Reccomendations for *second* lens for architecture

[steve simmons]

Here are my thought

I used a 125, 90, 75 and 58 for my wide angle set. The 75 and the 90 are quite different and worth having one of each. The 58 is also different than the 75 and worth having. I skipped a 65 becasue the models that were out when I was working offered little movement whereas the 75 and 58 had movement (front rise is used a lot). The 125 - a 120 would be the same - was noticeably longer than the 90.

After the 90 well if you need something qwider go for the 75/72. If you need something longer go for the 110/120/125. Let your needs decide what you need next.

steve simmons

[jnorman]

paul is right on - you need to consider which application is most important right now, interiors or exteriors. if interiors, go with the 58 or 65, as the 72 is not as significantly wider than the 90 as you will want. my preference is the 65, as i think that is really about as far as you can push current lens manufacturing techniques and get truly accurate renderings for architecture. as ellis points out, any wider than about 58mm and the lens becomes increasingly more difficult to handle - any disparity from absolute level becomes immediately obvious on the print (in a way which might not have been so apparent on the ground glass, unfortunately). if you do more exteriors, i would recommend a 135mm, as it is the widest of the "normal" lenses for 4x5 - it is normal enough to give a very natural perspective in situations where you can get a reasonable distance from the subject, and it is long enough to be your "telephoto" for detail views.

[Richard Stum / Kinesis]

The general rule for interiors is "use the longest lens you can get away with" t o minimize distoration. Of course there are occasions where you have no choice a nd need the wider lens. I would go with a 65mm first and then a 120mm after that. I assume you are shooting 4x5 sheet film. With newer and better films, some (such as myself) shoot 6x7cm or 6x8cm roll film backs. The 65mm is great lens wi th 6x7 format for exteriors -- about the same as a 120mm on 4x5". In any rate, I shoot with 47, 65, 90, 150, 210 and 300.