Kodak Aero-Ektar 2.5/178mm

pentaxpete · Joined: 02 Dec 2011 Posts: 651 Location: BRENTWOOD England

I was given a 1943 [/b]Kodak Aero-Ektar f2.5 178mm ex-RAF lens[/b] many years ago -- I had a mount made for my 1971 [/b]Pentacon Six and it works very well even at close range, although it was designed for Aerial Photography over Germany in WWI and to cover a 5x5" negative -- unfortunately it has been damaged as it fell off my darkroom bench on the Pentacon Six focussing bellows and dented the rim but the glass is OK -- however, it has the famous 'Thorium Radio-Active elements in it so is a bit 'yellowed' with age -- I wondered if I had got my Prostate Cancer in 2004-5 and then my non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2007-8 from exposure to the radio-activity but I was told it is too small amount ----
Oxford Street with the 1943 ex-RAF Kodak Aero-Ektar 178mm f 2.5 lens at full aperture.

London 5 by pentaxpete, on Flickr
An actor I took for his portfolio, Ilford FP4 + film, Bowens Studio flash, lens at f11

Lee by pentaxpete, on Flickr

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

Looks like a very capable lens Pete. Glad you're still with us, those ailments sound very trying. On the radiation front, a single flight in an airliner would expose you to more so I think the lens is pretty safe to use.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

It's a well know performer and it clearly shows. Wide open it rather a soft lens but with a certain nice glow, good for landscapes. Have you ever tried that Pete?

pentaxpete · Joined: 02 Dec 2011 Posts: 651 Location: BRENTWOOD England

Thanks for viewing -- No I have not used it ;'wide-open' for Landscapes as usually the light is too strong and I run out of shutter speed at 1/1000th second.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Thanks Pete. Forgot to mention that the radiation from that is certainly not enough to induce such sort of diseases.

pentaxpete · Joined: 02 Dec 2011 Posts: 651 Location: BRENTWOOD England

paul49er · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 11:16 pm Post subject:

Really like the Actor shot Pete.

Reminds of some of the great 50's Hollywood Portrait shots - very inspiring. Hope your health improves and you stick around for a long time yet. Your photography has a lot to offer.

Kind regards...Paul.

pentaxpete · Joined: 02 Dec 2011 Posts: 651 Location: BRENTWOOD England

Thanks for all you kind thoughts Folks seeing my Prostate Lady Jan 30th -- hope she signs me off --