360mm f/6.8 Commercial Congo.

[Keith Tapscott.]

Would this lens be suitable for studio portraiture with an 8x10 Camera? The size appeals to me over the big Plasmat types.
http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/frame_e.htm

[Colin Graham]

Mine is very sharp, with middling bokeh. But I've heard that the quality can vary considerably from lens to lens.

[Nick_3536]

If you're in a studio the big plasmats aren't going to collapse the floor. I can understand if your camera can't handle the weight but otherwise why does the size matter in the studio?

[Gene McCluney]

The Congo commercial lenses such as the one you mention is a tessar formula like the Commercial Ektar lenses were from Kodak.

[John Kasaian]

It is (I've heard) supposed to be a modern coated version of the noble 14" Commercial Ektar which was extensively used by Yousef Karsh who knew a thing or two about taking portraits. :)

[Keith Tapscott.]

The specification states that it covers the 10x12 format, has an f/stop range of 6.8 to 90 and take filters with a 67mm thread of which I already have.
Colin, said that the quality can vary quite considerably from lens to lens which is a bit worrying.
Perhaps it would be wise to take my time and wait for a Plasmat lens going for a reasonable price.
I did try to bid for a larger Plasmat type on E-prey, but the bid was higher than I was prepared to pay.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

[Gene McCluney]

I have purchased Plasmat design LF lenses in shutters from KEH for well under $1000. Dented filter rings, but otherwise mint. (Nikkor) 12 in. & 14 in.

[Nick_3536]

Damn. I bought a Fuji 360 for less then $500 and a Fuji 300 for closer to $400. Older W series but those are the ones I wanted.

I bought an Orbit-S 300mm for $150. I guess it's 30+ years old [How old are Schenider Symar-S?] but otherwise fine.

Most people don't want these things because of the weight. Not many are hiking with an 8x10 or 4x5 with these boat anchors. But the Fuji-W I bought have lots of extra coverage. So if I ever get an 11x14 I'm set.

[Maris Rusis]

The 360mm f6.8 Commercial Congo here works superbly for portraits and general landscape photography. Since it is a four element Tessar design with good modern coatings it is surprisingly resistant to flare.

Centre sharpness looked so good that I tried it out as an astronomical objective. With a 4mm Plossl eyepiece behind the 360 (working power of 90x) the rings of Saturn are no problem and the big satellite Titan was easy to find too. Wow!

[Colin Graham]

Sorry Keith, I didn't intend to suggest it's not worth checking one out if you get the chance. I think I paid under $250 for mine, so it was very much worth the gamble for me. Also, the 'varying quality' rumor could just be forum white noise, who knows. I'm very glad I risked it and bought mine.

[Jon Wilson]

I have this lens too and find it is very sharp......besides it comes in a copal 3 shutter. If the one you are looking at comes in a copal 3 shutter, then shutter alone is worth at least $250.