Period-correct lens for my Eastman No. 2

[2F/2F]

I just got a new camera. It's an Eastman View No. 2 5x7. It's just what I want/need for some projects I have in mind. I am not tied to the idea of shooting as people shot back then...that is silly, and defeats one of the great advantages of large format. But I am curious what would have been a likely lens and shutter on my camera back when it was new. I wouldn't mind picking one up, as it would probably be fairly cheap. It would be fun to use every now and then...kind of like when I used to put bias plies on my car just for the shows, then swap them out for steel-belted radials for daily driving.

A matching tripod would be cool too...

[Barry S]

Well, the No 2 predated the 2D, so something between 1914-1920, although I'm sure a lot of them had late twentieth century lenses. Maybe a Kodak (or Goerz) Anastigmat or a Rapid Rectilinear/Aplanat type lens. There were still a lot of Petzval portrait lenses around and it could have been an early Tessar. I just got a very cute B&L Rapid Rectilinear in an old pneumatic Unicum shutter. It was cheap and like most RR lenses--you can use it as a convertible (two focal lengths). The one I have (~ 5") won't cover 5x7, but maybe you can find something similar. It definitely looks cool with the pneumatic shutter. We'll see what the lens scholars have to say.

[Whiteymorange]

Well, the No 2 predated the 2D, so something between 1914-1920, although I'm sure a lot of them had late twentieth century lenses. Maybe a Kodak (or Goerz) Anastigmat or a Rapid Rectilinear/Aplanat type lens. There were still a lot of Petzval portrait lenses around and it could have been an early Tessar. I just got a very cute B&L Rapid Rectilinear in an old pneumatic Unicum shutter. It was cheap and like most RR lenses--you can use it as a convertible (two focal lengths). The one I have (~ 5") won't cover 5x7, but maybe you can find something similar. It definitely looks cool with the pneumatic shutter. We'll see what the lens scholars have to say.

You actually get three focal lengths with the Rapid Rectilinear: two cells, one with the back cell only and one with the front cell mounted on the back of the shutter. I have a 5x7 planatograph and a simple RR- both fit the 5x7 Folmer and Schwing quite nicely, though that's a 1903 camera. Check the catalogues on Seth's site. You surely will come up with something.

[Deckled Edge]

I recently began to shoot 5X7 with a 12" Wollensak Velostigmat Ser. II in Betax. This large lens may be more than you are willing to tote (or spend), but the results are spectacular, it will look righteous on your camera, and coverage is infinite (I also plug this lens onto my F&S 7X17). Put one on your e-Bay wish list.

[phfitz]

2F / 2F,

almost any lens you can name would have been available by 1914 - 20, petzvals and RR would have been 'old hat' by then. Dagors, Heliars, Tessars, Radars and Dogmars were all new then. Convertibles from Cooke, Turner-Reich and Wollensak were popular also.

Good luck with the hunt.

[jimgalli]

oops. Just saw the date at the top :embarrased:

[2F/2F]

Answer away anyhow, Jim! I still have not picked one up.

[jimgalli]

Goerz Doppel Anastigmat Serie III 8 1/4" in Gold Volute shutter. Downright gawdy

[2F/2F]

Lemme guess....you have one for sale?

I found another in the shop window of a local photo studio, beat to piss from sitting in the sun for decades, and with a 4x5 back. It is a 2D 5x7, not a No. 2. However, it does have a lens in a double pumper shutter on it, and I know the lady who works there. I hope to be able to eventually pick the camera/lens up. Has a wooden tripod too. Haven't been able to climb into the window display to see exactly what lens it is or if it works.

[jimgalli]

ha ha ha ha ha ya think ya know me pretty well eh? Not sure I could ever part with it