Wollensak Velostigmat 90mm II

[Wayne R. Scott]

I know this does not fit a M series camera with out adapter, but I didn't see a LTM section. Does anyone have any info on this lens in LTM? I found one in a photo shop here and was wondering what its reputaion and approximate value would be. I am thinking of using it on a Canon P

I know I should buy it and ask it how it performs, but it may be a little steep in price as I have never seen one before, so I have no comparision for pricing.

Wayne

 

[f/stopblues]

I thought Wollensak was an enlarger lens? I have a 90mm Wollensak for my 6x7 negs.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Wollensak made many types of lens. I also have the enlarger lens of which you speak. I had one in 90mm for 4x5 also. I also have a Wollensak Vitax No.3 f3.8 Soft Focus Portrait lens in Studio No. 5 shutter for large format. This Vitax is rather large and as Monty Python might say it is Biggus Dickus :-D

The 90mm I am asking about is indeed a Leica thread mount lens. I think it is fairly rare.

Wayne

 

[VictorM.]

The old Leica manual describes this as "similar both mechanically and optically to the 90mm Elmar f/4." During WWII, Wollensak made lenses for Leicas to replace the unavailable enemy-made equipment.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Thank you VictorM.

So if this lens is similar to the 90mm Elmar f/4 in performance should I then pay about the same amount for it as I would an Elmar?

Is this a reasonable way of looking at buying the lens? Or would it have some wacky collector type value that would keep it from being a reasonable user type lens? I mainly am interested in user lens.

Wayne

 

[jaapv]

You might pay slightly more because of the rarity (or rather less if the current owner doesn't know what he is selling 😀)

 

[former member]

It is equivalent optically to the Elmar. Wollensak used a good coating on their other lenses. I see them on Ebay occasionally, do a check on completed auctions.


Looked: One completed at under $200, a premium over the Elmar. Note the symbol showing the coating.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wollensak-90mm-...ryZ30076QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Thanks Brian. I had checked E-bay but I missed this completed auction.

The current owner has an asking price of $200 for it. But he also has a serviced Leica IIIf that he was asking $275 for but said he would take $200 cash for it. I am not sure if he will drop the price on the lens as much.

I am debating on the lens, I already have a Canon 100mm f3.5 and I doubt tha I would have any practical use for the 90mm Wollensak that the Canon 100mm won't cover.

Wayne