Distinctions on various Bessa II folders.
Distinctions on various Bessa II folders.
OK ... can someone explain to a Bessa folder ludite what's so special about the Lanthar and what were the alternatives! 😀
The biggest distinction was the three lens choices and the values.
A) Color Skopar.... entry level lens... with good IQ
B) Heliar ..... 5 element (I think).. nice examples $500 - $600 est.
C) Apo Lanthar. A rare earth element-lanthanum-is used in the glass to increase the refractive index of the glass. Hence Apo Lanthar. Zeiss and others used Lanthanum.
The Bessa II's that I have seen with Apo Lanthar lenses have all sold in excess of $2000. Partially because of rarity in numbers and the Lanthanum process.
Interestingly, the "other" more often found lens using Lanthanum is the Rodenstock Ysarex 127 lens (Tessar formula) used in the Polaroid Pathfinder 110, 110A, and 110B cameras everybody is modifying for hand held large format. (Littman, Razzle, etc.) That lens is quite sharp and capable, but is often considered a "dime a dozen" lens, notwithstanding the lanthanum glass.
I've used the Polaroid Rodenstock Ysarex in Polaroid shutter for large format on the front of Graflex and Graflex Super cameras for excellent results considering it's a >$100 lens when found in excellent condition.
So, perceptions rules again when you consider the large value difference in the Apo Lanthar 105 found on the Bessa II and the much lower value when lanthanum is found in the Rodenstock Ysarex glass on the front of a lowly and obsolete Polaroid camera.
