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Thread: Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

  1. #1

    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    Ok, so the eternal questions always come up.... which camera, which lens, yadda-yadda-yadda. So what else in new and here we go again :-)

    After researching and much gnashing of teeth (including getting my hands on a few options to try them out) I've determined my camera and the likely candidates for a starting lens kit (based on my preferences in MF and 35mm). I would like some feedback on the lenses however so I don't miss anything... particularly on the telephoto end of things. I know it's basically impossible to go wrong with a modern Schneider or Rodenstock, but while I wouldn't trade my Rodenstock loupe for a box of Schneiders, I seem to have a leaning to Schneider lenses. No real reason... but it's there. I'll be doing all sorts of diffferent kinds of shooting from landscapes (although not what might be considered "traditional" landscapes) to kinda-architecture (I'm partial to old abandoned buildings, urban decay, and ruins) to still life work. No macro, but some close-up types of stuff, even some figure studies. As for price, I'm no spendthrift but I'm willing to pay for bang-for-the-buck. My current list is:

    Schneider SS-XL 110/5.6
    The classic "if I could only have one lens" choice by many people here. A little heavier than the APO-Symmar 120, and double the price, but it seems to be the consensus that the bang-for-the-buck is more than worth it.

    Schneider APO-Symmar-L 210/5.6
    A good all around lens that gets me longer. Not as much coverage as the 210 XL, but I can't quite get to the $1700 price difference, and the size and weight of the 210 XL? Oof. I just can't quite get to the "bang-for-the-buck". Care to convince me otherwise??

    Schneider APO-Tele-Xenar 400/5.6 compact
    2 pounds... eh not bad. Price isn't so bad either. This is one I could be talked into something else simply because I'm not as comfortable with the various options in a telephoto design. I want a longer lens, say 400+, but need to have an infinity flange/film-plane distance around or under 300MM. (and this one falls in at about 285mm)

    So.... any thoughts? Any other lenses I should consider (especially in the telephoto area)? Sound like a good kit to get rolling with? (I'd probably purchase these over a few months in exactly the order I have them listed here.)

    Cheers, D.

  2. #2

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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    Sounds good, David. I started with a 90/6.8 Caltar II-N (Grandigon) and 210 Sironar-N (both for $1040 from midwest). The 210 is my most used, and I often run the 90 out of coverage, so the 100XL is probably a good choice. Too bad you don't have more bellows, because I adore my 16.5" RD Apo-Artar.

  3. #3
    Ted Harris's Avatar
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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    David,



    Since you already know that you will get as many answers as there are people on this list I will throw in my two cents worth (and only worth two cents instead of one since we are talking about two lenses). I agree with all those who favor the 110 and in fact when I go out with a single that is the one that travels with me most freuently (second most frequent is the 135 Apo Sironar-S).



    However, at the long end I would not consider the Tele-Xenar unless you needed the tele design because of bellows draw limitations. If you can handle a straight-forward long design lens then you should think about the 450 Nikkor M. It is the only Nikkor lens I own but I do love it. Finally, do you really think you need a lens as long as 400mm? Have yoyu rented one to try it out. Every once in a very long while I know I need a long lens but most often I will take out something in the 300 range only to back off to a much shorter lens. I find I seldom shoot iwth anything longer than 240 when I am shooting 4x5 in the field (studio is another matter).

  4. #4
    Moderator Ralph Barker's Avatar
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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    My 110mm SS and 210mm Symmar-S are my most-used lenses on 4x5. You might hold off on the Tele-Xenar until you see what you really need, however. With only 300mm of bellows, I'd be concerned about the lens needing 285mm to focus at infinity. You might find, for example, that a Nikkor 360T will give you a little more breathing room, allowing for closer focus.

  5. #5

    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    Ted, My camera choice did indeed influence the choice of a telephoto lens, as the base bellows draw is just over 300mm with the base kit. There are options to go longer on the bellows, and I may decide to do that for studio work where I don't have to carry an extra rail out into the field.... then again I may find I just want to go longer even when outside and take an extension rail everywhere (or move to a different camera with more draw).

