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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:28 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:28 am
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This is all the info I can find about my Kalee Variomorph lens, it was made by Taylor, Taylor and Hobson and is a strange device with a prismatic system, quite different to most anamorphic lenses that use a cylindrical element:

Quote:
Anamorphic VistaVision

Paramount developed and promoted VistaVision in the U.S. In England, The Rank Organisation adopted the high resolution process. In addition to the standard 35mm reduction prints, Rank released several films in 8 perf horizontal format. In 1957, they announced that another print format was available, an anamorphic system similar to the one proposed by Paramount but with some differences. In the Rank anamorphic format, the print received a 1.33x squeeze instead of 1.5x that Paramount had recommended, and, like Paramount, they reverted back to the Academy 1.37:1 frame specifications. This yielded a screen image close to 1.85:1, the most favored non-CinemaScope aspect ratio. The benefit derived from the anamorphic print is that the frame was 33% larger than a "flat" 1.85:1 print, resulting in a brighter, sharper image on screen. The Rank anamorphic system offered a slightly better image than Paramount's anamorphic system because a slightly larger part of the original negative was used. For projection of their anamorphic prints they offered the "Varamorph" adjustable anamorphic prismatic lens, illustrated below. Obviously Panavision, Superscope, and Hi-Lux variable anamorphic lenses, which had been on the market since 1954, could be used for this system as well.

The "Varamorph" (below) was manufactured by Taylor, Taylor & Hobson, a highly respected optical house that had become a division of Rank by this time, and marketed by Gaumont-Kalee.



Kalee Varamorph variable anamorphic lens



The Kalee Varamorph lens, designed for Rank's anamorphic 1.85:1 VistaVision, wound up showing CinemaScope for the most part. The Varamorph is fully adjustable from 0x to 2x anamorphic decompression. The lens has marks for 1.37x, 1.5x, and 2x. J. Arthur Rank ordered a small number of 1.33x anamorphic prints. Other than those, the Varamorphs wound up being locked off at 2x for CinemaScope films.

At right, Gaumont-Kalee 35mm projector fitted with magnetic and optical sound plus a Varamorph adjustable anamorphic lens.
Photo Courtesy of David Johnson





How the hell am I going to go about adapting this huge, heavy cast metal beast is a mystery to me, probably best to mate it to a projector lens, so Probably best to attach it to my Rathenower Visionar which is a Projector lens for this type of film projector. Or maybe it will work well with ne of my Ross f4 5-inch lenses?

I will have to buy a very hefty tripod to support that lens combo though, must be a good 15 kilos of metal and glass! oh, and would be over 0.5m long as well, without camera attached!


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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:54 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:54 am
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I found a picture of this lens on an old projector - it's the large gold boxy-shaped thing at the front:



Another picture of the lens, you get an idea how big it is:



And this is the projector it was attached to:



I notice that this lens is installed a fair distance from the lens on the projector and not attached to it, obviously for use with a camera, it will need to be attached to the objective lens, I can see this being a very difficult or maybe impossible job to convert it to use on a camera, but I like a challenge!

This is the version of the lens I have:



The American Widescreen musem website says this about it:

Quote:
> > Gaumont-Kalee introduced the Varamorph variable anamorphic lens
> > to compliment Rank's 1.37x prints. It was a top quality device weighing
> > slightly more than an armored car with three settings on its adjustment
> > dial, 1.37x, 1.5x, and 2x. Like its American counterparts, the Varamorph
> > wound up being locked down in the 2x position.
>
> We've got two of those behemoths and they're beautiful! They have more
> positions marked than you note ... including 1.25x

The Super Panatar and the Gaumont-Kalee Varamorph are both incredible
boat anchors. Talk about heavy! The factory markings on the lens I
have, which I obtained from John Mitchell in Oz, indicate only 1.38x,
1.5x, and 2.0x


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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:03 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:03 am
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This is my copy of tthe lens, serial number 1010 (probably only a few thousand were made) and it is in optically very good condition, no fungus or scratches, just a tiny bit of dust. Has the mount to put it on a projector with it.






Might not be all that rare, but it is certainly unusual imho.


