OK, Graflexers, since you're talking about B&J Dagors, explain this one: 355mm Schneider Dagor in #3 shutter.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15248&item=3816275119&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

If I didn't see the evidence of it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it. I never heard of S-K making Dagors, let alone up to the mid-1980s. Is there a story?

Handsome piece of glass anyway. Would be scary on an 8 x 10.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Dave on 2004-05-22 01:41 ]</font>

The company was bought I think during the mid 70s. They moved production to Europe. IIRC the coverage of the Swiss lenses are smaller then those made in the US. That price seems way out there to me.

C.P Goerz of America was trading till 1973 when Schneider acquired them.
Schneider re-manufactured a 355mm f8 Golden Dagor as recently as the 1980s.
The Sn of the lens suggests a min 1985 date.
If it were a limited edition then the price may be fair. However that doesen't mean i'll be bidding on it. It couldn't be used on my 'Crown anyhow.

If a person is using 8x10 or shorter then the Nikon m300 is less then 1/2 the starting price for that Kern Dagor. Or if somebody wanted something with more coverage almost all the modern lenses aren't much more money then the starting price. That's for a brand new lens.

Unless a person really wants a modern Dagor I personally think the price is high. Plenty of choices on the new market. Even more good choices on the used market.

Thanks for the enlightening discussion. I didn't know anything about this-- I thought the last Dagors were hatched around 1960 or so.

Yeah, you're all right: a new lens for the same money would probably outperform the pants off this. Still impressive to think there's only four (coated) air-glass interfaces there, so I bet this thing is seriously contrasty.

Hey, if primus can't put it on his Crown, does this mean I can't use it on my Century?

I have never seen a #3 lens panel on offer for the Pacemaker Graphic. Also the bellows draw limit imposes a maximum focal length of around 220-240mm.
You can get a modern Nikkor 300mm f5.6 new for the same sort of dough as the Dagor.
I am going to watch this auction to see if the vendor gets any interest.

Dave,

You can use it on your Century, as long as it's a Cenutry No 7 or 8 portait camera in either 8x10 or 11x14.


les

Quote:

On 2004-05-22 11:19, Dave wrote: Thanks for the enlightening discussion. I didn't know anything about this-- I thought the last Dagors were hatched around 1960 or so. Yeah, you're all right: a new lens for the same money would probably outperform the pants off this. Still impressive to think there's only four (coated) air-glass interfaces there, so I bet this thing is seriously contrasty. Hey, if primus can't put it on his Crown, does this mean I can't use it on my Century?

Dave, its time for you to get a 2x3 Pacemaker Speed. The longest non-tele lens that will focus usefully close, say to 1:10 or so, on one is around 360 mm. The longest non-tele lens that will work in front of a practical, i.e., #1, shutter is around 270 mm. A mount adapter including a bit of extension is required. I use a 12"/4 Taylor Hobson tele on my 2x3 Speed; it makes infinity with the front standard inside the box, but these things are scarce, require a tricky adapter to go on a 2x3 Pacemaker board, ...

Cheers,

Dan

Hey, hello-o. Primus. Dan. I was joking. This thing's the diameter of a pizza, and it would cover a basketball court. Well, a <i>small</i> basketball court anyway. I know it won't work on my Century.

Now if I had one of the cameras Les is talking about, that would be a different story. But $1500? That's nuts. That's a good used car.

Quote:

On 2004-05-22 19:48, Dave wrote: Hey, hello-o. Primus. Dan. I was joking. This thing's the diameter of a pizza, and it would cover a basketball court. Well, a <i>small</i> basketball court anyway. I know it won't work on my Century. Now if I had one of the cameras Les is talking about, that would be a different story. But $1500? That's nuts. That's a good used car.

Hmmm. You must eat very small pizzas.

Cheers,

Dan