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Thread: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

  1. #1

    petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Hello everyboys,
    I've bought a very old Bernard 8x10 camera and now I'm searching for an antique portrait lens with no shutter and no aperture, like a Petzval or Dallmeyer.

    But I'm having some difficult to understand the great variety of lenses on internet.... I need a minimun 300 mm focal length ( 12" inches correct?) and a lens good for portraiture .. I've saw a Emil Busch telar 550 mm with good price but it's a tele, so with no coverage for the 8x10... do you have suggestions? My budget is not over 400 dollars

    Thanks!

    Luca

  2. #2
    Foamer
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    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Look for a Wollensak Velostigmat, 300mm/12 inch. Lovely lens and way underpriced for what it does.


    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  3. #3

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    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Try a cheap $2 magnifier lens first...

    Steve K

  4. #4

    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Quote Originally Posted by LabRat View Post
    Try a cheap $2 magnifier lens first...

    Steve K
    sorry I can't understand why?

  5. #5

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    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    What lab rat is saying is that it is an expensive (and sometimes a deeply frustrating!) path you are about to enter. Perhaps it is better to limit investment - even a simple lens would be a useful learning experience if you are newbie!

    400 usd is just under what I would consider the minimum for a recognized 8x10” portrait lens.

  6. #6

    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    hello, excuse me I omitted that anyway I have already available different material that I have been using for about 1 year with even darkroom prints ... medium format, large 4x5 format ... I'm not an expert, but not even a beginner ... or at least I hope so!

    my difficulty on the 8x10 format is on the fact that I want to make a small step different from the usual ... so take one of these particular lenses of which, however, I know very little, having always used lenses like schneiders or fujinon ...

    I'm already using the rest of the equipment in a "conventional" way, so I want to use the Bernard 8x10 as an exclusive tool for ancient portraiture, with all the difficulties that come with finding such lenses and knowing how to use them correctly.

    400 usd is too low? ok, 5-600 usd are a better range? not over I hope!

  7. #7

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    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Certainly, more interesting lenses are available with that extra amount.

    It depends what sources are available to you. If you are restricted to Ebay, the chances of even a reasonable price in a BIN are small, but you can be lucky in an auction. There are still saleroom/web auctions with specialised photographica items - perhaps 5/6 times a year in Europe. And, of course, there are plenty of good sellers ( including me!) who list these sort of items on the For Sale section. Or you could appeal in the Wanted section?

    A 12" Petzval is just on the limit of coverage for 8x10, but longer get to be more than 2 kilos. Fast Aplanats ( F6 and less) made by Busch, Suter and Voigtlander (Euryskops) are also excellent portrait lenses - especialy if are going to use modern fast emulsions.

  8. #8

    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Quote Originally Posted by Steven Tribe View Post
    Certainly, more interesting lenses are available with that extra amount.

    It depends what sources are available to you. If you are restricted to Ebay, the chances of even a reasonable price in a BIN are small, but you can be lucky in an auction. There are still saleroom/web auctions with specialised photographica items - perhaps 5/6 times a year in Europe. And, of course, there are plenty of good sellers ( including me!) who list these sort of items on the For Sale section. Or you could appeal in the Wanted section?

    A 12" Petzval is just on the limit of coverage for 8x10, but longer get to be more than 2 kilos. Fast Aplanats ( F6 and less) made by Busch, Suter and Voigtlander (Euryskops) are also excellent portrait lenses - especialy if are going to use modern fast emulsions.
    Many thanks Steven! Can I ask you a typical web auctions for theese items? I'm watching Catawiki and ebay, but I think there are more site.

    And if you have some item that could interest me, send me a message!

  9. #9

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    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Quote Originally Posted by Two23 View Post
    Look for a Wollensak Velostigmat, 300mm/12 inch. Lovely lens and way underpriced for what it does.


    Kent in SD
    Agree 100%. A 12" f/4.5 Velostigmat was my first 8x10 lens back in the 1970s. Still have and use one today. Variable softness control by rotating the front element(s) I never got to like. Either shoot wide open or at f/64. It's like carrying 2 different lenses. The Betax shutter only failed me once in the field, but I actually was able to fix it in a few minutes. Have seen many come up for auction at more than reasonable prices. Few years ago replaced my well used, with shutter getting to be unreliable, Velostigmat with one in mint minus condition. Both uncoated, so shooting brightly lit snow scenes in the winter had and has its problems.

  10. #10

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    Re: petzval like lens for my 8x10 Bernard

    Quote Originally Posted by berserkLuca View Post
    Many thanks Steven! Can I ask you a typical web auctions for theese items? I'm watching Catawiki and ebay, but I think there are more site.

    And if you have some item that could interest me, send me a message!
    I'll send you PM with some auction ideas. I support the For Sale section here with my own items!

    These are available to new members after being here for month!

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