Don Dudenbostel
29-Aug-2009, 12:09
I've hear so much about Cooke lenses but have never owned or used one. I have nearly five decades of experience with Schneider, Zeiss, Goerz, Nikkor, Fuji and a handful of Ilex, Rodenstock, Wollensak, Protar, Kodak and Turner Reich lenses. I think most of us would agree that all of the above are quality makers with some lenses better than others but within modern lenses they are all pretty much top notch lenses. Only in some of the older lenses do we find any real dogs.
I noticed that Cooke is about to reissue the VXa and started thinking about condensing some of my 8x10 lenses down to a smaller package. I have experience with a few convertibles and owned a triple convertible Protar for many years and used it regularly on my 8x10. I owned it when triple convertibles weren't in style and sold it about twenty years ago. (sad to say) I also had a couple of Turner Reich lenses for 5x7 and 8x10 but saw no magic in them and currently have a 8-1/2 Wollensak that's OK but again nothing special.
For those that have Cooke VX or VXa lenses why do you like them so much assuming you do? What makes them any better than any prime like a Symmar S, Dagor, Artar, Fujinon or Nikkor of similar focal length? I understand the convenience of a convertible but how optically does it compare with both elements and single elements? For a person with high quality as a priority would I be disappointed? I'm aware that AA used on and many other great masters but they also used Goerz, Schneider, Kodak and so on. Is resolution up to a prime when using one grouping? Are chromatic aberrations a problem or do you need a yellow filter for B&W? How is flare?
Please don't tell me it character. Please define in tangible terms what sets them apart. I would be replacing a 12" dagor and 24" Fuji C and possibly on other.
I would like to know more about the PS945 portrait lens. Why is is so highly regarded?
Thanks!
I noticed that Cooke is about to reissue the VXa and started thinking about condensing some of my 8x10 lenses down to a smaller package. I have experience with a few convertibles and owned a triple convertible Protar for many years and used it regularly on my 8x10. I owned it when triple convertibles weren't in style and sold it about twenty years ago. (sad to say) I also had a couple of Turner Reich lenses for 5x7 and 8x10 but saw no magic in them and currently have a 8-1/2 Wollensak that's OK but again nothing special.
For those that have Cooke VX or VXa lenses why do you like them so much assuming you do? What makes them any better than any prime like a Symmar S, Dagor, Artar, Fujinon or Nikkor of similar focal length? I understand the convenience of a convertible but how optically does it compare with both elements and single elements? For a person with high quality as a priority would I be disappointed? I'm aware that AA used on and many other great masters but they also used Goerz, Schneider, Kodak and so on. Is resolution up to a prime when using one grouping? Are chromatic aberrations a problem or do you need a yellow filter for B&W? How is flare?
Please don't tell me it character. Please define in tangible terms what sets them apart. I would be replacing a 12" dagor and 24" Fuji C and possibly on other.
I would like to know more about the PS945 portrait lens. Why is is so highly regarded?
Thanks!