P3D 2.8 Realist Kodak Ektar had *36*mm lens

[LSmart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Smart, Lattie MD06)]

The Kodak-made Ektar lens found on some of the 2.8 Realists were of 36mm FL.! I've heard several anecdotes about these:

I heard (from this list?) somewhere that the David White Co. decided that Kodak wanted too much money for the lens pairs and started to have their own made (the White lens and/or the Steinheil? "Made in Germany" lens).

(WARNING: dim-memory anecdotes follow - please, retain your Lawyers in your holsters)

According to a conversation w/ Charles Piper (it used to be in my stereo circle, that I'd say "According to Charles Piper"...and demand that we would all stand in reverence as I opened and read from the Scriptures - "Technical Notes" :-) ). Anyway, as I recall, he told me that the Ektars were not too sharp (and he had the line-test negs to prove it). He said that Kodak made them 36mm because they weren't somehow able to even make them correctly at 35mm! He said that the So. CA. stereo club, with it's movie star membership back then, were really sold on the Ektars and that some members even complained about Piper's photo column in a local paper where he dismissed the Ektars and wrote other heresies :-)!

I've heard of a few fabulous Ektars, and of a few disappointing ones as well. It's always a crap-shoot out there, folks! According to another conversation I recall w/ Zak (Ron Zacowski, the other revered Realist authority - sort of the Anti-Piper, or is Piper the Anti-Zak?!?! :-) ), anyway, according to Zak, his personal favorite (even above a Custom) was a particular 2.8 Ektar he owns (and has been coveted by others who borrowed it). Of all the Realist models, he said he'd prefer an Ektar...IF...he could personally test and choose among the batch!

the sermon has ended,
Peace among you,

LS


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