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90mm f/4.5 Enlarging Ektar
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 3:24 am    Post subject: 90mm f/4.5 Enlarging Ektar Reply with quote
Hi gang,

This forum is so much fun. Your fine work has inspired me to get out and shoot with some lenses that have been just gathering dust in the cupboard. First up is a nice 90mm f/4.5 Ektar Enlarging lens. When I am at a camera show, I have never been able to pass up an Ektar - especially when they are $10 or less. I have two of these. This is the nicer of the two. The other one is a little hazy.

I am pretty sure this lens boasts a Heliar design. It lacks some contrast, but makes up for it in sharpness and what I consider to be quite nice bokeh. In this case, the lens is much better than the photographer.

I have included pictures of the lens, how I adapted it to my 5D Mii, and some sample pics. Enjoy!

P.













PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It looks pretty good. One of the shots has busy bokeh, but on the whole it's pleasant enough.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice setup with infinity focus (?), and good results.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
It looks pretty good. One of the shots has busy bokeh, but on the whole it's pleasant enough.


Thanks so much for your comments!

I bet the busy one you're referring to is the one with the three cornflowers in the foreground. I agree it's busy, but somehow, it's kind of interesting and seems to work. The bokeh is much more well behaved in the fourth image - the one with the Hosta blossoms in the foreground.

It seems to have a range of performance. I really should have used a lens shade!

Best,

Paul


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Minolfan wrote:
Nice setup with infinity focus (?), and good results.


Thanks! It definitely hits infinity - beyond, actually. This is easily controllable simply by adding or subrtracting extension tubes!

Best,

Paul


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 1:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What great results, and a nice looking set up as well


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Brilliant!!!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think most, if not all, enlarging lenses have quite funky Bokeh. It's almost their defining characteristic when used as taking lenses. But that's what makes them interesting, IMHO.

I have this lens but have never even used it, also the 100/4.5 Ektar. Maybe I should pull my finger out and do so!

JJ


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 2:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
jjphoto wrote:
I think most, if not all, enlarging lenses have quite funky Bokeh. It's almost their defining characteristic when used as taking lenses. But that's what makes them interesting, IMHO.

I have this lens but have never even used it, also the 100/4.5 Ektar. Maybe I should pull my finger out and do so!

JJ


I like the funky rendering as well. It is distinctive!

I know exactly what you mean - I have had this lens and also the 100/4.5 Ektar you mention for ages and just shot this one this last week. The 100/4.5 is marked Projection Ektar, and unfortunately is kind of hazy. I didn't really think there was a difference between the 100 and 90, except for markings. They look identical in almost all respects. I am not sure what the tolerances are like on focal length for these lenses. I thought maybe the projection Ektar was marked 100 mm rather than 90 mm because 100mm it is closer to 4" - the old way of marking focal lengths..


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nesster wrote:
What great results, and a nice looking set up as well



woodrim wrote:
Brilliant!!!



Thanks, guys!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can't go wrong with any Ektar! Brilliant samples! Big thank you for mount explanation!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
very nice series! I love the busy bokeh fifth one from the bottom.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
You can't go wrong with any Ektar! Brilliant samples! Big thank you for mount explanation!


Hi Attila,

Thanks for the comments! You're right about the Ektars. Much like Canon L glass, Ektars were always the best that Kodak had to offer. Although, not an Ektar, one of my favorites has always been the Monitor's 101mm f/4.5 Anastigmat Special. I don't have one right now, so I am always on the lookout for a trashed Monitor with a clean lens.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kathmandu wrote:
very nice series! I love the busy bokeh fifth one from the bottom.


Thanks, Kath. It has a real painterly quality, IMHO!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
pdccameras wrote:
Attila wrote:
You can't go wrong with any Ektar! Brilliant samples! Big thank you for mount explanation!


Hi Attila,

Thanks for the comments! You're right about the Ektars. Much like Canon L glass, Ektars were always the best that Kodak had to offer. Although, not an Ektar, one of my favorites has always been the Monitor's 101mm f/4.5 Anastigmat Special. I don't have one right now, so I am always on the lookout for a trashed Monitor with a clean lens.


I never heard of Monitor, if you can get one let us now and publish samples!


PostPosted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
[/quote]

I never heard of Monitor, if you can get one let us now and publish samples![/quote]

I will definitely. In the meantime, here is a quick article about them:

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Kodak_Monitor

Best,

Paul


PostPosted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 11:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rats, now I really have to work on mounting my Ektars (161/135/100).


patrickh


Very fine pictures.


PostPosted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
patrickh wrote:
Rats, now I really have to work on mounting my Ektars (161/135/100).


patrickh


Very fine pictures.



Thanks, Patrick! You have some beautiful Ektar glass there! Check out this excellent article on Ektars:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/classic-experts.html

Best,

Paul
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