Hello, I'm new to the LF world and am working on some architectural views of openings and entrances. The Sinar F that I got had a Nikkor-W 135/5.6 lens with it that seems to be working well, but I am wondering if there is another lens that I should be looking at for architectural work. I like the 135mm focal length and will probably add something in the 75mm and 300mm range later. All suggestions are welcome!
Most architectural photographers I know live and breathe 90mm Super Angulons or the Nikkor/Grandagon equivalents.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
For 4x5, the 90mm is often used with a bag bellows. The f4.5 versions have a larger image circle which is significant when greater camera movements must be used.
The 75mm, 65mm or shorter is used for cramped interiors spaces. These also are used with a bag bellows.
Limitations of the 135mm would be image circle, this would restrict the amount of camera movement possible. It might be better to upgrade to a wide angle lens of 120mm focal length if this becomes a problem.
A 300mm is often used for building detail images..
Do get a normal focal length lens too.
Bernice
Originally Posted by Sazerac
If you're happy with your current combination but would like greater coverage at the same focal length to provide for more movements, look for either an older Fujinon-W 135 (so-called "inside lettering", identifying engravings visible when looking into the front of the lens) or a 135mm Wide-Field Ektar. Your Nikkor covers 73 degrees, giving an image circle of 200mm at f/22, the Fujinon covers 80 degrees at the same aperture (228mm IC) and the Ektar covers even more. Unlike your Nikkor, both are single-coated.
If you want something slightly wider that's still fairly small and inexpensive, look for an "inside lettering" 125mm Fujinon-W, also single-coated. You'll give up a little image circle (211mm at f/22) with this, but it's still got a bit more coverage than your Nikkor.
All of these show up regularly, but not frequently, on eBay.
That being said, 90mm seems an awfully popular focal length with the architectural crowd, as previous replies have pointed out. But any 90 with appropriate coverage will be bigger and heavier that the lenses I mentioned above.
Although the 135mm is a great length I would consider the 120mm f8 Nikkor. I use one on my 8x10 so it has great covering power and is wonderful for 4x5 work because you run out of camera before you run out of lens.
-Rob Skeoch
Keep using the 135mm until you know you want to replace it for some reason. If it's too long look at getting a shorter lens. If it runs out of coverage look for a lens with a larger image circle.
One more lens to consider is the 110mm Super Symmar XL, which has lots of coverage (just covers 8x10, so I've read) and is slightly wider than the 135mm if you don't want to go all the way down to 90mm. I use one on 5x7 and 4x5 and find I like it better in most cases than the 90mm for the little bit of architecture I shoot. It couples well with a 75mm (I like a 1.5X multiplier for spacing my lenses).
If you like the "feel" of that angle of view, no need to look elsewhere. But in terms of usable image circle on 4x5 film, you're not going to have a lot of surplus for
serious rise or other potential movements typical of many architectural subjects.
Your 135mm Nikkor-W is a very nice lens, but it's not really a "wide angle" lens.
In fact many people consider 135mm to be the "standard" focal length for LF, much like 50mm for 35mm film.
I think the most popular FL for 4x5 architecture is probably 90mm, provided it has a large enough image circle.
I use a Fujinon SWD 90/5.6. Its image circle is 236mm @ f/22, which allows significant movements on 4x5.
For comparison, your Nikkor-W 135/5.6 has an image circle of 200mm @ f/22 and 156mm @ f/5.6.
Many consider the Nikkor SW 120/8 to be the ultimate architecture lens with its huge 312mm IC, but it's large (80mm diameter front and rear) and expensive. I love mine, but I use other focal lengths also.
- Leigh
If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.
Speaking from experience, for exterior architectural photography use the longest lens that works. Save the 90mm and shorter lenses for the intended situations, most often interiors. Working for architects as clients, I found their preference was for the longer lens perspective.The 150mm was used quite often, and on occasion, the 250mm. Of course, a 90mm is essential if you are a professional in that line of work and sometimes a 75mm will be necessary. The 135mm lens you have is also a good choice for architectural work.
I certainly agree with Merg that most viewers will likely prefer the perspective provided by lenses closer to "normal" focal length.
Shorter FLs are commonly used when the option of moving farther from the subject is not available.
- Leigh
If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.
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