I need opinions on lenses for 4x5. I understand that different large format lenses serve different needs and in any one manufacturer positives and negatives exist. In saying this i'm looking for a kit that will cover what I need WELL rather than having to upgrade later. I'm debating between the Nikkor SW 90mm f4.5 and a Schneider Super-Angulon 90mm (I can't afford the XL yet I want the bigger aperture for focusing....eyes aren't terrific). Does the Schneider keep up with the Nikkor...I've read the Nikkor is amazing?
Then there's the matter of some longer focus lenses. I've read that the Nikkor W's are a terrific lens and would possibly look for them in the 150mm, 180mm, 210mm and 300mm. Is there a beautiful longer focus lens for 4x5? Should I look at Rodenstock or Schneider for the longer ones (anything over 150mm)? It's always a fight between affordability and quality.
I know this is very subjective but would love some experienced opinions.
Do a search of the forum and also on APUG. You will find a variety of opinions but the consensus will be:
Any modern lens from Fujinon, Nikkor, Schneider, or Rodenstock will suffice.
If you are trying to assemble a kit from scratch, be mindful of filter sizes. You can use step-up rings to standardize on one size, but if you get a wide aperture 90mm lens with an 82mm filter size you will spend more than a lens on filters. I would suggest a 90mm f6.8 with 67mm filters. With 67mm filters you can run the gamut of good lenses from 65mm to 300 mm using step up rings. You will miss some of the Apo-Sironar S lenses and others but the selection is more than adequate.
If you are doing black and white you don;t need to stick with one brand. Mix and match to suit your preferences. For example, I have Caltar (Rodenstock) lenses for 75, 90, and 210 mm. I have Schneider for 150 mm. I have Nikkor for 300 mm. all of them are excellent.
You don't mention what camera you are using but you might have camera issues if you want 65mm on the wide end and 450 mm on the long end. Keep in mind bellows length and movements.
Also, take into account the weight of your lens kit. A 90 mm f4.5 lens plus a 300 mm f5.6 lens might weigh more than your camera.
You will get all sorts of suggestions from the Luddite mantra of "any red dot gold dot Ilex lens from < 1950 will be great" to "used lenses are so cheap that..." so make up your mind based on practical considerations. It sounds like you are just starting, so perhaps a 2-3 lens kit would be good.
For a 3 lens kit, I would suggest a 90mm f6.8-8 lens, a 135-150 mm lens, and a 180-210 mm lens. From there, see what you like and fill in the gaps based on your interests.
The S-A 90mm f5.6 really ought to suffice, I had one for several years. The XL version sounds good on paper, but there are issues if intending to use with filters and also huge rear element is a struggle to get through camera aperture for some makes like Ebony. Well worth doing extra research on this before committing the cash.
Concur with Jerold's comment, about mix and match. I have Nikon (210 and 300mm) and Schneider (58, 80, 110 and 150mm) in the bag. Sometimes I swap the 210mm for my Cooke PS945. I'd happily include a Rodenstock or Fuji if I needed to replace a lens and one was available.
If brightness is an issue, consider ground glass alternatives; these enhance every lens without a weight penalty!
The limitation is invariably the skill level of ourselves, the photographer, rather than the gear....
I'm using an Ebony SV45E with the universal bellows so the 65mm can work and so can the 450mm. Next I need to keep an eye on the classifieds I suppose and see what lenses come up. I'll look into those posts here and on APUG. Cheers,
For modern lenses differences are more based on size, weight, and coverage as well as price rather than brand. If buying new the Fuji lenses are significantly cheaper. Definitely consult the down loadable excel sheets on this website for more detail.
Like other posters I have a mix: Fuji, Rodenstock, Schneider. The only cogent argument Ive heard for sticking to one brand is for critical colour use where you want the palette to match across lenses. As a B&W dude Ive no idea if this is theory or practice.
If you want to try older lenses then you are in for much more argument!
It's better to start up with few lenses. For most of us LF shooting doesn't compare to smaller formats when it comes to using and swapping lenses. (The fact that most of us does have lots of lenses lying around depends on something else... )
There are many other threads on this and similar subjects, where the consensus often seem to be: "Even though I love a 20mm lens on 35mm film, I find myself using the 150mm almost all the time in LF."
So for starters I would say that you should go for one single lens, in the 135-180mm range. There's a lot to learn and you (probably) will not miss this or that focal length. There is nothing wrong in getting a 90mm too, but unless you are into architecture all the time it will be plenty wide.
To finish off: In most practical cases there is no way of telling which lens brand was used. Any of the four major manufacturers modern (less than say 30 years that is ) lenses will be a very good lens for you. Unless you are very experienced in color slide shooting, the miniscule variations between brands in terms of color rendition doesn't matter either. There are some special items such as the Super Symmar XL, but the extra $500-1000 can easily be compensated for by the experience of spending that money on film etc.
When I bought most of my current lenses I was shooting far more E6 and consistent colour balance was critical, so it made sense to use lenses that matched, and so bought a 90mm Grandagon to match my 150mm Sironar, later I added added a 65mm Super Angulon. There is a slight difference between the SA and the Rodenstocks.
More recently testing a 1931 135mm Tessar against a 1950's 150mm coated Tessar and a 70's MC 135mm Caltar/Symmar I found there was a vast difference in the colour balance. The 50's Tessar gave a distint cold blue cast, the best was of course the newst design. But as the 50'sd Tessar is only used for B&W work it's no problem.
So yes for colour work it's better to stick to one manufacturer, and their modern Multi coated lenses.
I'll focus on the 150mm first and then go from there. I work in black and white so I appreciate the fact that working in colour will effect lens choice more. Thanks for all the tips.
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