Newbie alert! Newbie alert! I currently have a 210mm on my 4x5 (Cambo monorail). I'd like to have something a little wider, but how do I decide whether to look for a 135mm or a 150mm? I don't really have the money to get both and see. I don't have anyone nearby to rent from or borrow from (as far as I know). Can I equate one or the other to a 75mm on 645? How much difference is there really between the 2 anyway? Yes, I know I'll get about 10 opinions from 8 people, but I'm asking anyway.
It kinda depends upon your subject matter and shooting style but, there really isn't much difference between the two focal lengths. I have tended to shoot with the 135mm much more than all the rest but, the 150 does, generally speaking, offer slightly more coverage.
I have both and tend to use the 150 for people and the 135 for just about everything else. If I were forced to choose just one, I think I'd probably go with the 150...but, I don't think it really matters too much.
Others may correct me, but 75 on your 645 is normal focal length, as is 48mm on 35mm film, and I think that normal on 4X5 is either 180 or the 210 you now have.Originally Posted by Winger
Newbie alert! Newbie alert! I currently have a 210mm on my 4x5 (Cambo monorail). I'd like to have something a little wider, but how do I decide whether to look for a 135mm or a 150mm? I don't really have the money to get both and see. I don't have anyone nearby to rent from or borrow from (as far as I know). Can I equate one or the other to a 75mm on 645? How much difference is there really between the 2 anyway? Yes, I know I'll get about 10 opinions from 8 people, but I'm asking anyway.
I would think a good lens to get would be 135 for a slight wide angle and then when you are ready for another lens and you want very wide angle, to look for a 90-110. On the other hand... The 150 would break the focal lengths more evenly, if you do get a 90 in the future. If you don't see yourself getting a wide angle or third lens, I'd opt for a good 135.
150mm is generally accepted as "Normal" focal length for 4x5. 210mm is the "a little long" focal length on 4x5.
The biggest problem with comparing formats is when the formats have a different ratio, and you're comparing 4:5 vs 3:4. The diagonal of 56x41.5mm ("645" for some, but not all, 6x4.5cm cameras) is 70mm, so your 75mm is a "long normal" while my 80mm on my Mamiya is a "teensy bit longer normal." The diagonal for 96x121mm is 154mm, so 150mm is a teensy bit "short" normal for 4x5.Newbie alert! Newbie alert! I currently have a 210mm on my 4x5 (Cambo monorail). I'd like to have something a little wider, but how do I decide whether to look for a 135mm or a 150mm? I don't really have the money to get both and see. I don't have anyone nearby to rent from or borrow from (as far as I know). Can I equate one or the other to a 75mm on 645? How much difference is there really between the 2 anyway? Yes, I know I'll get about 10 opinions from 8 people, but I'm asking anyway.
Of course, some folks don't think along the diagonal. By using several formats, it seems I like to compare along the long dimension of the film, so for me, the comparison between 35mm, 645 and 4x5 is 36mm vs. 56mm vs. 121mm. In each case, as it happens, my preferred wide angle is just about the same fl as the long dimension (35mm on 35mm, 55mm on 645, 120mm on 4x5).
All that boils down to a 150mm on 4x5 being closer to your 75mm on 645 than a 135 would, and a 180mm probably is too close to your 210, unless you really want just a wee bit wider.
Confused less or more? More? Well, then, my work here is done...
Drew
https://www.flickr.com/photos/drew_saunders/
If you plan to shoot images close to 1:1, then the 135mm lens will require less bellows draw than the 150mm lens. At 1:1, the difference will 30mm, over an inch.
I probably should have added that I shoot mostly landscapes when the weather is good and the occasional still life when the weather is bad.
What I'm getting is that there won't be a huge difference between 135mm and 150mm, but that I might get more movements with the 150mm?
I already know that I like slightly different focal lengths in different formats, so I can't quite go by that. But there's this tree root system that I shot with my 645 / 75mm that I'd like to reshoot with the 4x5. I tried with the 210mm, but I can't back up far enough to get enough in the frame. I also like to shoot in the woods where I usually need a shorter focal length.
So I guess the upshot is that I'll sorta look for both, but I'm thinking more the 135mm for now.
Thank you!
Using a 135 gives you more negative for cropping, as well a wider view when you need it.
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
Yeah, good point and another reason I'm leaning that way.
I've been watching this stuff for years now. Not that I'm looking for anything for myself; I'm pretty much done buying lenses. Rather, it's because I'm interested in the psychology of how people approach buying lenses.
It seems that people either favor closer spacing or wider spacing. Two spacings that have good followings are 1) 110mm, 150mm, 240mm (roughly 15 degree angle-of-view spacing), and 2) 90mm, 135mm, 210mm (roughly 20 degrees). Don't know why -- both seem to work just fine. Depends on how you see, how you work, what makes you comfortable I suppose.
As to 135 vs. 150, you are right that there's not much difference. The angle-of-view for each, along the 5 inch axis of 4x5 film, is 50.4 degrees and 45.9 degrees respectively. Or a difference of 4.5 degrees. Not a lot.
OTHO, the image circles are more significantly different. For the same design, you'll get more coverage from a 150mm lens. Unfortunately in this size range that can be significant. All I can tell you about that is that I've never run out of coverage with my Sironar-S 150mm lens.
Really, it's whatever makes you most comfortable.
Bruce Watson
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