Whether you use Wollensak?

**John Kasaian** · 29-Jun-2010, 20:20

I've got a couple of Wollys, a 159 WA Yellow Dot and a Velostigmat. Fine lenses that take good photographs (if I do my part!)

**Andrew O'Neill** · 29-Jun-2010, 20:26

I have a huge 12" wolley. No really. I do. I got it from Jim Gali a few years ago. Okay, this just sounds too weird.

**Daniel_Buck** · 29-Jun-2010, 20:56

alot of my photos are taken with wollensak lenses. I have a 159mm wide angle, and a 12"/4.5 velostigmat, and I think one other somewhere (that doesn't get used much) I like the 12" alot!

**Mark Sawyer** · 29-Jun-2010, 23:45

So, like...

I was thinking it over, you know...

And like, my twelve inch Velostigmat II is really pretty beat up. And I was thinking that, like, you know, I don't think it takes very good pictures or anything...

So like, if a really nice one comes up on ebay, I wouldn't bid on it if I were you.

Like, trust me...

You really woudn't like it. So, don't bid. Really.

Okay?

**jnantz** · 30-Jun-2010, 05:50

i have a bunch of wollensak lenses
and think they have much more character
than the schneider super angulons i also use.
the symmar convertible ( converted ) has a little more character
than the other schneiders ...

as they used to engrave on their lens caps : let the user judge .

**W K Longcor** · 30-Jun-2010, 08:02

As a student -years ago - my first LF lens was a used triple convertable raptar - 10", 15" and 20" in an Alphax shutter. I rarely used the 15 or 20" cells alone - but I have always loved the results of the 10" combination. Lenses have come and gone over the 45+ years since I bought that lens -- but I still own it and WILL NOT part with it -- it is an old and comfortable friend.

Now for a little humor -- this all reminded me of the NY camera dealer I once knew. He told me about the gentleman who came to his store one day. The man had a very heavy accent. He told them he had come to the store because he needed "woolysocks". They were about to send him to a men's clothing store - when he added that what he wanted was a good quality wide angle woolysocks lens!

**Philippe Grunchec** · 30-Jun-2010, 08:17

Too bad you don't want to sell it, I would have been interested... as a companion for my 9"...

**Bernard Kaye** · 30-Jun-2010, 18:51

After WWII, when W issued coated Raptar Ia convertible lenses, "copies" of Zeiss Protarlinse, more than one favorable reviewer lamented that they did not mark them Zeiss Protar: arrangement of four cemented elements, front and back, is identical to Zeiss (-++-): these are great lenses. Prewar uncoated examples are not at all expensive and there are only 4 air to glass surfaces when using both front & back units. You can "touch-feel" landscapes taken with coated or uncoated.
Bernie

**Rick A** · 2-Jul-2010, 04:08

I have a handfull of Wollensak lenses for my 4x5's, and one of each focal length for my enlarger. I would put my Wollys against my Schneiders any time, and noone would be able to tell which was used.