Goerz Dagors...What's so special?

[Goza]

What's so special about the Goerz Dagors that they go for so much $$$$? I saw a 600mm Series IV on ebay that went for a few thousand.

But why? Is it the coverage?

[Uhner]

One reason is that a Dagor lens projects a large circle of good definition.

Take a look here: http://www.apug.org/forums/forum44/2...long-post.html

[Rolleiflexible]

There are several explanations.

One is that the lens has few surfaces
and not prone to flare. So the lens
gives good contrast, even uncoated.

Another is that the front and rear
elements are symmetrical; you can
dismount one or the other and lengthen
the lens's focal length.

Another is the lens has a good deal of
coma and, if shot wide-open, will give
some slight glow to highlights as a
result.

Another is their deserved reputation in
the market as first-rate lenses.

And, as already noted, they cover a
wide circle, making them desired as
wide-angle lenses, and for working in
ultra-large formats -- they are small
and light for what they can shoot.

[Ian Grant]

Sanders has just about said it all.

My 10x8 Agfa Ansco came with a coated 12" Dagor, it was the best lens available in the late 30's when the camera was made. The seller said it wasn't worth using he'd fitted a 300mm f9 Nikon M instead. I tried the Dagor and found it to be an excellent lens, very sharp, wonderful tonality so despite already having a 300mm f9 Nikon M myself, and the camera coming with a board for it, I've continued using the Dagor in preference.

Good Dagors are quite sort after which is why they fetch high prices, particlarly the longer focal lengths and the late CP Goerz Am Opt, and Schneider Kern versions.

Ian

[David A. Goldfarb]

Just to add to the above comments, longer focal length Dagors like the 600mm are also a rarity, and there aren't that many good lenses for ultra large formats like 12x20" or 20x24". The limiting factor on the price of a 600mm Dagor is likely to be the price of a new Schneider 550mm XXL, which also happens to be a Dagor-type.

[Goza]

thank you very much. Is the only difference between the Series III and Series IV the coverage? How much do you think a 900mm Series IV Dagor should sell for?

[Goza]

thank you very much. those are very informative posts.

would love to hear someone who had something the least bit negative to say about them, if there is.

[darinwc]

Speaking of Dagors, is it normal for them to be a little soft wide open? I have an unnamed goerz lens that I think is a dagor but it is slightly soft wide open. Perhaps it is a trigor instead?

[Ian Grant]

Or a Dogmar

If it's a Dagor it'll be marked as Dagor, or Double Anastigmatic Goerz in English or German depending on where it was made. There are unnamed Goerz lenses on some of the German company's plate & roll film cameras, these would have been the budget versions, the Dogmar and Dagor were used on the top of the range cameras.

Most LF lenses aren't designed for use at full aperture, Tessar's & Tessar types are soft at the edges & corners until stopped down to f16/f22.

Ian

[Ole]

... If it's a Dagor it'll be marked as Dagor, or Double Anastigmatic Goerz in English or German depending on where it was made. ...

And / or "Serie III", unless it's a Serie IV. Anything else is not a Dagor.