210mm Graphic Kowa w/ Filters?

[MPrice]

Does anybody have any experience with using filters on a Graphic Kowa 210mm? The front element doesn't have any threads making it a bit difficult. One possibility is the slip-on adapter that SK Grimes makes (something with a rubber bushing that slips onto the front element?), has anybody used this? Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any input..

[erie patsellis]

Tiffen SSS series holders, has 3 thumbscrews, fastens easily and gives you series threads to work with. Or alternately, find a step up ring that fits tightly and superglue it to the front, that's what I did for my 150 f9 from a copy camera.

[Ron Marshall]

I had a G-K 150 with threads inside the circumference. I used a step-down ring and then reverse mounted the filters. Any threads at all on yours?

[MPrice]

No threads at all. I'd thought about the series holder and then maybe a step-up ring from there to 52mm, guess that's a possibility.

One other question for those that have had these, any luck with lens caps? I haven't been able to find anything that fits correctly but am sort of dreading paying to have them made.

[Keith Pitman]

As far as lens caps, you can measure the outside diameter, and then find Kaiser slip-on lenscaps at B&H reasonably priced.

Is you lens a f/9 or f/6.3?

[MPrice]

It's the f/9

[MPrice]

Thanks for the tip on the lenscaps, $10 apiece sounds a lot better than $30.

[Eric Leppanen]

I considered purchasing a 210mm Graphic Kowa earlier this year, and had some discussions with Adam at SK Grimes regarding filter attachment. He recommended a custom press-on step-up ring (featuring three nylon screws that firmly affix the ring to the lens barrel); my preference at the time was for the ring to support a 77mm filter size, so that I could use either my circular filters (for which I had standardized on a 77mm filter size) or a 77mm wide-angle Lee filter adapter ring (so I could connect my Lee filter holder to the lens).

This custom step-up ring would have been a bit pricey (Adam quoted $95 for materials and labor) and at the time had an eight-week order lead time. However, it seemed a good solution and could be left permanently mounted on the lens, so that you could use a standard off-the-shelf lens cap.

For a variety of reasons I decided not to get the Kowa, so I have no actual experience with this setup.

BTW, my understanding is that the Kowa's front barrel diameter is 46mm.

[MPrice]

Thanks for the info Eric, I talked to Adam briefly as well, he recommended this:

http://skgrimes.com/slipon/index.htm

Seemed sort of expensive but I know it'd work, just figured I'd try here to see if anybody had other ideas or experience with such an adapter before spending the money. Do you mind if I ask why you passed on the Kowa and what you got instead?

[Eric Leppanen]

Do you mind if I ask why you passed on the Kowa and what you got instead?I finally decided that the seller was asking too much for the lens, and I did not want to wait eight weeks for filter capability. I ended up getting a 210mm APO Sironar W; it is heavier/bulkier but still fits within a standard Photobackpacker lens case, has a brighter f/5.6 maximum aperture and adequate coverage for my needs.

[vinny]

MPrice, the skgrimes thing is great but there's no reason to go that far. I've posted an alternative here a couple times that i've use on my 210 f9 repromaster and 24" artar. It's simple and will only cost you about $12
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=42332&highlight=snot+tape
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=34971&highlight=snot+tape

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=38100&highlight=snot+tape
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=21629&highlight=snot+tape
good luck

[MPrice]

Thanks Vinny, sounds like a good place to start....I'll try it out.

Mike

[Jim Becia]

I had a G-K 150 with threads inside the circumference. I used a step-down ring and then reverse mounted the filters. Any threads at all on yours?

I have Ron's Graphic-Kowa 150 and it is threaded on the outside, however, my Graphic-Kowa 210 has no threads. Also, picked up a Computar 150/f9 and that is threaded also like the Graphic-Kowa. When I've needed to use a filter on the 210, I've just hung it on the lip (has worked so far as long as the lens is level or pointed slightly up.) For a graduated ND, I've held it in front. Jim

[Really Big Cameras]

I have a number of these lenses, f9 Computars, Graphic Kowas and an f6.8 APO Kyvytar in the 150mm and 210mm focal lengths. Several years ago, I came up with a simple, but rather elegant solution (if I do say so myself) that cost me $6.00 per lens and allows me to use the same 52mm filters I standardized on years ago for all my lightweight lenses.

I'll take some photos and post the details later tonight or tomorrow.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[Really Big Cameras]

OK, here are the details on my inexpensive filter mounting solution for the Computar, Graphic-Kowa and APO Kyvytar lenses in the 150mm and 210mm focal lengths.

http://reallybigcameras.com/Lenses/Graphic-Kowa/Graphic-Kowas_Step-Up_Ring.JPG

I use an inexpensive 46mm-52mm aluminum step-up ring made in Japan by Kenko.

http://reallybigcameras.com/Lenses/Graphic-Kowa/Kenko_46-52.JPG

The bought mine several years ago from the Filter Connection (http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/adapterrings.html). When I bought mine, they were $6.00 each. They are now $8.00 a piece. Don't be tempted to buy the cheaper generic step-up ring. The generic ones are much thicker and don't work for the intended purpose. The Kenko 46-52 step-up ring fits perfectly.

To install, unscrew the front cell from the shutter and slip the step up ring over the metal barrel - from the rear. Push it forward until it stops. The fit should be snug and fairly tight. In fact, you can actually use it as is. However, if you get a filter stuck, the step-up ring will be prone to rotate as you try to unscrew the filter. To avoid this problem, and make a semi-permanent solution, I run a thin bead of clear fingernail polish around the rear of the step-up ring where it meets the barrel. A single application of clear finger nail polish has held up to several years of use in all sorts of environmental conditions. And, if I ever want to remove the step-up ring, a little acetone would take the nail polish right off.

