I have a Anniversary Speed Graphic 4x5. I've seen a lens that I'm interested in. It's an old barrel mount B&L licensed mfg. Tessar marked "BAUSCH LOMB ZEISS TESSAR SERIES II(TWO) B - 5X8 f 6.3 PAT. FEB.24 1903 No.1215824"

It appears to be in nice condition and since the speed has a focal plane shutter...

I'm curious if anyone can tell me what the focal length of this lens is and if anyone here has mounted anything like this on their SG? Obviously, if I get it, I can figure the focal length once on the camera, but if anyone can tell me if it's in the information on the lens, that would be a big help.

Thanks,

William

the old way or stating focal length was the size of the negetive that it would cover thus a 5x8 will cover that size in inches. using standard geomerty (diamater = focal length), square root of 5² + 8²=9.43. 1inch=25.4mm. 9.43 inches x 25.4=239.62mm.(call it a 240mm). It should cover 4x5 easily.

_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a quality photograph is worth a million.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-08-25 20:57 ]</font>

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On 2005-08-25 20:56, 45PSS wrote: the old way or stating focal length was the size of the negetive that it would cover thus a 5x8 will cover that size in inches. using standard geomerty (diamater = focal length), square root of 5<sup>2</sup> + 8<sup>2</sup>=9.43. 1inch=25.4mm. 9.43 inches x 25.4=239.62mm.(call it a 240mm). It should cover 4x5 easily. _________________ While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a quality photograph is worth a million. <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-08-25 20:57 ]</font>

According to the 1920 B&L catalog posted at http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info.html , the lens' focal length is 8 3/8" = 213 mm.

Sweet! I was guessing about 210mm so that should work just fine. Short enough for the bellows, long enough to work as a nice 4x5 portrait lens. I won the ebay auction for $11.20, so at the moment I'm a pretty happy camper.

I'm presuming that to use this I'll need to fabricate a wooden lens board, mount the lens, move the infinity stops and then be able to simply shoot as normal with the FP shutter?

There are some decent pics in the listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7540944134&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Thanks all!

William

Right. There has been some good discussion on this board about making lensboards -- easy to do, for an "Anniversary Speed." Also about "Graphic" focal plane shutters and their strengths and weaknesses.

Bausch & Lomb "Tessars" were around for a long, long time, and the two I've tried were fine performers. If this one has been treated gently, it ought to be a very good picture-taker.

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On 2005-08-26 14:26, wlewisiii wrote: <snip> I'm presuming that to use this I'll need to fabricate a wooden lens board, mount the lens, move the infinity stops and then be able to simply shoot as normal with the FP shutter? <snip> Thanks all! William

Good for you. I'd been watching it, but I don't need another 210 +/- so didn't bid against you. I have a couple of shorter B&L Tessar IIbs that shoot fairly well. Good luck with yours.

But why do you want to relocate the infinity stops? If you're going to focus on the GG, all you need do is figure out roughly where the lens' infinity position is. Then, when you're setting up to shoot with that lens, move the front standard to that position and make sure its square to the rails.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

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On 2005-08-26 17:32, Dan Fromm wrote: Good for you. I'd been watching it, but I don't need another 210 +/- so didn't bid against you. I have a couple of shorter B&L Tessar IIbs that shoot fairly well. Good luck with yours.

Glad you felt that way I'm really quite excited to be giving it a try and even more happy to be doing so at quite a low price.

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But why do you want to relocate the infinity stops? If you're going to focus on the GG, all you need do is figure out roughly where the lens' infinity position is. Then, when you're setting up to shoot with that lens, move the front standard to that position and make sure its square to the rails.

Interesting. I thought I would need to move them on an Anniversary. I'll certainly give this method a try though. It'd be a boatload easier for switching back and forth with my 127/4.7 Ektar.

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Good luck, have fun,

Thank you, I intend to have as much fun as I can with it. I just wish they still made Plus-X in sheet sizes... for my tastes that film and a Tessar are just about as good as it gets.

William

Just to follow up. I received the lens and, to my eyes at least, it looks even better in hand than the photographs in the auction. A friend made up a lens board, I've got it mounted and just got back from setting the infinity stops. It is 8 3/8" focal length, f6.3 to f45, and has at least 20 aperture blades in the diaphraghm - the bokeh ought to be amazing.

Off now to dunk the test shots then find an awl to inscribe the infinty position on the rails.

William