My first LF lens purchase was a Turner Reich Triple Convertible in 12/25/28 configuration. Still love it, and use it regularly even though I now have way too many lenses.
My first large format lenes were 90 Super Angulon, 150 Symmar S, and a 210/370 Schneider convertable on a Cambo SCII. I was working in a photoshop in Charleston, SC at the time and knew pretty much what I was getting into. That was 1971. Don't have the box but still have the lenses.
Greg Lockrey
Wealth is a state of mind.
Money is just a tool.
Happiness is pedaling +25mph on a smooth road.
For personal work I started with an 8x10 Sinar P (used) with a Nikkor 360mm f6.5 (used) and used that for a long time as my only 8x10 lens. For a special project I obtained a Schneider Super Angulon 165mm f8 (used) with the center filter. Recently I obtained an Rodenstock Apo-S 240mm f5.6 (used) and a Schneider Apo-Symmar-L 480 f8.4 (used - a lucky purchase opportunity). All this is heavy, but I don't mind and I am thrilled with the results.
When weight is an issue I use a much more manageable Linhof M679 for 6x9 film and a 4x4cm digital back with a bunch of film and digital lenses from 35mm to 200mm This equipment has great movements and rigidity, but its not really "large format".
From what I read from this forum, 8x10 is not really "large format" either!
My first lens was a Nikkor W 150 f5.6. It was and is a nice lens to start with. I used it a lot with my Toyo 45AII learning how to take pictures of the inside of lens caps. Next I went with a Nikkor SW 90 f8 and then a Nikkor W 210 f5.6. Since that time I have acquired and used a lot of lenses, mostly Nikkors but with a healthy dose of Schneiders(10), Rodenstocks(4) and a very nice little Fuji-W 150 f5.6 I recently got from a member of this forum. My favorite lens is probably my Nikkor 300M. It really is a superb small lens with a huge IC. My best pictures have come from this lens. I don't know why but I love the images I get with it. When I use it, I almost think I know what I am doing (sort of....).
I've started to acquire some 8x10 lenses for the inevitable day when I lose my mind and give in to buying a larger format camera. The shortest 8x10 lens I have is a Nikkor SW 120 f8 and the longest is a Nikkor T-ED 800. I'm 55 and like to shoot landscapes and figure I only have a limited number of years left to try a larger camera if I want to take a picture of something more than 10 feet from the car.
Cheers,
Dave B.
My first lenses were Rodenstock 180 5.6 and 210 caltarIIn 5.6, I use the 180 quite a bit, but I just got a 300mm which I seem to use most often now.
BR
I bought a complete ex-RAF MPP S-94 5x4 kit in the early seventies. It came with a 184 mm Wray Lustrar (f/4.5) and an 89 mm Wray Wide Angle Anastigmat (f/6.3). The Lustrar is OK (I still use it occasionally), and the WAA forms a recognisable image. It was alright for what are now called 'environmental portraits' - I used it with the 3000 ASA Polaroid film.
4x5 first was a 210 Symmar-S, followed by a 120 Super Angulon, then a 305 G Claron. OK, I'll admit that although I never met the man, Fred Picker provided the advice for my 4x5 lenses. I've recently added a 90 Super Angulon and a 150 Macro Nikkor just arrived the other day....Thanks Ted.
8x10 360 Symmar-S (came with the camera), I already had the 305 G Claron. I've since added a 240 Fujinon, 450 Fujinon, 600 Fujinon, 300 Symmar-S (came with the second camera), then 355 G Claron and finally a 450 Nikkor-M. These lenses were acquired with an eye toward ULF and 7x17
7x17 the 305 G Claron, 450 Nikkor, 600 Fujinon and 355 G Claron were in my possession prior to owning the 7x17.
I rarely use the 305 Symmar and 360 Symmar-S. If I'm ever attacked by a bear or thug, I think the 360 will come in very handy as a weapon, it weighs about 1/2 a ton!
That was 1971. Don't have the box but still have the lenses.
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