Schneider Super Angulon XL 47mm f5.6

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Says it has an image circle of 166mm@f/22. I would be using this on a 4x5. It obviously would not provide for any type of movement thereby turning the camera into a straight up basic camera, but with a really wide field of view for 47mm. What I am wondering about is distortion and if the image circle listed is correct, how much worse it would get at wider f/stop or if it would be visible after stopping down. I think, but not for sure I would want to use a center filter with this lens to help the vignetting. This lens would have a field of view approximately of a 107 degrees. This would be a 3 frame pano shot horizontally at 45mm for my 5DMKIII, (4 frame if shot in portrait mode) Same field of view on my 35mm set up would be a lens around 13mm (lots of distortion and little detail for landscapes and architecture)

Anyway, anyone with any experience using this lens and its capabilities/pitfalls or an equivalent lens in this range for use on 4x5. Movement not required as long as it covers the frame fully, but welcome if possible. I haven't seen any that I know of except for this one so far.

[Oren Grad]

Schneider's specification is 96 degrees coverage and 110mm image circle at full aperture, 120 degrees coverage and 166mm image circle at f/22.

Linear distortion is very well corrected for such an extreme wide - generally less than 0.5% - but of course apparent stretching of peripheral objects in the field - what many people mean by "distortion" - will be as extreme as the extraordinary field of view.

Desperately needs a center filter unless you want obvious vignetting as a special effect.

There is no other lens this wide for 4x5.

[Dan Fromm]

There is no other lens this wide for 4x5.

44/5.6 Super Aviogon. I've dandled one on my knee. Practically speaking, unobtainable so practically speaking you're right.

[Oren Grad]

44/5.6 Super Aviogon. I've dandled one on my knee. Practically speaking, unobtainable so practically speaking you're right.

Thank you! A quick search reveals that Michael Fatali offered one from his "lens vault" a couple of years ago, for $4,995; can't tell if it sold.

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

I have a Super Angulon 47 XL on a Cambo Wide and a Center filter. This is a fantastic camera for interiors and I have used up to 12 mm shift stoping down to f22. I had also intended to photograph the landscape with it, but the 47 mm is way too wide for the views I am interestet in.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

5k is a bit much. I do like the idea of the 47mm, and rarely shoot wide open, so f/22 would be my max, unless going for the vignetting effect. Center filter will be used then for sure. Thanks for the input.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Schneider's specification is 96 degrees coverage and 110mm image circle at full aperture, 120 degrees coverage and 166mm image circle at f/22.

Linear distortion is very well corrected for such an extreme wide - generally less than 0.5% - but of course apparent stretching of peripheral objects in the field - what many people mean by "distortion" - will be as extreme as the extraordinary field of view.

Desperately needs a center filter unless you want obvious vignetting as a special effect.

There is no other lens this wide for 4x5.

I was looking at a reference document put out by BH so didn't see the small image circle wide open (wasn't listed), good to know.

[Bob Salomon]

44/5.6 Super Aviogon. I've dandled one on my knee. Practically speaking, unobtainable so practically speaking you're right.

Dangled?

[EdSawyer]

Agreed, it has about 12mm of shift (I have one on a Cambo wide also). Center filter (the correct one, IIIC I think?) is a must, really. It requires an additional 2 stops of exposure as well, when using it. It's nearly impossible to focus, even w/o the CF. Your only hope really is to focus it in the center and recompose if necessary, it's basically black in the corners on the ground glass.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Sounds like it is gonna require some skill and judgment to use. Anyone have an image or two they could share they took with this lens?