    As for the question of whether or not I really need a 400mm lens, you may just have a point there.... and if I could find one to rent for a few weeks I'll likley do just that to make sure. But here's where my thinking was in deciding on those focal lengths... On the short side, I carry a camera *everywhere* with me. It's a great little Contax T3 with a 28mm lens and I'm constantly wishing it was longer... at least 50mm, but being it's my quick and light and alwaysa in my pocket camera, I'm willing to compromise. When I was shooting a lot of 35mm gear, I never wanted wider..... just longer and 135mm seemed to keep me fairly happy in those instances. 99.9% of my current shooting is done in Medium Format (6x4.5 format) using a 45-90 zoom lens that I got more for convienience of carrying one (big arse) lens. I rarely if ever use it near the 45mm end, and spend more of my time at the 90mm end of the range and wishing for just a skosh more. I'll also use a 150 lens on my MF.... but usually only in the studio for working with figures. because tht darn 45-90 is just too damned big to carry a second lens with it.

    So the 110 and 210 were no-brainers... a little bit to the wide side and a little bit to the long side of normal. The 400 came in where I kept wanting something a bit longer than I had.... and doing the math from that 135mm lens in my 35mm kit.... I got something like a 400mm at 4x5 format. Again, the Tele Xenar seemed to fit the bill at just under 2lb, decent price, and bellows draw that'll go with my camera.

    D. (Waiting expectantly for people to shoot holes in my logic!)

  6. #6
    Dave Karp
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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    David,

    If you have enough extension, you might want to consider a small 300mm, like a Nikkor M 300mm f/9.0 (which I have and like), or a Fujinon C 300mm f/8.5 (which is highly regarded). I believe that the Fujinon has the shorter flange to focal distance of the two, so you don't need quite as much extension as with the Nikkor. (You can find the actual numbers on Ebony's website.)

    These lenses avoid the tradeoffs of using a telephoto lens. Although some may differ, I find the 300mm significantly longer than my 210mm. The small maximum aperture has not been a problem.

    I hope this was not out of school, but you mentioned that you were not really sold on the telephoto.

  7. #7
    Octogenarian
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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    Hi David,

    The 110XL and the 210L are excellent all around choices. If I were making the decision, I would add either a 135, or a 150 to that lens set. You're going to find that the 210 is a fairly long lens for the 4X5 format. In the future, you can add a Nikon 360 tele, or a Fuji 400 tele, if you dersire. Both will work with 300mm. of bellows extension.

    As usual, I suggest that you call and talk to Jim (and only Jim), at Midwest Photo Exchange (www.mpex.com) for the best prices on these lenses, new, or previously owned.

  8. #8

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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    I agree entirely with Eugene. I think you will want something in the 135/150 range, they are very plentiful used and reasonably priced and can do so many things well. Without seeing what you photograph I am only going slightly out on a limb to say you will use that midrange lens much more than a 400.

  9. #9
    Dave Karp
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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    David,

    Eugene may be right. You might miss a lens in the mid range. Another option would be to consider the 125mm f/5.6 Fujinon CMW. It is reputed to be an excellent lens. I have the prior version (Fujinon W with 52mm filter size and smaller image circle). It and my 210mm are my most used lenses (for landscapes). The 125mm is also handy for architecture (if not as wide as the 110mm). I know it is sacrilege, but I'll bet that nobody will ever know that you used the Fujinon instead of a 110mm XL, if it turns out you opt for this focal length. This also opens the door for a 90mm some day, which is great for architecture, and which I bet you will want for that purpose some day.

    He is also right about Jim at MPEX. He is the best, and if you decide to go for used equipment from him, they will look and perform like new at very reasonable prices. He is very knowledgable and will give good advice. (He talked me out of buying a used camera from him once, because he did not think it was the right camera for my uses. Very honorable.)

  10. #10
    Doug Dolde
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    Care to comment on proposed lens kit?

    Sounds like a great kit to me. I have the 110 XL and a Symmar S 180mm. The 110mm is my favorite but the Symmar is just as sharp. I'm torn between a 300mm Nikkor M and a 400mm Tele Xenar compact for my next lens.

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