Introducing Grafnoct: The F1.6 Dream for 4×5 Large Format is Now on Kickstarter

For large format photographers, the pursuit of speed has often felt like chasing a ghost. The medium, revered for its unparalleled detail and depth, has long been resigned to slower apertures. Historic legends like the Aero Ektar 178mm f/2.5 are rare treasures, and options below f/2.8 are scarcely more than footnotes in optical history. We’ve always asked: what if we could push further?

Today, we are thrilled to announce that the dream is materializing. The Grafnoct 150mm F1.6 VSF lens project is now live on Kickstarter. This isn’t just another lens; it’s our answer to a fundamental creative limitation, born from a deep passion for the large format process.

Redefining “Fast” for Large Format

Grafnoct shatters the aperture barrier for 4×5 systems. At F1.6, it opens up entirely new creative territories:

• For Classic Processes: It is a game-changer for wet plate collodion, tintype, and direct positive paper photography, where every stop of light is precious.
• For Portraiture: Achieve an intensity of bokeh and subject separation previously unimaginable on 4×5, with a natural, slightly glowing character.
• For Low Light: Capture the mood and atmosphere of nighttime or interior scenes without compromise.

The Heart of Grafnoct: Precision with Character

True innovation lies not just in speed, but in controlled artistry. Grafnoct is engineered with purpose.

• Optical Philosophy: It employs a refined 6-element, 5-group Double-Gauss design. This classic architecture, updated with modern high-refractive-index glass (like H-LAK52), provides a superb balance of sharpness, contrast, and a three-dimensional rendering we call “3D Hi-Fi.”
• Variable Soft Focus (VSF): This is our signature feature. By allowing precise adjustment of spherical aberration, you can introduce a beautiful, controllable glow directly within the lens—from crisp modern to ethereal classic. No more external filters; the mood is at your fingertips.
• Built to Last: The lens barrel is machined from durable 6061 aluminum, and the optical design accounts for thermal stability to prevent element debonding—a critical consideration for such a large aperture.

“This project started from a simple, personal desire: to shoot my Graflex handheld in lower light. It grew into a pursuit of optical excellence, to create a tool that offers both extreme speed and beautiful, adjustable character.” — Yinan, Optical Designer

Designed for the Cameras You Use

We designed Grafnoct to integrate seamlessly into a photographer’s workflow. It is engineered specifically for two iconic systems that can harness its speed:

1. Graflex Speed Graphic: Utilize the camera’s built-in focal plane shutter for speeds up to 1/1000s. (Lensboards will be available for both Anniversary and Pacemaker models).
2. Sinar DB Shutter: Enables flash synchronization, ideal for studio-based alternative processes. (An ND filter is recommended for outdoor use due to the 1/60s maximum shutter speed).

The Team Behind the Glass

Grafnoct is the product of a focused collaboration between passionate experts:

• Yinan: A PhD candidate in Advanced Imaging & Sensing, Yinan is responsible for the core optical design and simulation, ensuring the lens meets rigorous performance goals.
• Rayfor (MUTEX Tech): A renowned engineer in the open-source film community, Rayfor translated the optical design into a manufacturable, reliable product, overseeing mechanical engineering and production feasibility.

This project follows our studio’s ethos of reviving and advancing photographic tools, as seen with our well-received Goerz Hypergon 75mm reproduction.

Join Us on This Journey

Tooling for a precision lens like Grafnoct is extraordinarily costly. By launching on Kickstarter, we’re inviting our community to be foundational in bringing this tool to life.

We need your support to reach our funding goal and make the first production run a reality. In return for your pledge, you can secure your own Grafnoct lens at a significant early-bird discount and be among the first to create with it.

🔗 Back the Grafnoct Project on Kickstarter

This is more than a campaign; it’s a collective step forward for large format photography. Help us turn this optical ambition into a tool you can hold in your hands.

Share this project with anyone who believes in the future of analog creativity.