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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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Rodenstock Eurynar 18cm f/6.8 on bellows
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:13 am
Post subject: Rodenstock Eurynar 18cm f/6.8 on bellows
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:13 am
Post subject: Rodenstock Eurynar 18cm f/6.8 on bellows
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This is, to give it its full title, a G. Rodenstock Munchen Doppel Anastigmat Eurynar 1:6.8 f=18cm. According to the Rodenstock serial number series, this one, 679485, was made sometime between 1930 and 1935.



It looks older than that, possibly because I got it in very bad shape. I cleaned it up as best I can, and I managed to get the diaphragm working, luckily all I had to do was restore the linkage between the diaphragm ring and the blade mechanism. But I am unable to get it open, as both front and back bezels are frozen solid. There is still plenty of dust inside.

The design is also old. I was expecting this to date to the 1910's or so on first inspection. The f/stops are in the very old style - 6.8-9-12.5-18-25-36-50. I think its for a camera and not an enlarger, as the Eurynar was supposed to be a portrait lens.

Performance - well, this one is a problem. Potentially its very sharp, I got some decent shots. However, because of the age, lack of coating, or the dirt inside - or all of the above - this is a very dim lens with lousy contrast, and very hard to focus. Its so dim it knocked out the Av mode on my Pentax, as the +2 exposure compensation wasn't enough. Exposure was by trial and error. It didn't help that this afternoon was often quite overcast.

Old San Francisco Customs building -







This lens does give an antique look to b&w. This is the old Presidential yatch "Potomac", now an excursion boat.









The bird-



crop -



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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:29 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:29 am
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Pretty cool one Luis
The thing that strikes me is the difference between the first shot and then all the rest.
There is a big shift in contrast. Shocked
I really like the 3rd and 4th samples. A truly classic look for my eye.
I won't comment on anything more technical from a lack of expertise.
It looks like a fun piece to have.
Thanks for bringing it out Very Happy


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:15 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:15 am
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Luis
I dont think your eye would let you take a bad picture. This is a pretty amazing sample from a lens of this age. I had no idea Rodenstock made lenses for cameras.


patrickh


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:04 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:04 am
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excellent results !!


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:54 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:54 am
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patrickh wrote:
Luis
.... I had no idea Rodenstock made lenses for cameras.
patrickh


Patrick, don't undermine your reputation...don't say stuff like that!!! Shocked Shocked Shocked


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:56 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:56 am
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kds315* wrote:
patrickh wrote:
Luis
.... I had no idea Rodenstock made lenses for cameras.
patrickh


Patrick, don't undermine your reputation...don't say stuff like that!!! Shocked Shocked Shocked


Well, I'm in the same boat as Patrick... I only knew the enlarger lenses. Sad


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:57 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:57 am
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Excellent results using such an aged lens, The Doppel-Anastigmant is known to be a sharp (portrait-) lens, but you have given proof that ist could alson be used for "normal" photography!

If you once make it here, you'd be more than welcome to test out some of my lenses, I simply never found the time to....

So, about Rodenstock, since many years famous for their large format lenses:
http://www.prograf.ru/rodenstock/largeformat_en.html

more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenstock_GmbH


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:09 am
Post subject: Re: Rodenstock Eurynar 18cm f/6.8 on bellows
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:09 am
Post subject: Re: Rodenstock Eurynar 18cm f/6.8 on bellows
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luisalegria wrote:
[…]But I am unable to get it open, as both front and back bezels are frozen solid.
I got once the same problem with a Coligar enlarger lens. I used plenty of WD-40 penetrating oil, left it overnight. It worked like a charm. The oil is dirty cheap for it's value, it cost me around 4-5 euros a 250ml can.


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:55 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:55 am
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It works, but only use a little drop, if creeps everywhere (and it smells).


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:45 am
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:45 am
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Rodenstock Trinar is quite common on 6x9 foldings (4,5/105) , 24x36 Bilora Bella (5,6/55mm and 4,5/45) , Stereo Camera TDC Bell and Howell (3,5/35mm) ,
http://www.geocities.com/mbarel.geo/tdc.jpg
6x6 cameras (Balda Baldax 2,9/80)
And of course a couple of enlarger lenses (3,5/50, 4,5/75, 4,5/105)
Trinar everywhere ...


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:15 pm
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:15 pm
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Orio wrote:
excellent results !!

Indeed!

Have you checked on a 35mm film cam?


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:03 pm
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:03 pm
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Orio wrote:
kds315* wrote:
patrickh wrote:
Luis
.... I had no idea Rodenstock made lenses for cameras.
patrickh


Patrick, don't undermine your reputation...don't say stuff like that!!! Shocked Shocked Shocked


Well, I'm in the same boat as Patrick... I only knew the enlarger lenses. Sad


Rodenstock did a lenses for cameras of 35 mm too (kodak SRL line) 35 mm, 50/2,8 (Ysarex), 50/1,8 or 9 (heligon?), and , if I don't be wrong, an 80 or 90 mm. too.

Somebody told me, long time ago, that were more sharp than the schneniders for retinas.

Rino.


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:22 pm
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:22 pm
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What about a M39 or M42 or other adapter ring on 35mm cameras ? I saw years , years ago a Mitchell 35mm with a probably modified Taïr-3 on the turret ! Why not an humble Trinar 105 mm on this ? Mr. Green
Tricky business however, with a 61,47 mm register , a "sunk" adapter would be preferable .... Smile
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