Banquet Camera Lens?

[Frank Nickerson]

I am starting to build a large banquet view camera. Although I have not settled on the film size it will probably be either 12X20 or 16X20 or both. I would like to know what lenses might have the coverage to reach out to 20+ inches. I have a couple big lenses but they begin to fade out at around 15 inches.

Thanks Frank...

[Ed Burlew]

try the fuji 600mm

[Carl Weese]

A 16.5 inch dagor will cover 12x20 (how much movement available will depend on the design of the barrel) and a modern 355mm G-Claron does nicely. The 450 M-Nikkor covers the format easily, I've heard. By the time you get up to 600mm an Artar will do the job with ease, the problem is more with shorter lenses.

[neil poulsen]

There's currently a wide-field 19" de Golden Busch at Midwest Photo Exchange that would cover both. It's expensive, though.

Looking into it one time, these are the lenses that I would purchase if I wanted to cover giant format. They're relatively modern, and they have tremendous coverage.

[James Conrad]

Hi Frank,

I recently embarked on the same adventure but built a 12x20 back for my 8x10. There are plenty of people who read this board who can help as well.

Dagors can vary in coverage, seeing a 12" cover 12x20 and 16.5" not and vise versa, it seems to depend on barrel design perhaps? or someone else can shed some light on why this varies. A 19" will most definatly cover 12x20 and beyond. I have a 14" dagor that covers 12x20, a 355 G Claron and a 19" dagor. A 24" artar and up will cover 12x20. Down side is most lenses that cover 12x20 and up are expensive.

On the good side I found someone who makes film holders out of cherry wood and they are very nicely made and I am thrilled with the quality. And the prices are excellent! Contact Sandy King at sanking@clemson.edu

Good luck with your project!