I have just purchased a Miniature Speed Graphic with a Graflex Optar 101mm lens in a Graflex shutter. I already have a Kodak Ektar 101mm in a Kodak Supermatic 2 shutter. Which is the better choice? I've only heard good about the Ektar, but I've not heard much about the Optar. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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On 2004-11-11 09:49, TimKean wrote: I have just purchased a Miniature Speed Graphic with a Graflex Optar 101mm lens in a Graflex shutter. I already have a Kodak Ektar 101mm in a Kodak Supermatic 2 shutter. Which is the better choice? I've only heard good about the Ektar, but I've not heard much about the Optar. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Tim, the Ektar has a somewhat better reputation but the Optar has its partisans too. Since both of your lenses are far from new and may have been abused, their reputations mean little. The best way to find out how well the lenses you have in hand perform is to ask them.

Cheers,

Dan

Dan is correct, put the two lenses to the test and you will have the answer in hand! Meanwhile, you will also discover which shutter is easier for you to work with. I have several Optar lenses, all in Graphex shutters, and they are preferable to the Supermatic, but that's only one opinion. YMMV.

Thanks for giving me something to think about. For some reason, I was thinking about trying one or the other, not both. I have a Graphex shutter on my 4x5, and know that I like the operation of it better than the Supermatic. Thanks again for your input!!