I have an Anniversary 4x5 with an Ilex #3 shutter and a Paragon 163 mm f4.5 lens. Appears to be in good condition. My question is, would this make a fairly good general purpose lens, or what was it more specifically designed for?

In terms of popularity the 'Big Three" lenses found on Speeds were Ektar, Optar, and Paragon. Paragon was the American Motors of the big three. Not real popular, probably because of the size of that shutter, but a good general purpose lens nonetheless.

The lenses are good, probably uncoated, and are a Tessar in design, same as a 162 Ektar or Optar, and a wee tad faster.

Thanks much! Your answer helps put things into perspective (hope that wasn't a pun...lol). I'm new to this whole area of photography, and I find the subject of lenses and shutters a little arcane at first. I'm used to nothing more complicated than my old workhorse, the Pentax K-1000. Gene

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I'm used to nothing more complicated than my old workhorse, the Pentax K-1000. Gene

That puts you two steps ahead of those that use the auto everything[PHD] type cameras!