Ilex Lens information

[Deyoung]

A friend of mine has this lens and was wanting to know more about it. Aside from the obvious markings such as focal length, does anyone know anything about this lens? I'm trying to figure out what it may be worth but can't find any information on this exact one.
I've searched some of the bay listings and things were all over the map. No sure what to tell them.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Modified the "ask for value" to be within the rules. (oops)

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=256067&d=1735845416
https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=256068&d=1735845428

[Dugan]

This site does not allow valuations, sorry.
The Ilex Paragon is a Tessar formula lens, American-made, and is a quite common journeyman-level lens. Frequently used on Press cameras, and American-made monorails post-WW2 through the 1960's

[Vaughan]

Do a search on eBay for completed listings.

[Duolab123]

Focal length would indicate 4x5 maybe 5x7. These are pretty good old lenses, similar modern lenses are readily available. Ebay completed sold results will give idea of what someone will actually pay.

[David Lindquist]

I can see the front cell is marked " f:4.5 6 1/2 INCH No 8930" There's a word preceding this that ends in "...AT". What is this word? Anything else engraved on the front cell's periphery that we can't see?

David

[jim_jm]

This was most likely sold as a "normal" focal-length lens for 4x5 cameras. Ilex made these Anastigmat f:4.5 lenses for at least several decades in varying focal lengths and coverages and the 6.5" version provided enough coverage for 4x5 film.
Based on the cosmetics and the Acme shutter, I'd guess this was made in the 1940's or '50's. The lens designation is probably "Paragon Anastigmat".
They're good quality lenses, but not particularly rare or valuable. If the shutter's in working condition and the glass is clear, this would make a decent lightweight everyday lens for many 4x5 shooters. I have a 12" Paragon Anastigmat that I use on 8x10 and it's a great lens.
Value can only be determined by looking at sold items on eBay. A lot of sellers ask way too much for older camera gear.

[phdgent]

I can see the front cell is marked " f:4.5 6 1/2 INCH No 8930" There's a word preceding this that ends in "...AT". What is this word? Anything else engraved on the front cell's periphery that we can't see?

David

I think the "...AT" are the last two letters from ANASTIGMAT.
The Carl Zeis Tessar was a notorious Anastigmat, Astigmatism was a rather common optical issue till the Goerz Dagor came in 1892.

BTW, just out of curiosity: was Ilex related to Kodak?

[Deyoung]

@everyone - been looking at the completed sales on ebay for awhile. Thanks for the reminder.

@Jim_jim "A lot of sellers ask way too much for older camera gear. " - for sure, and this type of lens seems to be all over the place as far as asking price. Part of why I was trying to understand more about what the lens actually is.

Thanks Everyone, I appreciate the feedback.

[jnantz]

hi Deyoung

Ilex is an old brand ..
I think Wile E. Coyote even used an ACME shutter ...
it was a pretty good lens, lots made ( like other Rochester ny classics )

https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Ilex

have fun!

[Mark Sampson]

Ilex Optical was never part of Kodak, although many Kodak lenses were put into Ilex shutters. The company was founded in Rochester in 1911, IIRC.
They were pioneers in the design of the clockwork shutters we all still use today, and made lenses for large format. Their last lenses were sold by Calumet with the brand "Ilex-Caltar", in the mid-70s.. Many people have suggested that these Tessar-formula lenses were intended to replace the Kodak Commercial Ektars (which had been discontinued in the mid-'60s). Not sure about that, but in a past life I used a 14-3/4" Ilex-Caltar on the job and it was a stellar performer.
Ilex was taken over by Melles Griot in the 1980s and are long gone from the photography market, and the brand seems to have disappeared. (Thanks to Dan Fromm for correcting my imperfect memory on this).
Your lens should be a fine performer on 4x5.

[Dan Fromm]

Hmm. Since this thread has drifted into mentions of more modern Ilex lenses and Ilex corporate history, please see http://www.galerie-photo.com/ilex-lenses.html

[Robbie Bedell]

I am wondering if this particular lens has any sort of coating. I have the same lens with an earlier serial number and I can't tell whether it's coated or not. I realize the tessar design does well enough without one, but I would like to know one way or the other...

[MTGSeattle]

I can't be of any help. I am very curious about that selection dial on the shutter that seems to equate to filters? I've never seen that before. (I've also never owned an Ilex #3 of any type)

[Dan Fromm]

I can't be of any help. I am very curious about that selection dial on the shutter that seems to equate to filters? I've never seen that before. (I've also never owned an Ilex #3 of any type)

Not filters, delay in milliseconds between firing flash and firing shutter.

[Mark Sampson]

Thank you, Dan, for compiling and providing such good information.

[Deyoung]

Great information everyone. I'm going to see if I can borrow this lens from my friend and try it out on my 4x5.

[Dan Fromm]

Great information everyone. I'm going to see if I can borrow this lens from my friend and try it out on my 4x5.

Good luck, have fun. If you want coverage (more) and sharpness (more), the f/6.3er is a better bet. But the f/4.5er you'd like to borrow may suit you better.