[LargeFormat] Bad Kodak Lens

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Clive Warren" <Clive.Warren@megacycle.co.uk>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] Bad Kodak Lens


> At 14:13 14/03/2004 -0800, Richard Knoppow wrote:
> > >   After having touted Kodak lenses for some years I've
> > > finally encountered a bad one. This is a 101mm, f/4.5
lens
> > > for a Miniature Speed Graphic. The particular lens was
> >built
> > > in 1941. The problem is excessive spherical
aberration.
> >
> >   After some experimentation I find the problem
persists.
> >Its possible that the front and rear cell were mixed but
I
> >don't think so. Unfortunately, Kodak doesn't mark the
rear
> >cells with the lens serial number. I will try a couple of
> >other things with this lens to see if it can be brought
up
> >to the performance I expect from Ektars. Very strange.
>
> Richard,
>
> I have used one of these lenses on a similar camera. It
performed very well
> and was in regular use until a couple of years ago as I
used to carry the
> camera around as an everyday point and shoot. The camera
is a delight to
> use - mine has the after market factory upgrade to a
Graflok back.
>
> As your lens problem persists it may be easier to find
another lens as they
> are fairly common and inexpensive. If it will help I can
have a look at the
> lens here and give you any information you need. Good luck
with it.
>
> All the best,
>                    Clive
>
>
  I just posted a long answer to another letter about this.
I expected this lens to be excellent since all the other
Ektars I have are. I will be looking for another lens at the
next camera sale here. I've put so much work into this
little camera that its worth spending a little dough on it
for a decent lens.

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com