Stress of Buying Lenses - Sight Unseen / Reputation

[dodphotography]

I find it incredibly stressful buying lenses sight unseen... not necessarily the condition, but rather, how the lens draws and it’s characteristics. Some of these lenses command high value in the 8x10 world and it’s hard to get your hands on something to “test it” and see if it’s for you. My dream is a rental company sending out rental glass from old vintage dagors to modern APO Sironar S lenses.

I know they hold their value but plunking down 1500-2000 and hoping you like it always makes me nervous!


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[darr]

I agree! I want an old brass soft focus lens for my 4x5, but I do not know what I am looking at. I have 30+ years in film and digital photography and not an iota of experience with old lenses. I sold off my Cooke PS945 and now I want something similar but antique. Anyone with advice, please share your experience, opinions, etc.

Much appreciated!
Darr

[Mark Sawyer]

I sold off my Cooke PS945 and now I want something similar but antique. Anyone with advice, please share your experience, opinions, etc.

Well, the obvious choice is the 9-inch P&S Visual Quality, which the PS945 is based on.

If people are lucky enough to live where a number of LF photographers are nearby, you may be able to try a few lenses. I've loaned a few of mine out locally with no regrets.

[darr]

Well, the obvious choice is the 9-inch P&S Visual Quality, which the PS945 is based on.

If people are lucky enough to live where a number of LF photographers are nearby, you may be able to try a few lenses. I've loaned a few of mine out locally with no regrets.

Yes, I have this lens on a search. Thank you Mark.

Also want to say how much I enjoyed your pixie portfolio in Lenswork a few years ago.
I was teaching photography at a technical college and shared your work on the big screen with my students.
They all loved it as much as I do.

Kind regard,
Darr

[Mark Sawyer]

Yes, I have this lens on a search. Thank you Mark.

Also want to say how much I enjoyed your pixie portfolio in Lenswork a few years ago.
I was teaching photography at a technical college and shared your work on the big screen with my students.
They all loved it as much as I do.

Kind regard,
Darr

Thank you for the kind words, Darr!

Not to drift the thread too much, but I wonder how the price of an original 9-inch P&S VQ would compare to the price of the Cooke PS945. Did it drive the price up or down? At an equal price, I'd rather have the original, myself. Of course, we can't talk numbers here, but as a general trend. Also of course, there aren't enough originals to set a trend...

Having been fortunate enough to use a variety of old soft focus lenses, I think the best value and one of the very best performers is the venerable Verito. There were so many made, they don't command the prices they deserve. But there's a very good reason they were so popular...

[darr]

Thank you for the kind words, Darr!

Not to drift the thread too much, but I wonder how the price of an original 9-inch P&S VQ would compare to the price of the Cooke PS945. Did it drive the price up or down? At an equal price, I'd rather have the original, myself. Of course, we can't talk numbers here, but as a general trend. Also of course, there aren't enough originals to set a trend...

Having been fortunate enough to use a variety of old soft focus lenses, I think the best value and one of the very best performers is the venerable Verito. There were so many made, they don't command the prices they deserve. But there's a very good reason they were so popular...

I can say that when I bought the PS945 from Badger Graphic ~2005 it was $3500.
I sold it for the price I paid for it. There is one currently on auction for $5870 used.
No way, no how would I pay that. It is a nice lens, but IMO not worth more than $3500.

[Bob Salomon]

I can say that when I bought the PS945 from Badger Graphic ~2005 it was $3500.
I sold it for the price I paid for it. There is one currently on auction for $5870 used.
No way, no how would I pay that. It is a nice lens, but IMO not worth more than $3500.

So, you sold yours to soon!

[darr]

So, you sold yours to soon!

Bob,

Yes and no. I needed the cash for gear that was used in my paying jobs.
If the MFD (medium format digital) system could have taken Copal 3, I probably would have sold off something else instead.
It is all part of the photography journey.

Kind regards,
Darr

[Tin Can]

What did you NOT like about the PS945?

I agree! I want an old brass soft focus lens for my 4x5, but I do not know what I am looking at. I have 30+ years in film and digital photography and not an iota of experience with old lenses. I sold off my Cooke PS945 and now I want something similar but antique. Anyone with advice, please share your experience, opinions, etc.

Much appreciated!
Darr

[darr]

What did you NOT like about the PS945?

I liked the lens a lot, but needed money towards my digital medium format setup, and the medium format tech camera would not take Copal 3 shutters (too large).
So I had to trim the gear some. I had put my 4x5 on hold for a few years, but now I am back. I shoot probably as much film as digital now.

Darr