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127 f4.7 Tominon coverage


john_robison4

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Presently I'm using a 130mm f7.7 Kodak Anastigmat from a old folder that has a negative diag of 5 inches. It will cover 4X5 fairly well, without too much falloff. I was just looking for a more modern lens that won't cost too much. (it's a hobby after all) All the Kodak lenses I see that were for 4X5 press cameras have the bi-pole sync connections for flash and I don't know if they will sync electronic flash anyway. I'd like to have something more modern with a regular PC connection as I intend to use flash on occasion. If anyone is wondering why I don't just bite the bullet and shell out 2 or 3 hundred dollars for a used but more modern lens it is because I'm retired, fixed income and cheap. These 4X5 Rite-way film holders just fell in my lap so I thought, "why not".

 

Oh, the 130mm lens was free.

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John, I have one. I shoot it on 2x3, where it does very well at all distances.

 

As far as I know it is a perfectly fine 127/4.5 Tessar type like all of the other 127/4.5 (or so) Tessar types including the well-regarded 127/4.7 Ektar. They all just cover 4x5, Bob is mistaken. Not like him, but there it is.

 

If you have one, mount it up and try it. If you don't and want to use electronic flash, which shutter is y'r 130/7.7 KA in? I ask because if it has "X" class flash sync there are bipost-to-PC adapter cables. Paramount makes them, use Google to find them. I use one with the Flash Supermatic my 101/4.5 Ektar is in.

 

I just looked at 127/4.5 Tominons on eBay. There's one for $25, all of the others are in or the price range of 150/6.3 and 150/5.6 Fujinons. No question that they'll cover 4x5.

 

I too am retired and on a more-or-less fixed income so I understand y'r situation. I got my 127 Tominon years ago when they were very inexpensive. If you want a widish normal lens for 4x5 that can be used with flash, first check whether y'r 130/7.7's shutter will sync properly with electronic flash. If it will, get the cable. If not, go for a cheap 127/4.7 Tominon. If Bob's scared you away from that, give up on 5 inch lenses and go for a 150/6.3 Fuji.

 

Good luck, have fun,

 

Dan

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Thanks folks,

Dan, the 130mm is so old it has no sync at all.

I was watching that one for $25 but didn't want to bid until I could check out it's coverage. The seller said it was for 4X5 but that means not much.

It was bid up to $37 but I was out when it ended. There is always a deal, if not today, then tomorrow or the next day after that. I've developed the habit of not jumping too soon.

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I was hoping someone has first hand knowledge, who had tried it out.

 

hi john

yes it covers, or at least mine does ...

it came as the "taking-lens" / "attached lens" on my speed graphic ( 4x5 )

when i bought it from e.p. levines back when they were on 150 lincoln street in boston,

i've used it for 30 years on that camera and a toyo view camera with no issues whatsoever ...

a variety of distances from the film plane, portraits, architectural-stuff / site work

and at infinity, never a problem ( negatives and chromes ). its a nice little lens ..

and mine was sold in a self cocking copal type press shutter ...

good luck !

Edited by jnanian
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hi john

yes it covers, or at least mine does ...

it came as the "taking-lens" / "attached lens" on my speed graphic ( 4x5 )

when i bought it from e.p. levines back when they were on 150 lincoln street in boston,

i've used it for 30 years on that camera and a toyo view camera with no issues whatsoever ...

a variety of distances from the film plane, portraits, architectural-stuff / site work

and at infinity, never a problem ( negatives and chromes ). its a nice little lens ..

and mine was sold in a self cocking copal type press shutter ...

good luck !

Have you done camera movements with that lens?

Since it is in the Press Shutter it was probably also salvaged off a Polaroid copy camera.

Have you tried comparing it to a lens like a Symmar or Sironar on the same shot?

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Thanks for all the help large format folks. I'm the type who will put almost anything that will form an image in front of the film. I have a series 5 plus 5 diopter (200mm) close up lens I've mounted but not tried yet. With a 1/4 inch hole working at f32 or a 1/8 inch hole at f64 I figure it will be good for contact prints on 4X5, or maybe even a 2X enlargement. The edges and corners will probably be soft but the center should be good. Using photo paper as a negative at ISO 6~12 and these small apertures the lens cap will work as a shutter just fine as the exposures are at usually several seconds even in bright overcast outdoor light.

If I can just find time. Retired grandparents yes, but babysitters too and that 2 year old runs me to where I need a nap. Probably ought to start teaching her film photography with the 4X5.

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Have you done camera movements with that lens?

Since it is in the Press Shutter it was probably also salvaged off a Polaroid copy camera.

Have you tried comparing it to a lens like a Symmar or Sironar on the same shot?

 

hello bob

the speed, has no movements other than whatever rise /shift is on the standard on the toyo, yes, but nothing drastic ..

i don't have a symmar of that focal length, still its image circle isn't as large as a symmar

( i never suggested it was or that it has massive coverage ) ... i don't own a sironar ...

sure the tominon doesn't cover as well as other lenses, .. it won't cover a 5x7 sheet but that's ok ...

when i use it on a 5x7 i expect it to vignette a little ..

polaroid was about 2 minutes away on the other side of the charles. levines used to get a lot of used polaroid copy stuff .. :)

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Bob, AFAIK the 127/4.7 Tominon was the standard 5" lens on Polaroid's GelCams (various designations) and was never sold for the MP-3 or MP-4 copy stand. The MP-3 had mainly Ysarons in Prontor Press shutters, the MP-4 Tominons in barrel screwed into a diaphragmless Copal #1 Press. The longest standard lens for the MP-4 was the 135/4.5 Tominon in barrel. Much worse lens than the 127/4.5.

 

I have no Sironars, do have a slightly hazy 135/5.6 jes' plain Symmar. On 2x3 (remember, the largest I shoot is 6x12) the Tominon is no worse than the Symmar.

 

The 127 Tominon is a surprise. I fully expected it to be mediocre, like the MP-4 tessar type lenses.

 

Rodenstock made tessar types. I have no idea how the 127 GelCam Tominon compares with the 135/4.5 Rodenstock sold Graflex Inc. for use on 4x5 Graphics or with the 127/4.7 Ysarex Rodenstock sold Polaroid for the 110.

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