What Lenses for ULF Photography?

[John D Gerndt]

I'll add a Kodak Wide Field Copying 18 inch f16 to the list for 12x20. I have not shot extensively yet with this lens but I doubt if it is much different from any other Kodak MTF characteristics for single coated optics. It is a heavy chunk of glass with a 4 inch exit opening so be warned, you'll need a good sized Packard shutter to use this lens. I have read in passing that they can be put in a Copal #3 as the minimum aperature is quite small.

Just for the Hail Mary here, if any MTF information could be added to or conjoined to subjective comments about how a lens renders a scene I would pay dearly for that data. It would be as useful as the curve matcher in BTZS.

Cheers,

[sanking]

Thanks for all the information.

My own experience with lenses for ULF is as follows. All based on aperture of f/45 or f/64.

1) 11X14 and 7X17

180 f/18 Series V Protar -- just covers

210 f/9 Computar -- just covers

240 f/9 Computar -- just covers

305 G-Claron -- covers with lots of movement

240 f/6.8 Goerz Dagor -- just covers

270 f/6.8 Goerz Dagor -- covers with some movements

300 f/6.8 Goerz Dagor ---covers with lots of movement.

At focal lengths of 350mm or more virtually any lens will cover 7X17

2) 12X20

210 SSXL -- covers with some movement

300 Computar -- covers with about two inches of movement

355 G-Claron -- just covers

12" Goerz Dagor -- just covers (but not all 300mm Dagors do)

14" Goerz Dagor -- should cover (but many 14" Dagors do not)

16" Dagor -- most cover

450mm Nikkor M -- covers with lots of movement

480mm Symmar-S -- covers with lots of movement

19" Dagor -- Covers with huge movement

Virtually all lenses of 600mm or more will cover with movements.

[David Flockhart]

For 11x14 and 8x20. The Kodak 21 1/4 (540mm) anastigmat covers nicely and does, as someone said, have slightly less contrast than some modern lenses but this can be put to good use. I have made some very contrasty images with this lens even though it is less contrasty than some others. The oft' mentioned 355 G Claron, 450 Nikkor M and the Nikkor 610 and 760mm Nikkor process lenses fill out the rest. The 760 is an awesome lens and provides a really nice perspective for these formats. The 355 and 760 are used more than the others.

[e]

260mm WA Nikkor process lens covers 7x17 with knife biting sharpness right out to the corners. Only goes to f32 though. Very likable lens. Protar VII triple convetible 305/480/590 for 7x17 tames sunny days nicely. 250mm SF fuji for a different look on 7x17.