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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:59 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:59 am
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What is 'rare' for the purpose of this thread? Is a lens 'rare' if copies exist, but few (if any) people write about it? Of if it is not basically a camera lens? I am not sure whether any of these would qualify as 'rare':

* Rodenstock XR-Heligon 120/1.8 (Xray)
* Schenider Betavaron 50-125/4-5.6 (enlarger zoom)
* Schneider PC-Cinelux 60/2.8 (projector) perspective control
* Industar-58 75/3.8 (enlarger or projector?) big black horn
* TDC-VIVID and GoldE Anastigmat's 127/3.5 (projector)
* Gundlach Turner-Reich Anastigmat 12in f/7 (large format)
* Beattie-Coleman Photo Navitar 10in f/4.5 (large format)
* Gefitec Auto Zoom 85-210/4.5 (Minolta MD mount)

That last was probably churned out by Kiron, but I can't find GEFITEC anywhere. Oh yeah, I can use all of these (except the Gefitec) on my K20D.

At home, I have a few odd optical objects, the oddest being one that I have not yet successfully photographed. It is in a nameless sealed-base lens body about 6cm diameter and 5cm high, and weighs 220g. Behind the deeply curved objective is a sort of mirror-prism arrangement. Strangeness: Aim light at it. Rotate this optical item 180 degrees, and the reflection rotates 360 degrees!


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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:53 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:53 am
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I do have a few rare lenses. My favorite is the Fujinon-SW S f:5.6 50mm, a super wide designed for the Fujica G690 series. These cameras were made in the 1960-70s. They delivered 6 x 9 pictures on 120 or 220 film and had interchangeable lenses. The 50mm, launched in 1973, was the widest lens of the lot, with an angle of view exceeding 90°, the same as a 21mm lens on full frame 24 x 36. Optically, it was a superb lens but, since this lens was very expensive when it first appeared and also since it only went for sale for five years, there are only a few units remaining today. I am lucky enough to have two copies of this outstanding lens.

Here's the lens:



And here it is on a GL690 camera :



Cheers!

Abbazz


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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:44 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:44 am
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iangreenhalgh1 wrote:

Ross Xpress f4 5 inch Air Ministry


Rare only if a civilian (non A.M. marked) version made by Ross themselves. Copies made under Air Ministry orders are quite common and the cheapest large format wide angle around. Even more so as you'll often end as the only bidder since they are near impossible to sift out on ebay, not being marked with anything long or descriptive enough to be used for a search, apart from the reference number (mostly 14A/843, plus some others) which few sellers are wise enough to put into their description.


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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:21 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:21 pm
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Good point Sevo, the second Ross I just bought cost me 10ukp because it was just listed as 'old brass lens', seller knew nothing about it, slightly blurry pic, luckily I recognised the lens from the pic and, like my first copy it's in excellent condition with unmarked sparkling glass.

This second one is No. 171326 and has ref. no. 14A/1101, doesn't have ny other markings apart from 'f4 5in', f-stops 4, 5.6, 8 and 11 and the crown with 'A M' either eide.


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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:19 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:19 pm
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Abbazz wrote:
I do have a few rare lenses. My favorite is the Fujinon-SW S f:5.6 50mm, a super wide designed for the Fujica G690 series. These cameras were made in the 1960-70s. They delivered 6 x 9 pictures on 120 or 220 film and had interchangeable lenses. The 50mm, launched in 1973, was the widest lens of the lot, with an angle of view exceeding 90°, the same as a 21mm lens on full frame 24 x 36. Optically, it was a superb lens but, since this lens was very expensive when it first appeared and also since it only went for sale for five years, there are only a few units remaining today. I am lucky enough to have two copies of this outstanding lens.

Here's the lens:



And here it is on a GL690 camera :



Cheers!

Abbazz


Such a beauty! Nice to see you here again!


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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 5:15 pm
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 5:15 pm
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Attila wrote:
Such a beauty! Nice to see you here again!

Thank you, Attila.

Here's a picture of the big Fuji G690 next to my vintage Asahiflex:



As you can see, that's a nasty camera!

Cheers!

