Brass lenses on a Pacemaker Speed Graphic?

[olwick]

Hi,

I recently picked up a Pacemaker Speed Graphic in part because I wanted the focal plane shutter if I eventually try a brass lens on it (love the look).

I have a couple of questions:

1. What size lens will work on it and still give a bit of movement (mine has the 147/2.5 lens currently). I've read 6 inches for an equivalent for length, but also see lenses with different diameters.

2. I know that some brass lenses don't have aperture control. How do you determine the exposure without a known aperture?

3. How do you mount the brass lens?

4. I'm 99% sure the Kalart rangefinder I have wouldn't work with it...right? Or is there a way to align it to handle the new lens?

Thanks,

Mark

[Ole Tjugen]

1. any lens with an image circle larger than the film size. Or smaller, which gives funny fuzzy corners. The diameter of the lens should be smaller than the size of the lens board, otherwise it's a bit too tricky to mount.

2. You guess. Look at another lens with somewhat similar focal length and a working aperture, and compare the two.

3. I use an universal iris lens mount on my Anniversary Speed Graphic for that purpose, but that one is the ONLY one I have ever seen that is small enough to be mounted on a Graphic lens board.

4. There is, but why bother? Keep the rangefinder calibrated to your "real lens", and use the GG with the brassies.

[domaz]

For Brass lenses on the Speed Graphic I think you need to be concerned with the physical size of the lens not just the focal length. The lens boards aren't very big really and the inner light trap limits you even more (to about 80mm diameter I think).

[goamules]

like this?


Yes, it is possible. You are asking some extremely broad questions about exposure, mounting, lens types, and the rangefinder. Do some searching on this board and the http://graflex.org site and you'll find answers. (Rather than me explaining each of these points in a long response).

[Andrew]

Hi'ya... I've done this too.
1/ depends on the lens design. As stated the image circle will be a limiting factor as well as the physical size of the lens barrel. The lens design type will have a big effect on the image too as some designs have a signature like the swirl of the petzvals. Meniscus lenses can give a lovely soft glow. You might be surprised how sharp and modern the rapid rectilinears look if they're stopped down. You'll need to do some research there.
2/ if there's no aperture control you shoot wide open. QED. In that case all you need to know is the f-value of the lens which is focal length divided by the aperture. As an approximation, focus infinity and measure from the film plane to the lens centre and divide that distance by the smallest inside diameter of the lens.
3/ as per the above picture by Garrett: if you have the original mounting flange it's easy, you just put the flange onto a lens board and off you go. If you don't have the flange and you want something more robust than gaff tape it's harder but you might be able to make out how I've mounted onto a home made board by using screws and padded "washers" to protect the brass. I can give you more detail if you want.
4/ I'll go out on a limb and say to forget the rangefinder and just use the ground glass.

[olwick]

like this?


Yes, it is possible. You are asking some extremely broad questions about exposure, mounting, lens types, and the rangefinder. Do some searching on this board and the http://graflex.org site and you'll find answers. (Rather than me explaining each of these points in a long response).

Thanks Garrett.

I've read the graflex.org site extensively and there's no mention of using brass lenses, other than saying that the Pacemaker FP shutter is optimal for using them. Hence my questions.

[goamules]

Your desires and questions need to be refined.

Using a brass, or any other lens, is a matter of what type of formula it is. "Brass Lenses" can be Petzvals, Tessars, Protars, Rapid Rectilinears, Aplanats, Dagors....etc, etc... Every one will need a different focal length to cover 4x5.

[john wood]

Iris chucks & a set of step-up rings for friction mount...both work fine for me, including a big heavy Aviar.

[Ole Tjugen]

Here's my solution - finally found the picture.

It's a Busch Weitwinkel-Aplanat on it, which is why the bed is dropped.

[jp]

Whatever you can fit on a lensboard and doesn't have a focal length more than maybe 250mm. 210mm would be more comfortable if you are doing a bunch of tight portraits or closeups.

You should use the groundglass to focus.