Caltar "HN" 210/5.6

[Cletus]

Any idea what this lens is? I know the Schneider "HM" 210 is pretty desirable. Can't seem to find info on this one.

Fleabay # 120977703226

Just curious if this is one of the "wonder 8x10" 210s.

[Cletus]

BTW - I do know this IS NOT a Schneider HN in Caltar clothing. Just interested in the unusual designation. Google doesn't turn up much. Possibly a Topcon lens? Skeptical, but wouldn't want to miss something noteworthy. And have a new entry in Dan Fomm's "Dept of Asleep at the Switch"!

[Cletus]

WHOOPS! Sorry about the mis-typo'd title line! It's a Caltar HR, not H anything else. My dyslexia is kickin' in this morning!

[Vaughn]

Here is some info...

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?72559-Caltar-hr-180-mm-5-6-reviews

It is also on the list:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenseslist.html

image circle of 295mm

[Joseph Dickerson]

Cletus,

As far as I know most, if not all, of the Caltar "HR" lenses were made by Topcon. At least the 150 that I have is a rebadged Topcor. As far as quality goes it's the sharpest lens I've ever owned. It will never be sold, except by my heirs.

Topcor also made a matched doubler for it I'd like to find some day.

I know others who have owned other focal lengths in the Caltar HR series, and everyone of them was equally enthusiastic about the lens.

JD

[ic-racer]

I have the Horseman branded version of that lens. It is very nice, you won't be disappointed as a 4x5 lens. The lens elements are identical between the Caltar HR and Horseman lenses. I swapped lens elements here with good results: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?85695-The-BEST-way-to-solve-lens-separation&highlight=separation

Coverage is less than, say the Fujinon 210mm and Angulon 210mm, which both cover 8x10 with movements. The coverage is just slightly more than the Schneider Symmar-S 210mm which just barely covers for me (or does not cover as some people will post). Horseman factory specs indicate 295mm coverage.

Those comments are based on the fact that I have the Angulon 210mm, the Horseman 210mm, the Symmar-S 210mm and the Fujinon 210mm and have tested all 4 of them on 8x10. Fujinon is the winner for 8x10, but for 4x5 I use the Horseman. The others sit in the drawer.

[ic-racer]

Topcor also made a matched doubler for it I'd like to find some day.

This one; http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?86618-Hands-on-Topcor-2x-Converter-amp-Horseman-FA-Extension-Back&p=851819&viewfull=1#post851819