Graflex.org

[jmcin]

Recently was given a 15" f/5.6 Wollensak/Graflex Tele-Optar in a 3 3/4" lensboard. Would this be adaptable to work on my Beseler 45MCRX? What kind of lens-to-negative distance is required and would this cover 8x10 negs. if I adapted the enlarger? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, John.

[Les]

I know the lens will illuminate an 8x10 image at infinity with some movement, but I don't know how bad those edges are and suspect they are pretty soft. At close ranges of course you gain image circle, but this lens certainly isn't optimized for macro work.

I"m not sure if the enlarger is large enough. Assume for a moment this lens is a normal 15" lens. If your doing a 1:1 image you'll need twice the focal lenght on both sides of the lens, that's 5' between the easel and the film carrier, plus a bit more for the lamp house. If you want to go larger than 8x10, the bellows distance decreases but the combined distance increases, So I'd think your looking at a minimum distance between the film and the easel of 6'. The telephoto design will help to a degree.

I say you can fiddle with formulas for hours and still not be certain or grab some matte board/card board and ducttape and find out what will do in a matter of minutes.