LensCraze: Ł.Z.K. Polkinar 120 mm 1:1.8 [Polish cinema projector lens]

Yesterday I got my hands on an interesting Polish lens Ł.Z.K. Polkinar 120 mm 1:1.8 and I just couldn't wait to test it!

The lens was designed to work with AP cinema projector for 35 mm film, which was manufactured in the '50s by Łódzkie Zakłady Kinotechniczne. As far as I know from Uncle Google, it's a common Petzval lens. Nevertheless, the focal length and maximum aperture are truly interesting. You have to admit that!

So first of all, it's a really huge lens. Here you can see it compared to a 4/3 Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60 mm 1:2.8-4.0.

Ł.Z.K. Polkinar 120 mm 1:1.8 (Polish cinema projector lens)

Ł.Z.K. Polkinar 120/1.8 compared to Olympus ZD 12-60/2.8-4.0

As you can see my Polkinar isn't in his best shape. I never minded working with decayed lenses as long as the glass was ok. Unfortunately front lens was pretty damaged too. I guess it's caused by debonding of glass:

View through Polkinar - damage on the front lens.

It wasn't supposed to work with cameras, so there's no mount, thread or bayonet. Not even a focusing ring or aperture. I have an idea how to make a good mounting that will let me focus easily and even might provide some shift, because coverage is really nice. And when you add this to it's aperture you'll just get a paper thin focus :)

I couldn't wait so I took some freelensing samples. Unfortunately, when you do this, a lot of light come in from sides and pull down the contrast. So this time I let myself to push it a bit, when developing RAWs in Photoshop CS6.

Camera: Lumix G2
Mount: freelensing
Edit: PS CS6 scaling and RAW development contrast push