What 2 lenses would you pick for a 5X7?

[timberline12k]

I am debating whether to puchase a 4X5 or 5X7 camera. Earlier this week I was pretty set on a 4X5 so I pulled the trigger on two EX+ used lenses; a 210mm f/5.6 APO Sironar-S and a 90mm f/4.5 Caltar-II N.

If I decide on a 5X7 are these still good lenses to start with?

I plan to use the camera for landscape, nature and architecture.

[Keith Pitman]

Check the charts in the "Home Page" section:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/

Note: I believe the Caltar II is a rebadged Grandagon.


You should also consider the other aspects of going into 5x7 versus 4x5: Film and film holders will be more expensive; you will have fewer film options--especially color film; if you intend to do your own printing and expect to enlarge, you will need a larger enlarger.

[Ken Lee]

All else being equal, 5x7 lenses need to be around 1/3 longer than their 4x5 counterparts. So if a 210 lens is a portrait lens on 4x5, you need somewhere around 300mm for 5x7. Similarly, a 120mm lens on 5x7 will do about the same as a 90mm will do on 4x5.

It's a good idea to purchase lenses which whose circle of coverage is enough for both formats. That way, you'll be able to use them on both cameras. If you space the focal lengths wisely, you will have greater flexibility and more choices: that same 300mm lens can become your long lens on 4x5, etc.

[Sal Santamaura]

Here's what I've settle on for an SV57:

• 180mm Fujinon W (80-degree coverage)

• 270mm G-Claron

Both are single-coated, both take 58mm filters. They fit the way I "see" by being slightly wider than normal and spaced by a factor of 1.5X. Roughly equivalent to a 135mm and 210mm on 4x5.

[Warren Clark]

timberline,

My favored WA lenses for 5x7:

Schneider 90/5.6 SA XL
Fuji 105 SW
Schneider 110 SSXL
Rodenstock 150 Apo Sironar (W) ~ 250mm Image circle


Your 90/4.5 is an adequate choice but the above lenses all have
larger image circle you may need for architecture.

Good shooting,

Warren Clark

[Really Big Cameras]

I tend to favor lenses from moderately wide to slightly long (i.e. 110mm - 210mm on 4x5). So, for 5x7, my favorite two lens combination is a 150mm and a 300mm.

In the 150mm focal length, my personal favorite is the 80 degree 150mm APO Sironar(-W). There are other good choices in this focal length, but this one provides decent coverage, outstanding performance, and is reasonably compact and light. The only drawback is it was discontinued over a decade ago and can be hard to find on the used market.

In the 300mm focal length, I use a 300mm Nikkor M. However, any of the compact 300mm lenses that fit in Copal No. 1 shutters is worth considering. In addition to the Nikkor M, these include the 300mm Fujinon C, late multicoated, shutter-mounted APO Ronars and the 300mm APO Germinar.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

[Ron Marshall]

Both of thost lenses will be suitable for 5x7, but you will probably want an intermediate lens, such as a 120, since the 90 is very wide on 5x7.

I use 90-120-210-300-450 on my 5x7.

[Chauncey Walden]

5x7 is a more pleasing aspect ration for landscape photography than 4x5 and is a nice size for contact printing also. Those two lenses will serve you well. Your next additions might be something like a 135mm WF Ektar and one of the 300mms.

[Gem Singer]

When I shoot LF, I usually use the 5X7 camera. I carry three lenses:

Nikkor f8 120SW

Fujinon f6.3 250CM-W

Fujinon f5.6 180 CM-W

My favorite two lens combination for 5X7 are the 120 and the 250.

[Pete Watkins]

I'm going against the trend but I seem to faviour my 150 G-Claron backed uo with my 203 Ektar. I have a fairly wide choice of lenses but I'm really comfertable (spell check needed) with these two lenses.
Best wishes,
Pete