Fujinar 250mm f/4.5 -- what should I expect?

[Ben Syverson]

Just picked up a 250mm f/4.5 Fujinar in a presumably large "Shanel 5B-S" shutter. Given that there is apparently no info about either item on the Internet, I thought I would ask you guys. What should I expect? Is this a process lens?

[Michael Jones]

Just picked up a 250mm f/4.5 Fujinar in a presumably large "Shanel 5B-S" shutter. Given that there is apparently no info about either item on the Internet, I thought I would ask you guys. What should I expect? Is this a process lens?

I'd wager its a Tessar design; probably covers 5x7 well. There is "some" info on the web, it takes several Google searches to bring it up.

Good luck.

Mike

[ic-racer]

I almost bought that but then had a déjà vu, realizing I ALREADY HAD that lens.
I have it mounted in a barrel and just recently mounted it on a lensboard for enlarging 8x10 negatives. So if I bought it, I'd really just be getting the Shanel shutter.

I should have plenty of coverage on 8x10. They had it listed as 10x12 coverage and I suspect that would be correct. The price was good, so unless that shutter doesn't work, you got a real bargain WA 8x10 lens.

[Philippe Grunchec]

Good you had this déjà vu!

[Ben Syverson]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to try it out... I'm a bit confuzzled, because if this really is a Tessar design with 55° coverage, that should only give me a 260mm image circle. However, KEH did list it very optimistically as 10x12, which would indicate a much larger circle.

Hmm, well, nothing to do but give it a try!

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to try it out... I'm a bit confuzzled, because if this really is a Tessar design with 55° coverage, that should only give me a 260mm image circle. However, KEH did list it very optimistically as 10x12, which would indicate a much larger circle.

Hmm, well, nothing to do but give it a try!

If it is an f4.5 Tessar (which I am pretty sure it is), I also have a very hard time believing that it would cover 8x10, let alone 10x12.

[Steve Goldstein]

Is this a repro lens, like from a copy machine? A Tessar design in this application would have no trouble covering 8x10 since it's nowhere near infinity. But try to take a landscape photo...

This is pure speculation on my part. I've never seen one of these.

[Chauncey Walden]

Jason, neither of my 240mm Xenars (1929 or 1968 vintage) has any problem covering 8x10.

[ic-racer]

Yes it is a Tessar design. I held it up to an 8x10 camera and at infinity there is still a reasonably good crescent of light seen when peeking in at each corner. In terms of projected image, the light fall off at the edge is much more gradual than a modern lens.

I got mine to do 30x40in enlargements of 8x10 on the baseboard (without having to project horizontal), but I have yet to use it. Its a little soft at the edges compared to the Durst branded Componons, when viewed through the grain magnifier. I suspect the prints will be fine as no one looks at 30x40 prints with a 10x magnifier.

[Ben Syverson]

I would never be using this thing at infinity -- more like between 4 - 12 feet... If it doesn't cover well enough, I'll pass it on to a 5x7 user here or someone in need of a gigantic shutter!