Wollensak Velosigmat triple convert. question

[Robbie Bedell]

OK, I just yesterday got a Wollensak Velostigmat triple convertible Series 1 7 1/2-inch 6.3 lens for I think a good price. It had some haze in it but I got it open and it cleaned up nicely. (It looks like haze in the photo but there is none) In my research I have found info on a number of longer Wollensak triples and the series 1a but I am having a difficult time learning much, such as what are the focal lengths of the two longer lengths, etc. Do any of the experts have anything they can add? Has anyone actually used one? I have read that it is perhaps made by another company other that Wollensak (?). I like the look on my ground glass of the various combinations as I merge into a Josef Sudek personality. I am looking forward to making some exposures in the next few days. Thank you all! Robbie



www.robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

[Robbie Bedell]

Sorry, I spelled Velostigmat incorrectly!

[Jim Noel]

I'm envious. I have been looking for one of those.

[Whir-Click]

The Wollensak brochures at Camera Eccentric are a fantastic resource: http://www.cameraeccentric.com/info.html

This page in particular should answer some of your Series I questions:

[Louis Pacilla]

You can read up on what Wollensak has to say about the Series 1 convertible here pages 12-13 http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/...lensak_13.html

[mdarnton]

I assume you have figured out that this is not a Series 1a, which is a much more complex and modern lens. I have a couple of Series 1 lenses for 8x10 and they're sharp enough, but very vulnerable to flare.

The lens, like several of the original Wolly lenses, was originally the Royal Anastigmat. See the discussion on page 16, here: http://cameraeccentric.com/html/info/wollensak_10.html Lenses are on the next page.

Wollensak started as a shutter maker, and when they added lenses, they bought the Royal line and the maker, the Rochester Lens Company, see more here:
https://www.westechoptical.com/blog/...ptical-company

They dumped the Series 1 relatively early, but kept making the f/9.5 wide angle Series III almost the the end.

[Robbie Bedell]

Thank you guys. I had seen that but I suppose I glanced over it as it shows the Optimo shutter...But this does help! Thank you!

[Robbie Bedell]

I assume you have figured out that this is not a Series 1a, which is a much more complex and modern lens. I have a couple of Series 1 lenses for 8x10 and they're sharp enough, but very vulnerable to flare.

The lens, like several of the original Wolly lenses, was originally the Royal Anastigmat, made by another company that Wollensak purchased. See the discussion on page 16, here: http://cameraeccentric.com/html/info/wollensak_10.html

Yes, I figured that one out...and it does seem flary...

[Robbie Bedell]

I'm envious. I have been looking for one of those.

I got lucky. It came up on ebay with a 'buy it now' and I bought it quick!

[Mark Sawyer]

For those looking for an affordable alternative to the Cooke VX Triple Convertible, the Wollensak Raptar Triple Convertible seems somewhat related, at least in layout, with the Raptar losing an interior air-glass space front and rear. I'm not sure how its construction relates to the earlier Wolly Double and Triple Convertibles. (My Raptar TC performs very well, though I can only imagine a Cooke's look from others' work.)