LF Lens Filter Rings

Another Newbie question. I can't determine what size of filter

rings my LF lenses take. They were all made in the 50s or 60s and

are not stamped with any of the current size numbers. I've measured

the diameters but cannot find any cross-reference to the current

filter ring sizes. In other words, the diameter of my 210mm Ektar

has no obvious relationship to the thread diameter of a current 55mm

ring. I plan to use the Cokin P system and thought about their

universal holder but I think the lens ring on the 90mm Angulon is

not wide enough.

 

Searched the archive and found a thread saying Cokin makes a 40.5mm

ring for the A holder and that setup will work on the Angulon.

That's good because I already have the A system for my 35mm stuff.

 

So, what do I do? Anyone know the solution? I'm also assuming the

P size filters are best for LF (at least that's what I've been led

to believe). Here's the lenses I have:

90mm Schneider Angulon

135mm Wollensak Raptar

210mm Kodak Commercial Ektar

For the Ektar it might be a series filter. Gel snaps by Lee? I'd love something that could be used on all the old style lenses plus the process lenses with no filter mount at all.

The 90mm Angulon takes a 40.5mm adapter, and I use Cokin A series myself. They're significantly cheaper, and work fine as long as you don't have any exceptionally large filter needs. I have 40.5 and 49mm adapters for the A series... and they can go as large as a 72mm adapter(I think). Maybe someone else can fill you in on the 135 or 210.

Hi, Alex. I found an old Kodak instruction sheet for the Commercial Ektars. It lists a 44.5mm adaptor ring for series VII filters. It also lists 1 3/4 inches. I'm not sure if the thread is really metric or English. Kodak dominated the American market, so the sizes may well have been English rather than metric. For general interest, here are some other things from the brochures:

8 1/2 inch lees infrared focus shift .008in or .20mm

10 inch lens IR .012in or .30mmfilter 54mm or 2 1/8" for series VIII

12 in lens IR .016 or .4mm 63.5mm or 2 1/2" series VIII

 

I believe your 135 Wollensak Raptar is the same lens as the Graflex Optar. I think Graflex contracted with Wollensak to make their lenses. A Graflex buff might want to add something to this. The 135mm was actually the "correct normal lens" for the 3 1/4x4 1/4 size, but some creative person found it worked well on 4x5 also. (Corner definition is improved by stopping down.)

 

Still looking for my box of lenscaps. Ken

Thanks Ken and Mike. The filter ring threads are such a fine pitch that I'm not sure it makes much difference whether they are English or Metric. Sounds like a good reverse-engineering project for tonight.

Assuming the Raptar is like the Optar [NO inside threading for filters] you'll have to get a 38mm slip on adapter ring made by Kodak, and use Series 6 filters in it.

Another possibility (which I use for LF) is a spring snap-on holder for 3" square filters (gel and film). Both B&H and Calument sell the holders; I use them with Lee filters and cardboard filter holders.

Send the lenses the Steve Grimes.