Abbazz


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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:48 pm
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:48 pm
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Shocked BIG!


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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:29 pm
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:29 pm
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I want one!

I have big hands...


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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:20 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:20 pm
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Probably not that rare but not often talked about:

Super Varexon 200mm f/3.9

Can't find much information, other than that is a Zeiss design and made in Japan, apparently.


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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:15 pm
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:15 pm
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How about De Oude Delft Deltamar lenses, 52mm f/2.7, 64mm f/1.8, 70mm f/1.6 (apparently the most common) and 150mm f/2.8. These came out of a TA-7M camera, used in an Orpheus pod underneath Starfighters and F16s.


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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:51 am
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:51 am
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Attila wrote:
Military Sonnar 18cm f2.8 L39




Friend of mine bought it when a Luftwaffe pilot passed away.
Finally I did purchase from him, I never seen any info on NET. Some old Hungarian collector could recognise it they said military finish is obvious (more stripes on focusing barrel) , friend of mine said less than 10 pcs made. Any info much appropriate!


Looked it up for you Attila. That lens was made 3.7.1945 and computed 5.4.1940. It was a batch of 100 lenses (end numbers 501-600) with CONTAX mount.


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:29 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:29 pm
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Hello everybody,

maybe I finally ended up in the right place Wink .

I have this Rikenon 17mm f/4, does anybody know anything about it?

Google has completely nothing to say, not a link, nor picture or a review, nothing at all. Seems as I'm the only person on this planet owning this lens. Laughing

I'll post some pictures if you wish.

tnx in advance.

bye

Smile


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:32 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:32 pm
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well, here's one from the man who sold it to me



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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:46 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:46 pm
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Welcome nice to see you here! Look another 17mm f4 marketed by another brand like Tokina etc and compare finish. Ricoh not made own lenses just marketed them with own name. They did select lenses carefullly I didn't see any poor lens from them.


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:19 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:19 pm
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Thanks for the hint Attila!

I did a deeper search and the only 17mm f/4 (not fisheye) I could find are these:

Rokkor 17mm f/4
http://cgi.ebay.it/Minolta-MC-W-Rokkor-17mm-1-4-/160645109859?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Objektive&hash=item256731d863

Soligor 17mm f/4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLIGOR-Auto-Ultra-Wide-1-4-f-17mm-LENS-/130556573054

Honestly the Rikenon resembles more the Soligor shape.
Could it be the original manufacturer or also Soligor's are rebranded lenses?

Wink


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:25 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:25 pm
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Minolta lenses are not re-branded , Soligor is re-branded lens also. Try to hunt Tokina that is possibile original manufacturer.


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:33 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:33 pm
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It probably is a Tokina, they did a later 17mm f3.5 so this f4 could well be an earlier version. The Tokina 17mm is superb btw.



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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:37 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:37 pm
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Attila wrote:
Minolta lenses are not re-branded , Soligor is re-branded lens also. Try to hunt Tokina that is possibile original manufacturer.


Tokina apparently only made a 17mm f/3.5.

Btw, are we going OT? Embarassed


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:43 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:43 pm
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Here a few pictures I took with the Rikenon during my trip to Marocco:

http://flickr.com/gp/slowmotion77/dH00S8

what do you think?

Wink

p.s.

how much would I be able to sell this lens in your opinion?


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:05 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:05 pm
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Ebay will tell you how much you can sell it for.

Last edited by iangreenhalgh1 on Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:44 am; edited 1 time in total


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:28 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:28 pm
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on web size like you presented on flickr we can see only lens can capture light and camera create picture I don't see any fine details. Show larger images and people able to judge on it.

Expect low price even if this is 17mm lens, made by unknown manufacturer and branded a cheap Japanese lens. If you like it keep it, if not sell it for what people willing to pay it.


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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:28 pm
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:28 pm
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slowmotion wrote:
Here a few pictures I took with the Rikenon during my trip to Marocco:

http://flickr.com/gp/slowmotion77/dH00S8

what do you think?

Wink

p.s.

how much would I be able to sell this lens in your opinion?


excellent photos, reminds me to buy UWA lens Wink
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