Hello everyone,

I have a question which I have been trying to answer for a long while, and while many people on many forums have been enthusiastically replying, no-one has been able to answer my actual question. Here it is:

I am in need of a modern (multicoated, sharp) wide angle lens for an 8x10 camera with certain characteristics.

Things I DO care about:

1. Wide to approx 24mm equivalent on a 35mm camera (yes, I know the format has different proportions which means there is no exact equivalent- I am talking about the same angle or "feel" as a 24)
2. Has enough coverage for a reasonable amount of movement - nothing too extreme.
3. IMPORTANT: retains a non-distorted image when used with a little vertical movement. (For example my 24mm MF AI-S Nikkor looks fantastic in the corners and retains parallel verticals beautifully, as long as it's level)
4. Even illumination across the field (with center filter, if req'd, is OK)

Things I DON'T care about:

1. Price (well sort of - try me)
2. Weight

Lenses I am considering (but open to suggestions):

1. Schneider Super-Symmar XL 150/f5.6 (seems very wide - is there distortion at edges? Does it need centre filter?)
2. Schneider Super-Angulon 165/f8 (bloody expensive)
3. Rodenstock Grandagon 155/6.8
4. Rodenstock Grandagon 200/6.8 (is this wide enough...?)

NOW - feel free to post whatever (obviously), but I would love to hear from someone who actually owns and uses such a lens.

Sorry in advance if this post sounds arrogant or unfriendly, but if I had 5 cents for every post from someone whose cousin Billy once overheard 30 years ago that lens X had edge softness at f45....

Many thanks in advance and happy shooting!!