So now I have my first negatives shot with my 90 Optar. While I have not printed them yet, the initial impression is that the lens seems soft towards the edges. Also, I have the viewfinder adapter for the tube finder and it is (surprise!) none too accurate. And lastly the bed rails are "seen" by the lens as I set it up without dropping the bed. This may be an issue as I am using the lens on a Crown, and the lens wants to be positioned right over the yoke hinge. I will have to play with it a bit with the bed dropped to see how it works out that way. Is this lens known as being soft at the edges? and does anyone have a suggestion for a more accurate finder?

Can't help you with reptutation, but I can help you with the rails.

Open the camera and drop the bed. Then pull the standard out until it runs into the dropped rails and back it off slightly. You should be able to focus without a problem and with out the raills in the photo . I did this with an Angulon all the time.

Les