Requests for lens suggestions usually invoke considerations of cost, weight, and coverage. However, I rarely see any comments about the flare resistance of lenses: is it possible to have the sun in the frame without any flare, or at least only minor flare?
For example, I own the much-praised Fujinon 240A. This lens is ideal for backpacking being very light, with great coverage. However, using my "factory fresh" sample it is impossible to have the sun in the frame (e.g. for a sunrise landscape composition) without shot-destroying flare. I see this problem consistently even with a good hood. Assuming that the flare is typical behaviour - the lens is perfect in every other use - it is a stand-out clunker compared to e.g. a 75mm Nikon, 90mm Schneider, 150mm Fuji, and 400mm Fuji T. My experience with these is that, as expected, due to the sun being smaller in the frame, wide lenses are best. However, even the 400mm is not that bad and can be used if the sun is partly occluded. It is much better than the 240mm.
How do other modern lenses compare? How about Schneiderstocks around 210mm? Has anyone systematically tried lenses to find which are best for this problem?
Thanks for your comments - I think this could be a good addition to the archives.
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