Favourite lenses for 8x10" vs. 4x10"

[georgl]

I have finally decided to acquire a large format setup, I still cannot decide whether I stick with 8x10" or choose 4x10" - maybe the lens-question would make it easier?

I've bought a cheap Sironar-N 300 to play around with 8x10" - I like the focal length but I wonder how a two-lens setup might work!?

240 + 480 -> slightly shorter and longer?
210 + 300 -> no need for longer lenses anyway?

The 240s don't have much room for shifting...
The 1kg 300mm Sironar is fine regarding size + weight, but the 210XL or 480mm-lenses don't sound as nice... So rather an older and slower Tele-design?

Anything entirely different?

The lenses should be as sharp and contrasty as possible, it would be nice if I could use f16 at times to avoid diffraction without loosing too much off-axis performance.

4x10" seems much easier regarding lens-choice. The Sironar-S 210 and the Schneider 350 Compact (I have never seen similar MTF to the 210 with this IC) - any experience with them?

I'm tempted by the panoramic format - but I have a hard time understanding focal length with it - how has it affected your focal length-choice? Same horizontal angle but narrower vertical angle? Vice versa? Something in-between?

Maybe I have overlooked something!?

Thank you!

[Gem Singer]

Click LF Home Page on the blue tool bar above.

Scroll down to Lenses.

Click on Comparison Charts, and the answers to some of your questions will be found.

[Kimberly Anderson]

Look back at your 8x10 work. Make a 4x10 mask and place them over your 8x10 negatives. You will learn a lot about what works, what doesn't work and what you might want to try in the future.

I am shooting 8x10 and 4x10 right now. I shoot the 120 SA a LOT with the 4x10 but hardly EVER shoot it with the 8x10. Those kinds of patterns will start to become evident as you look at and re-crop your 8x10 negatives.

Right now my 4x10 lenses are: 90, 120, 150, 210, 360, 19 inch and 21 1/2 inch. Admittedly the longer two lenses won't be used a lot with 4x10, they were purchased with 8x10 more in mind.

I don't think you will be able to find a 'formula' to help you determine which lenses you want, but you might be able to come close. Think of it as either a cropped 8x10, or a diptych of 4x5's.

PM me if you have any other questions. 4x10 has been my format of choice for about 3 years now.

[SocalAstro]

Hi Michael,

which 4x10 camera do you have that allows you to use a 90mm lens? My Shen-Hao is limited to a 115mm or therabouts - I use a Niklkor 120SW quite a bit.

Cheers,
Leon

Right now my 4x10 lenses are: 90, 120, 150, 210, 360, 19 inch and 21 1/2 inch. Admittedly the longer two lenses won't be used a lot with 4x10, they were purchased with 8x10 more in mind.
.

[georgl]

Thank you, but I'm well aware of the technical data. I'm asking about personal experiences, reading "between the lines" - things that might not be obvious from an early perspective.

[John Kasaian]

I have finally decided to acquire a large format setup, I still cannot decide whether I stick with 8x10" or choose 4x10" - maybe the lens-question would make it easier?

I've bought a cheap Sironar-N 300 to play around with 8x10" - I like the focal length but I wonder how a two-lens setup might work!?

240 + 480 -> slightly shorter and longer?
210 + 300 -> no need for longer lenses anyway?

The 240s don't have much room for shifting...
The 1kg 300mm Sironar is fine regarding size + weight, but the 210XL or 480mm-lenses don't sound as nice... So rather an older and slower Tele-design?

Anything entirely different?

The lenses should be as sharp and contrasty as possible, it would be nice if I could use f16 at times to avoid diffraction without loosing too much off-axis performance.

4x10" seems much easier regarding lens-choice. The Sironar-S 210 and the Schneider 350 Compact (I have never seen similar MTF to the 210 with this IC) - any experience with them?

I'm tempted by the panoramic format - but I have a hard time understanding focal length with it - how has it affected your focal length-choice? Same horizontal angle but narrower vertical angle? Vice versa? Something in-between?

Maybe I have overlooked something!?

Thank you!

If you buy an 8x10 with sliders you can shoot both 8x10 and 4x10 on the same back with the same film holders
9-1/2"or 10"(240-250mm) for a slightly wide, and a 14"(355-360mm) or even a 16-1/2" or 19" for a long make a nice 2-lens kit for an 8x10.

[Gem Singer]

From personal experience:

Favorite lenses for 4x10 as well as 8x10--- Nikon/Nikkor f8 120SW, f9 300M, and f9 450M.

[Keith Pitman]

Most used lenses on 4x10 are 165 and 240. Have carried 110, but didn't use it frequently. Also, use 300 and 450.

[Kimberly Anderson]

I have a Canham 8x10 and have a 4x10 reducing back for it. I also have the bag bellows which let's me use the 90.

It is an awesome camera!

[Justin Cormack]

I don't think you will be able to find a 'formula' to help you determine which lenses you want, but you might be able to come close. Think of it as either a cropped 8x10, or a diptych of 4x5's.

I am thinking about 4x10 and it is a bit confusing which of those two models makes more sense, as one suggests longer lenses than the other as more common. My widest lens that covers in 150, but I dont have a camera yet...