150mm 5.6 Caltar II-N

[sper]

Any thoughts on this lens? I was considering the Rodenstock Apo Symmar N, but I've heard that the Caltars are Rodenstocks so I figure I could save some cash with this... Plus I used a Caltar 300mm once and it was fantastic.

Has anybody ever used this lens, particularly with color film?

 

[Zonan]

I've used the 135mm and 210mm with color- both very sharp. If you don't care about being seen "driving a Caltar", why not put the extra cash to use on film or...?

 

[sper]

Hahaha 'driving with a caltar" That actually made me laugh! No, I don't mind. If I wanna look 'cool' I use the Hassy or a rangefinder. It's kinda tough to look like anything but a wannabe Ansel with a 4x5 wood field camera. 🙂

I'm actually planning to use the extra cash to get a fresnel and a reflex monocular. I'm shooting street scenes in Brooklyn and I don't feel very comfortable under a dark cloth.

 

[drewbarb]

Most Caltars sold since the 80's are indeed Rodenstock lenses, and are identical to their Rodenstock branded counterparts. They are generally excellent lenses to use.

Here's a link with more information about Caltar lenses. (Ignore the usual board regulars in-fighting.) http://www.photokb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/photo-large-format/217/Caltar-Lens-Who-makes-it

 

[sper]

Those guys are funny. I look forward to buying Caltar 150 and 90mm lenses!

 

[kuzano]

Rebranded lens.

Rebranded lens.

Calumet (and I believe Cambo) have their own lens line... Caltar.
Over the years, both Schneider and Rodenstock have made lenses for Calumet and branded them Caltar. They are not seconds and yet sell for a lower price point because that is Calumet market. Calumets are often used in photography schools and education programs.

You can often look up the exact model name and find out if the Caltar lens you are looking at is Schneider or Rodenstock. The placement of the alpha and roman numeral characters in the model name is important to make this distinction.

They are great lenses and tend to be very good deals, IF you are not the type of person who buys and sells regularly. It's not uncommon to have a bit of a hard time selling a Caltar.

 

[sper]

I just figure I'm going to leave the lens snobbery to my smaller formats. KEH is now offering the 150mm Caltar II-N for $275!