Wollensak Graphic Raptar f4.5 6 3/8" any good?

I wonder if anyone had experiences using that lens?
I would also like to know which type that is (Tessar?)
and the coverage of it.

Thanks Klaus

Klaus, it is another tessar type. Same coverage as any other 6 3/8" f/4.5 Tessar, i.e., about 7". I don't have one, do have the 138 which, raptures in sales pitches on eBay nothwithstanding, is a dog. Not even as good as a 135/4.5 Tominon.

Buy it anyway to maintain your standing as a serious collector. Gotta have at least one of everything.

I've got an old uncoated pre-war (I think) 162mm f4.5 velostigmat series II. If it is the earlier version of your Raptar I found mine to be actually quite good with a nice soft look at wide apertures and very sharp when stopped down---if it is indeed the same lens. With tessars things tend to go to the worms around the edges when movements get enthusiastic, but there are exceptions to this (450 Nikkor M for example) ut the Wolly isn't one of them IMHO.
Try it---you might like it!

Klaus, I have a 162mm Raptar and it is one of my favourite lenses. Stopped down 22 or more it is the equal in all respects to any lens I have and it has old style character imparted by the Tessar design. I have Sironars and Ronars.

Great lens, and if it is in an Alphax shutter a 2 year old child with an axe can easily clean it and give it another 20 years of life. If it is broke though ---------- another story and another axe!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Fromm

Klaus, it is another tessar type. Same coverage as any other 6 3/8" f/4.5 Tessar, i.e., about 7". I don't have one, do have the 138 which, raptures in sales pitches on eBay nothwithstanding, is a dog. Not even as good as a 135/4.5 Tominon.

Buy it anyway to maintain your standing as a serious collector. Gotta have at least one of everything.

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Thanks Dan,

found your earlier comment on that 138mm you have which actually triggered that question, since I got (also) that 161mm lens and mine isn't THAT bad.

In that case I wanted to use that lens for a test....

btw. just found a site where someone actually published test shots on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/asbalya...7600560285378/
not THAT great, but also not that bad...

Thanks to all for the valuable contributions!

Cheers, Klaus

This is an old post, but the person on flickr doesn't say if he has the enlarging raptar or "taking" raptar.

There is an enlarging raptar and one in a shutter (or barrel) for use as a taking lens.

And there is, I believe, also a "Graphic Raptar". I'm not sure we're all talking about the same lens.