Martin Courtenay-Blake
24-Jun-2007, 07:39
In my never ending quest for low cost lenses for my 5X4 and Half Plate cameras I recently acquired a little gem 6in. (152mm) Cooke Aviar and a 240mm Apo Gerogon...both barrel.
Firstly the Aviar has a long, but not too deep, scratch on the front element probably caused by the ubiquitous T-shirt full of sand cleaning method. There is also what appears a small internal coating fault. These aside the lens is in great condition. It is probably a late version as the focal length is given in both metric and imperial. It is also fully coated. I have yet to manufacture lens boards for either of my cameras so haven't tried it out. I just wanted feelings, opinions or even advice as to wether it may be worth considering re-polishing and coating the front element (by an expert not me personally). It is likely to be used primarily for B&W on the Zone Vl 5X4.
The Apo Gerogon is in optically mint condition but is mounted as an enlarging lens...complete with illuminated f-stops. In fact it looks virtually the same as my 150mm Rodagon. Just want to know if this version may have been optimised for enlarging and is therefore not suited to general photography or if I could use it as many others use this lens model. It stops down to f.64 so I'll most likely use the top hat method of exposure with it left in it's barrel.
Would really appreciate any thoughts.
Martin
Firstly the Aviar has a long, but not too deep, scratch on the front element probably caused by the ubiquitous T-shirt full of sand cleaning method. There is also what appears a small internal coating fault. These aside the lens is in great condition. It is probably a late version as the focal length is given in both metric and imperial. It is also fully coated. I have yet to manufacture lens boards for either of my cameras so haven't tried it out. I just wanted feelings, opinions or even advice as to wether it may be worth considering re-polishing and coating the front element (by an expert not me personally). It is likely to be used primarily for B&W on the Zone Vl 5X4.
The Apo Gerogon is in optically mint condition but is mounted as an enlarging lens...complete with illuminated f-stops. In fact it looks virtually the same as my 150mm Rodagon. Just want to know if this version may have been optimised for enlarging and is therefore not suited to general photography or if I could use it as many others use this lens model. It stops down to f.64 so I'll most likely use the top hat method of exposure with it left in it's barrel.
Would really appreciate any thoughts.
Martin