Calumet 4x5" and Tintype

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I have an old 1960s era institution gray Calumet 4x5" camera. I do not have any lenses for it currently. Interested in experimenting with tintypes using the Rockland kit. Can you recommend a lens that might work well for tintypes? Reasonably affordable if possible.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

 

<p>Buy an old Kodak #3a folding camera and pull the shutter off of that. Or get a shutter/lens from a press camera like a 162mm Wollensak. Or a 150mm Xenar. </p>

<p>If you want period-type images, there are tons of Ilex-type lenses. Anything from before the 50's would probably look good. If you want a lens with pretty good resolution and contrast, you can pick up 135mm or 150mm view lenses on modern shutters for cheap. Nikon, Schneider, Rodenstocks, Caltars, etc., are all cheap (probably in the $150 or less range if you get lucky on fleabay).</p>

<p>162mm Wollensak?</p>

<p>That's an interesting idea. I never thought about using an enlarging lens. Common and affordable.</p>

<p>JD, I think Tom meant a <a href="http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/wollensak_14.html">Wollensak camera lens</a> in shutter, not an enlarging lens. Wollensak made a whole range of camera lenses. The Raptar (a tessar type) is probably the most famous Wollensak brand name.</p>