75mm lens for 5x7?

[Carsten Wolff]

I occasionally use a 75mm f/4.5 SW-Nikkor on my 5x7". No movements to speak of of course, but it handles 5x7" with good corners at f22.
I imagine you're asking because you only contact print/scan and really want the full neg for some reason, right?

[Ramiro Elena]

I don't crop Carsten. It is just my thing, I don't like it. I forgot about the Nikkor... hmmm

[Bernice Loui]

The ideal solution would be the Schneider 72mm XL with a center filter.. Yes it does cover 5x7 / 13x18cm with a very tiny amount of movement. I have one, and have yet to use it much since new.

Been down the road of this focal length for 5x7 before trying Schneider, Rodenstock and Nikkor they all don't quite cover properly and should have a matching center filter to correct for the inherent light fall off.

Since cropping is not an option, the choice is to use the 72mm XL and ideally with the matching center filter.. and expensive solution but one that will meet your needs and expectations.


Bernice

I don't crop Carsten. It is just my thing, I don't like it. I forgot about the Nikkor... hmmm

[Ramiro Elena]

Agreed, but it'll sure be a weird match for a cheap box that can't even focus

[DolphinDan]

Hi Ramiro,

I used the Nikon NIKON-SW 75mm f4.5 @ f22 when shooting 5x7 and got some vignetting *when using movements*. If you do not use movements, or possibly stop down beyond f22, then this lens should cover 5x7. I would try the lens provided that you could return it if it does not work out for you.

Namaste
Daniel

[8x10 user]

Of course no 75mm lens has more coverage then the Gorez Hypergon.

[Michael Roberts]

Another option, inexpensive, is a 90mm Extreme Wide Angle 12.5 Raptar. No need to modify the box, just add 15mm to the lens board.

[Ramiro Elena]

That idea I like a lot. The 90mm Extreme Wide Angle is in my saved searches already.

Another option, inexpensive, is a 90mm Extreme Wide Angle 12.5 Raptar. No need to modify the box, just add 15mm to the lens board.

[Roger Hesketh]

At last somebody has demonstrated an ability to think outside the box and suggest an elegant solution to the problem. Pun intended. Their was actually a commercially available 5x7 fixed focus box camera made by Burke and James utilizing a Series IIIa f12.5 EWA Wollensak lens. They however conservatively utilised the longer 4 and 5/16 inch version of the lens sold by Wollensak for use on 5x7 whilst allowing lots of movement.

I have one. Prompted by this thread I dug it out last night and tried unsuccessfully to coax the Betax 2 shutter the lens is mounted in to operate at more than one speed.

The OP has really rather boxed himself into a potentially expensive corner by trying to go quite so wide. I understand why. He had the lens, but that job really calls for a lens with an angular coverage of 115 degrees. As we have seen their are very few options at that focal length and all expensive.

Michael your simple but inspired solution opens up all sorts of other possibilities in terms of vintage and less expensive glass.These are still very wide. If you go a 1/4 of an inch longer to 82 mm a Cooke series VIIb or it's Dallmeyer equivalent will not quite cover but the lens design does not appear to mechanically vignette the image. They are 100 degree lenses really. They are however relatively inexpensive and if lucky can be had for the price of a good meal. At the same focal length a Watson Wide angle Holos will cover as it is a lens which covers an Angular field of 110 degrees. I do not have a 5x7 camera that will allow a lens that short to be focused so I can not say from experience it will cover but it's bigger brother at 4.6 inch (114mm) will cover 8x10 so it is likely.

Another option, inexpensive, is a 90mm Extreme Wide Angle 12.5 Raptar. No need to modify the box, just add 15mm to the lens board.

[Ramiro Elena]

Roger, I cannot thank you enough for all your insight. Both of your suggestions are what I was looking for.