Goin' Long (8x10 lens, that is!)

Hello! I'd really like to try a long lens on my 8x10. I've got some

barrel lenses that I bought cheap enough, but they are damage to the

point where I really don't want to mess with them---deep scratches

on the rear element, chips missing out of the front, obvious signs

of being dropped on a cement floor, that kind of stuff. I'm

thinking about trying a triple convertable, a Wollensak which I've

heard is somewhere in performance between a Turner-Reich (low end)

and the Cooke(high end.) I've also heard that convertables suffer

when converted. Anyone have any hands on experience using this type

of lens? I'd especially be interested in those using wollensaks.

They are a lot cheaper than Artars, but how much sharpness would I

be giving up? Thanks!

John, I've shot with the 28" portion of a Turner-Reich and did not

notice a loss of sharpness. Loss of contrast, yes. Even with a

yellow filter in front of the lens. I did check focus stopped down. I

picked up a 24" Artar for around $200, since then the Turner sits

on a shelf.

John, take a look at an earlier thread, "Wollensack Raptor" dated 2003-08-28

I use (as my ONLY lens) a 21 1/4" Wollensak Apochromatic Raptar. Nice lens, plenty of coverage. A bitch to work with, so much bellows draw, and I don't even have double extension with it. The exact focal length is 537.3 mm, as marked on the rear element. Works ok for landscapes, but can only focus down to 9' with all movements zeroed.