Goerz Dagor Series III, No. 2

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

The Lens Vademecum details the coding of the Dagor Rapid Rectilinear lenses with a letter code whereas

anastigmats were identified by a numerical code.  The Series III lenses encapsulated the f7.7 & f6.8 Dagor designs

and its derivatives.  

Dagor Series III lenses of apertures of f6.8 were manufactured in focal lengths from 40mm - 900mm covering 70 -

90 degrees. Identified in the Almanac of 1925 as 'a common but still desirable as a sharp lens, usually in moderate

foci up to about 210mm and often in early shutters - which can be a source of difficulty'.  Typically these lenses were

obtained in shutters according to the order of dates as:

  

• a) compound

• b) dialset Compur

• c) few perhaps in rimset Compur

though many may have been swapped from older dialsets - not always desirable since thread deterioration is inevitable

or threads may not be correctly plane-parallel. The 7 inch Series III Dagor is identified as covering up to  9" x 7" format

when stopped down with foci being nominal.   The epithet 'Series III' refers to the angle of coverage of 70 degrees

compared to the Series IV f11 lenses which offered a wide-angle coverage of 90 degrees.

In 1908 Zschokke recomputed the design with a higher refractive index glass in the centre elements for improved

correction of astigmatism.  There is no obvious sign on the lens to illustrate this, hence the usefulness of the shutter

to identify this later modification.  The Compound type with a cable release socket or Compur shutter, with the lens

mounted in PIM, SIM and SFIM (focusing mounts) are the most reliable feature.  User reports indicate that the Dagor

Series III is sufficiently sharp at working apertures of f16 - f22.  

 

 

 - From the Lens Vademecum.

 

 

 

History of Lens:         This lens was found in the darkroom of its previous owner.  It was attached to an enlarger board in barrel 

                                    (i.e. not mounted in a shutter).

Maximum Aperture:   f/6.8

Focal Length:             Approx 180 mm (7 in.)
 

Shutter:                      Copal 1 shutter (Note: I didn't just screw the lens into the shutter. The shutter was modified to take the lens.)

                                     

Camera:                     Charten-like Japanese Whole Plate camera.

Lens Board:               Custom for the camera, with a Copal 1 sized hole.

Filter Threads:          There are some, but I have no way to measure them at this time.

Weight:                      228 g in Copal 1 Shutter

 

Summary of Visual Characteristics: 

 

Covers the whole plate format with movements. In fact, I have used this lens with my 5x12 inch camera with movements. Note: The diagonal of the 5x12 in. camera is slightly larger than an 8x10 in. camera.  The picture below was taken with this lens.

 

 

 

Shadow contrast is reportedly good on uncoated Dagor lenses with sharpness being acceptable however not quite on a par with modern Schneider Kreuznach lenses. 

 

Recommended Application: General photography, landscape, travel photography