120mm lens suggestions?

[Jack Brauer]

Hello,

My most frequently used 4x5 lens has been my Nikon 135mm W 5.6, however I am finding that oftentimes it is just a little too tight for my taste.

So I want to sell that and get a 120mm lens. I would love to get your suggestions on a good 120. My main criteria are:

1) Lightweight - Most of my photos are taken on backpacking trips in the mountains. It is crucial that my lenses be lightweight.

2) Not insanely expensive. I can't see myself spending more than about $750, new or used.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[Ole Tjugen]

At the risk of being repetitive, the 120mm f:6.8 Angulon is small, lightweight, cheap, and has plenty of coverage for 4x5". Same for the 121mm f:6.3 Leitmeyr Weitwinkel-Anastigmat - essentially the same lens. Good late Angulons should be around $200 - 300.

[Christopher Perez]

I agree with Ole. A 120 Angulon f/6.8 is a pretty sweet lens.

For landscape work I have heard a few photographers swear by their little Fuji W/EBC 125mm lenses.

Toward the upper end of your price range, Schneider's 120mm Super Symmar HM is a very nice lens.

You have options!

[Scott Rosenberg]

check out the...
125 CM-W
120 APO-Symmar L

or, if you want to stretch your budget and view, there's always the 110-XL.

are you sure the 120 will be different enough from your 135 to warrant the purchase? if you don't already have one, a 90 is a nice compliment to a 135.

[tim atherton]

not quite 120mm, but the Fuji 125mm 5.6's are very good value and nice little lenses. I use the 125mm much more than the 135mm I have for just the reason you give. 10mm might not seem like much of a difference, but it is...

[Ted Harris]

Agree with Scott and Tim. OTOH the 120 Angulon really is a nice little lens and, of that generation of lenses, was perhaps my favorite. It was the last of that generation of lenses that I sold. In fact I used it until the 110 SS XL came out.

[Walter Foscari]

My favorite lens by far is the Schenider Super Symmar HM 120. If that is hard to find these days, then go for the fuji W 125 f5.6, as many have already suggested.

[Jack Brauer]

Thanks for your responses so far.

Scott- I do think that the extra 10 - 15mm will make a difference, since I often find that the 135mm is just a little too tight. I already have a 75mm, so I'm not too concerned about going much wider than 120mm for my mid-wide lens.

Does anyone know about the APO-Symmar-L 120mm/5.6? It's lightweight.

[Scott Rosenberg]

189mm image circle
210 grams
requires 116.3mm of bellows

i think jack flesher sold a 110-XL for a 120-L and has been generally pleased with it's performance.

[Ole Tjugen]

... - I do think that the extra 10 - 15mm will make a difference, since I often find that the 135mm is just a little too tight. ...

I know that it does - that's why I drag along 65, 90, 121, 135, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 355, 420 and 500mm lenses...