Snar Sinaron 55/4,5 MC

[Axel]

As posted here... one question regarding my new Sinaron 55/4,5 MC (green stripe, Copal 0 shutter) :

I bought it to recover some wide-angle possibilities with 6x9cm shots. I don't mind a little illumination fall-off, in fact I quite like it, but if it goes down one stop or more, then no. I don't use any with my Schneider Super-Angulon 75/5,6...

Rodenstock center filter necessary ?

[Bob Salomon]

Probably. It depends on you. All wide angle lenses will have fall off. That is physics. For any Apo Grandagon (including yours) you will need the 2.5x Rodenstock CF, not the 1.5X version. Both are made in 67mm and since all Apo Grandagon lenses are no longer manufactured the 2.5X CF will most likely be discontinued in the near future. So be prepared. Shoot and test know while the filter is still easily available new.

[Axel]

Thank you Bob.

I'll only be using the 55mm for 6x9cm ; on 4x5", the 75mm is large enough for my taste.
Will be doing tests tomorrow on 4x5", then cropped to 6x9cm with a cache and will see if necessary. The price of it (!) makes say that !

[Dan Fromm]

Axel, on the one hand Bob's "probably" is right. On the other, I shoot a 47/5.6 SA on a 2x3 Graphic (no decentering movements to speak of, absolutely no swings or tilts) and don't feel the need for a center filter.

[Axel]

2x3 is... inches ? (sorry for being European ;-)

With the 55mm, I will be using shifts, generally up - architecture demands it.

Fall-off like this I have no problems with (I even like it) but more I will ; that image is a 75mm on 4x5" with a large upward shift.

If I get no more than this with the 55mm on 6x9cm, that's fine. Otherwise... I guess I will have to shed the 500$.

[George Hart]

I have this lens for 6x9 use and I have never felt the need for a centre filter. I guess when I have taken it to the limit of its image circle I've been shooting mainly b&w, and a bit of natural vignetting often looks good on that format. If you are likely to need to use the full image circle on transparency film, it may be worth testing to see if a centre filter is necessary for your type of shooting.

[Axel]

Thanks George - if I could avoid that one bit of expense, it would be great !

No more Ektachromes here (I think there's only one lab left in Paris processing E6), only Portra 400 (4x5" or 6x9cm).

[Dan Fromm]

Axel, what I call 2x3 (inches) is shorthand for 2.25" x 3.25". The 6x9 you're used to is a very poor metric approximation to the actual format, which is (ta da!) 2.25" x 3.25".

And I shoot mainly E-6. You'll really have to try your lens out with a roll of E-6 to find out whether you can tolerate the darkness in the corners with the largest shift/rise you're likely to use.

[Axel]

Yes, it is an approximation... shorthand if you like :)
About 5,7cm x 8,25cm ? The closer to 8,xx and not 9, the happier I'd be.

Why the test on E6 and not C41 ?

[Dan Fromm]

Negative film has much more latitude, reversal film will give a more stringent test. If you intend to shoot color negative film, you should test with it.