210 opinions ...

[jeffoto]

I've ended up with two, very nice 210mm lenses. One will end up for sale, and one I will keep. As I am still in the learning stage, I've yet to shoot any film (except a couple of very old Polaroids just to play) I don't have any real world knowledge of either - except reputations, of which both are very good.

What I have is the 6.3 Computar Symmetrigon and the 5.6 Caltar (a Schneider lens I believe).

Both look new, but just wondering which one the folks here would keep ...

Thanks,

Jeff

[Nick_3536]

Both

Neither

-)

What format? How are you using them?

I don't think either is tiny so a hiker might want something different. Does either cover 8x10? If not some one would want something different.

Looking nice is good but shoot a few sheets with each and see which one you like.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

I've never tried a Computar, but I have the Caltar-II-N (made by Rodenstock,same as an Apo sironar S) and it's a great lens- extremely sharp and contrasty- so I would definately keep it.

[jeffoto]

Ooops. Details.

4x5. For now, I'm just learning the ins and outs of large format so I'm not too worried about how the lens will be used. Both lenses are similar size, so I am mostly soliciting opinions of the two lenses from people who have used either one or both. I've read good about both, and frankly nothing bad.


.

Both

Neither

-)

What format? How are you using them?

I don't think either is tiny so a hiker might want something different. Does either cover 8x10? If not some one would want something different.

Looking nice is good but shoot a few sheets with each and see which one you like.

[Jim Galli]

Under scrutiny you would find the Caltar will cover a wider field for movements and also stay much sharper farther into the corners than the Computar will. Both are fine competent lenses but that is the difference. The Caltar is a Plasmat design. I believe the Computar is a very good tessar design? Not completely sure on that.

[Vaughn]

I had a 6.3 Computar Symmetrigon -- one of the sharpest lenses I have ever owned (judging from 5x7 contact prints and comparing them to my 8x10 contact prints from a 300 Fuji W, a 19"RD Artar and a 210 Wollie Graphc Raptar).

It will cover 5x7 with plenty of movements -- but not 8x10. The screw-on metal lens shades they came with are nice, also. The 6.3 Computar Symmetrigon and the 5x7 camera left me involunteerily a decade or so ago, so I have a bit of a bias for the lens.

So it sounds like you have two fine lenses...the 6.3 Computar Symmetrigon is a little less known, so you might get a better price for the Caltar.

Vaughn

[IanG]

That's a dubious test Vaughn You can't really compare contact prints to asses the quality of LF lenses.

Personally I'd keep the Caltar, which ever it is (re-badged) both the 210mm Symmar and Sironar are superb lenses.

Ian

[Brian Vuillemenot]

I've never tried a Computar, but I have the Caltar-II-N (made by Rodenstock,same as an Apo sironar S) and it's a great lens- extremely sharp and contrasty- so I would definately keep it.

Oops, my mistake- it's the same as an Apo-Sironar-N, not "S". Still a fantastic lens, though, which can often be gotten for a pittance on the bay.

[BOB BERESFORD]

Oops, my mistake- it's the same as an Apo-Sironar-N, not "S". Still a fantastic lens, though, which can often be gotten for a pittance on the bay.

Was just wondering about that when I saw Brian posted the correction. The very recent Rodenstock apo sironar S lenses are supposed to be great new designs with better DOF ? The older apo-sironar N is excellent and rebadged as Caltar-2-N and also for Sinar.....have one and forgot the lettering....Apo Sinaron S ?
Main point is that these lenses all have top multi coating and colour transmission.

That other older lens is probably single or double coated. I'd always go with Multicoating - consistently better colour and gradation.

[Jim Noel]

You better get rid of the Symetrigon. Why don't you send it to me for a small fee? I wish I had never parted with the one I had when they first hit the market!
Jim