Here's, the finished solution:

http://reallybigcameras.com/Lenses/Graphic-Kowa/210mm_Graphic-Kowa.JPG

Every 52mm filter I have tried fits perfectly and threads on and off with ease.

To top off my solution, I use a Schneider 54mm push-on lens cap on the front (SN-223-25) and a 43mm Schneider cap (SN-223-20) on the rear. These Schneider lenscaps also used to be available from The Filter Connection, but I didn't see them on their current site - which is pretty much impossible to navigate. They may still carry them. If not, you can purchase Schneider lenscaps directly from Schneider Optics (http://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogSubCategoryDisplay.aspx?CID=1159).

Of course, you don't have to use Schneider caps. Any push-on lenscap of the right size will work. The Nikon and Fujinon 54mm caps also work nicely on the front. I'm not sure, off the top of my head, if either of these two make/made a 43mm push-on cap.

Hope that helps. The Computar, Graphic-Kowa, APO Kyvytar lenses are some of my favorite large format lenses. They offer a great combination of compact size and light weight with very large coverage. The simple addition of the 46mm-52mm Kenko step-up ring makes it easy to use them with readily available, inexpensive 52mm screw-in filters.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[Jim Becia]

Kerry,

Great idea and very simple indeed. Thanks. Jim

[Eric Leppanen]

And Lee makes a 52mm wide-angle adapter ring, so it looks like a standard Lee holder could be made to work with this setup without vignetting. Thanks for sharing, Kerry!

[MPrice]

Whoa, that's what I was looking for, excellent idea Kerry, thanks for taking the time to describe it, much appreciated.

[Really Big Cameras]

And Lee makes a 52mm wide-angle adapter ring, so it looks like a standard Lee holder could be made to work with this setup without vignetting. Thanks for sharing, Kerry!

I've used this solution with standard 52mm threaded glass filter on the 150mm lens on the 4x10 format without mechanical vignetting.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[Really Big Cameras]

Whoa, that's what I was looking for, excellent idea Kerry, thanks for taking the time to describe it, much appreciated.

Mike,

You're welcome. I've been wanting to write an in depth article on the Computar, APO Kyvytar, Graphic-Kowa lenses for ages, but never seem to have the time. This filter solution was planned as a side bar to that article, but your post convinced me to share the information here, in the forum, rather than waiting until I get around to writing a longer article.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[Jim Becia]

Mike,

You're welcome. I've been wanting to write an in depth article on the Computar, APO Kyvytar, Graphic-Kowa lenses for ages, but never seem to have the time. This filter solution was planned as a side bar to that article, but your post convinced me to share the information here, in the forum, rather than waiting until I get around to writing a longer article.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)


Kerry,

Could you tell me if there is really any difference between the Computar 150f9 (#501012) and the Graphic-Kowa 150 f9 (#158225)? Externally, they look exactly the same. Is their coverage the same? Thanks. Jim

[MPrice]

So the saga continues...I just got my step-up ring (Kenko) and for whatever reason it doesn't fit even close to snugly on the rear of the front lens barrel, the diameter is probably a 1/32nd of an inch too big...is it possible that they changed the interior diameter of the ring or are there more than one version of the 210mm Kowa? I guess I can just glue or caulk the thing on there but was hoping to avoid this.

Any idea where things went wrong?

[kv nguyen]

Mprice
i try the nails topcoat , it work ok . You may try a thin rubber ban

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

One of those rare Apo Sinaron W 210's is selling on E-bay and no one is taking any notice http://cgi.ebay.com/Rodenstock-APO-Sironar-210mm-8x10-camera-lens-DEARDORFF_W0QQitemZ130273597256QQihZ003QQcategoryZ15248QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[MPrice]

Thanks for the ideas, I was thinking of trying to find a rubber band or some sort of an o-ring to fit so maybe I'll go that route..

[vinny]

Didn't like my method?

[Erik Larsen]

A rubber band, or tape or you can really class it up with a strip of purple velvet:)

[MPrice]

Hey Vinny, honestly I sort of forgot about that method after all of the other back and forth....I'm going to go back through what you suggested and see if I can modify it to work with my bum-fitting filter ring, thanks for the reminder.

[Really Big Cameras]

So the saga continues...I just got my step-up ring (Kenko) and for whatever reason it doesn't fit even close to snugly on the rear of the front lens barrel, the diameter is probably a 1/32nd of an inch too big...is it possible that they changed the interior diameter of the ring or are there more than one version of the 210mm Kowa? I guess I can just glue or caulk the thing on there but was hoping to avoid this.

Any idea where things went wrong?

Mark,

Sorry about that. Perhaps Kenko changed the dimensions of their 46-52mm step-up ring. Just to be sure, were the numbers on the box the same as the one I posted - Ring 46-52S, UPC code 4961607884621?

It's been a few years since I bought mine. So, perhaps there are been some changes. I bought several and tried them on 150mm and 210mm Computars, 150mm and 210mm Graphic-Kowas and a 150mm APO-Kyvytar. In all cases they fit "snuggly". In some cases, the fit was tight enough, I could have probably gotten by without adding the nail polish, but I was afraid that if I ever got a stuck filter I wouldn't be able to get it to unscrew from the unrestrained step-up ring. I seem to recall the 150mm APO-Kyvytar being the loosest fit, but even it was reasonably "snug".

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras (http://reallybigcameras.com)

[MPrice]

My UPC code seems to be the same but I've got "Step Ring 46-52", no "S" so maybe that's something although I sort of doubt it. Either way, I stepped up the lens barrel a tiny bit with a few layers of electrical tape and that seemed to do the trick, at least for now. Thanks for your help everybody, I appreciate it.

Mike