Is a Super Symmar 110 XL worth twice as much as a Grandagon-N 115?

[Acheron Photography]

I know the 110XL is wonderful: sharp, comparatively light, and with great coverage. But I have the chance to purchase a Grandagon-N 115mm in good shape for about half what a comparable 110XL would cost me, and I am tempted. Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated. I would be using it mostly for landscape and architectural photography on 5x4 and 5x7 Arca monorails: both lenses fit, and the lens boards can cope, so that is not a concern. I think I can live with the weight of the Rodenstock even if I'm not that happy about it.

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

I have never tried the 110 XL Schneider, but the 115 Grandagon-N has been a favorite lens since 1987. It is very sharp and has a great coverage. I have used it to shoot interiors on 8x10" and when I expose Velvia 4x5" with it the vignetting is not noticeable.

[Mike1234]

It's mostly just the bulk/weight. If cash is a significantly more imortant issue then buy the Grandagon-N. Keep in mind if you need a CF it will be much larger/pricier as will other filters.

[eric black]

I have owned both in my past and currently only have the SS 110XL as a 4x5 and 4x10 lens(with center filter). I sold the Rodenstock due to weight and size but also due to the better performance I noted with the Schneider lens when shooting landscapes facing into the sun. Im not sure what the differences are in the coatings, but I battled flare problems when using the Rodenstock that I dont seem to have with the Schneider.

[evan clarke]

I LOVE my 110 XL...Evan Clarke

[Steve Hamley]

I can vouch for the flare resistance of the Schneider. I've shot sunrises/sunsets with it regularly and it's a nice lens for that. I was surprised that it was considering how many glasses it has, but Schneider apparently did their homework.

Cheers, Steve

[Bob Salomon]

I have owned both in my past and currently only have the SS 110XL as a 4x5 and 4x10 lens(with center filter). I sold the Rodenstock due to weight and size but also due to the better performance I noted with the Schneider lens when shooting landscapes facing into the sun. Im not sure what the differences are in the coatings, but I battled flare problems when using the Rodenstock that I dont seem to have with the Schneider.

Grandagon or Grandagon-N? MC or non MC?

[Acheron Photography]

Grandagon or Grandagon-N? MC or non MC?

Thanks to all for their comments.

Bob - MC, Grandagon-N.

Kind regards

David.

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks to all for their comments.

Bob - MC, Grandagon-N.

Kind regards

David.

David,

Sorry for the confusion, I wanted to know which version Eric used. He just said a Grandagon and there is a big difference between a non MC version and a MC version in flare reduction, contrast, color saturation, etc.

[eric black]

It was an N-MC lens Bob but as it was sold almost 8 years ago I dont recall the serial number or anything that might shed some light on the age of the lens.