f/12.5 helps this guy win the title of The smallest lens I own. Being f/12.5 also lets the 90mm Wollensak Raptar win the title of The biggest nightmare to compose on ground glass with. Not too bad if I am using in bright light, but when the lighting is dimmer, or if I'm doing some night photography, it can be a bit painful. I nearly passed out waiting for my eyes to adjust enough to use this lens while shooting Wall of Vacuums. Though I guess it didn't help that it was about 96 degrees in the room, and I was under a poorly ventilated dark cloth, and at an awkward angle since I didn't want to keep the camera level.
On the plus side, I consider the 90mm Raptar to deliver much sharper negatives then its 135mm brother which I also own.
And I still can't get over how small it is. It is indeed the cutest lens I own.
A Complete PRESS Camera Needs 3 Lenses
Wollensak Raptar 135mm f/4.7
Bang! I just spent a dollar.
September 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I'm really envious of you about this lens, i think I have seen only one of these f12.5 versions coated!.. i have two of the f6.8 version.. like em' coz they are tiny and good for handhold, even made a pocket 9x12 (patent etui mod) with one.. but this one is sharper and has more coverage. Your photos really prove that... SO i shall droop a bit
'´
September 9th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
And mine happens to have Wollensak's W with the circle around it to indicate that it is coated. Yay! Indeed it is a nice small sharp lens, especially for the price I paid, which was about $50.