I am new to the LF Photography. I own a Speedgraphic 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ with an Ektar 127mmm/4.7 . I know the problem of the film format and the advantage using old Kodak lenses on my camera because I will use only the better part of the lens. Is there anybody who can give me some dates about my lens. Like image circle, sharpness and more. I heard that this lens was the best corrected lens on axis of the Ektar series. Does anybody has experiences with the Wide field Ektar 80mmm/6.3 ? My English is not so good. I am German living in Mexico. Many thanks. Volker

-- Volker Schlichting (euvopana@hotmail.com), November 20, 2000

Answers

I can't give you any dates, but I use a Ektar 127 on my 22 & 23 roll backs for my speed grafic, it is very sharp and I have no problems with it at all. Pat

-- pat krentz (patwandakrentz@aol.com), November 20, 2000.

volker-- i have been shooting with a 127 f4.7 ektar on a 4x5 speed graphic (though with minimal movements). i have found it to be very sharp.

one note, a recent set of photographs i shot were closeups, about 1:3 at max maginification. the lens is not terribly well corrected for closeup work and i found that there was some distortion.

for normal work i have found the lens to be sharp and an excellent performer. i particularly like the look of the pictures it produces for environmental portraits.

-m

-- michael (mnm207@is9.nyu.edu), November 20, 2000.

Volker, I use the 127mm Ektar on a Crown Graphic and my tests show that it is razor sharp at f22 and gets softer at wider apertures. It is a very good lens for your money. Even for close up portraits, it gives very little distortion.

Greg

-- Greg Rust (kgeicrust@aol.com), November 20, 2000.

A press photographer once wrote that he was tickled to death the day he traded his 135mm Graflex lens in for a 127mm Ektar, because it allowed him to stand 2 feet closer to his subject, with the rest of the press photographers.

-- Dave Richhart (pritprat @erinet.com), November 22, 2000.