an excellent option too. just as sharp as componons as far as i can tell. https://www.ebay.com/itm/324698744664?hash=item4b998da758:g:ZV8AAOSw2j5esxJ-

[Daniel Unkefer]

Something like this could be good for your uses?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402933154532?hash=item5dd0b002e4:g:8DUAAOSwv7tgzrFO

No retaining ring and spendy so not this one, but you get the idea. I'm looking for another one of these just like this right now :)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51298959049_f86c064d21_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ma7zic)New 5x7 Norma 210mm chrome Schneider Xenar Sinarsix (https://flic.kr/p/2ma7zic) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Here's my new Sinar Norma 5x7 with 210mm F4.5 Schneider chrome Xenar. This lens is great for portraiture on 4x5. New FOBA ALFAE tripod and Norma Pan Tilt Head