Hi there, I used to operate large cameras doing line shots in typesetting/graphics houses. A line shot is a shot which only involves lines, not continuous tone like photographs. Type, diagrams, page make-up, etc. The same cameras and lenses can be used for half-tone work as well.
The lens you have was made for close-up work, is optimized for a flat field. If you use it for enlarging you should get exquisite results. Graphic arts film is very slow speed, orthochromatic, very high res and high contrast. The lenses used in that work *must* be sharp as a tack and not distort anything. It's probably pretty well corrected for color as well, although I can't promise anything; I don't know enough about this particular model. I wouldn't be surprised if it were an Artar knock-off. The gizmo it's attached too is also familiar to me. These large cameras are set up to do shots at anywhere from (typically) 15% to 300%. Some have even greater range. Therefore your bellows extension (often computed in feet) will vary considerably. The equivalent f/stops are inscribed for various percentage ranges (which means a broad range of bellows extensions); the lever sets the aperture appropriate for the percentage enlargement or reduction (or 100% of course). You dial in the typical aperture for your film and the "range" gives the correct real, extension-compensated aperture. That lens has a built-on flange with holes (I have two just like it). You'll probably be able to easily detach it from the whole mechanism just by unscrewing a few machine screws. I haven't really put mine through their paces (13" and 15") but they cover plenty on 8x10. I'll be testing them out once my 8x10 equipment is up and running (after a few other projects are out of the way). If you put the 15" on a 5x7 enlarger you'll get a real reduction in size of the print as opposed to, say, a 210mm -- *if* you can focus at all! It would probably be great for horizontal projection for large prints but you'd need plenty of light and a fast speed paper. It would be great as an 8x10 enlarger lens, as it's longer than "normal" focal length for that format. You won't get any linear distortion using the lens on those formats, just good, straight, undistorted enlargements with good contrast. If I were you I'd put it on the biggest camera I have and shoot with it, color or b&w. Most process lenses do great as taking lenses too. I'd imagine you'll be really pleased with the results. For good sharpness and contrast I'll bet it'll hold its own against anything else on the block. Let us know! Hope this helps. 'Bye for now, --Michael _______________________________________________ Cameramakers mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://rmp.opusis.com/mailman/listinfo/cameramakers
