Fujinon W 180 & 8x10

[Andrew O'Neill]

Finally picked up one of these older Fujinon lenses, and tested it to see how well it covers 8x10.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Even at F22 appears to me a teeny bit of falloff. Focused hyperfocally bigger circle excellent 8x10 focal length IMO. I like olde single coated lenses for B&W Have Fun!

[Andrew O'Neill]

I think that was mostly down to me not centring the lens... I've had it since out in the field and was very careful about that. All looked great! I'll try focussing on the hyperfocal distance next time. Thanks!

[Daniel Unkefer]

You bet. Always enjoy your videos Hilarious and informative. Like the Monty Python music LOL

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Andrew, thanks for doing this. Nice test.

[Kiwi7475]

This matches my experience as well. However I no longer use it on 8x10 because I tend to use movements, and there just isn’t room for any. Rather use another lens that has a larger illumination circle.

[Andrew O'Neill]

This matches my experience as well. However I no longer use it on 8x10 because I tend to use movements, and there just isn’t room for any. Rather use another lens that has a larger illumination circle.

I'd love to have a Schneider 150 XL, but it's not a 90mm equivalent. I friend of mine used to let me borrow his years ago... Anything out there that has more IC than the Fujinon? Thanks!

[Kiwi7475]

I'd love to have a Schneider 150 XL, but it's not a 90mm equivalent. I friend of mine used to let me borrow his years ago... Anything out there that has more IC than the Fujinon? Thanks!

Lenses that cover 8x10 with movements and that are relatively close to the 180mm focal length are rare. Several try but don't quite get there... like the 165mm Angulon, 159mm Wollensak, 7" Goerz Berlin or Series III Dagor, 7" WF Ektar, 165mm WA Dagor, 185mm Repromaster, etc.

The Protar v 183mm is one that covers with movements, but it's tough to focus with (F18!). The modern ones that do cover "nicely" are going to be monsters... e.g. 165mm Super-Angulon, 210mm super-Symmar XL, 155 Grandagon.... there's others.

I think if you want to go that wide, then the Nikkor SW 150mm and particularly the Super-symmar XL 150mm are the more reasonable ones. Not small but not gigantic. Just crop a little bit from 150 to 180mm if needed. Or from the other side, go for a Computar 210mm f9.

One more thought. If you’re really set on “it has to be 180mm”, then the most rational way is to simply shoot a 90mm lens in 4x5. There just isn’t a great alternative in 8x10, if it also has to be light, cheap, etc. That’s just the reality, albeit not what we all would like to hear.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Sadly, the Nikkor SW 150 is a tad out of my price range... I think I've got WA covered for 8x10. Nikkor SW 120, Fujinon W 180, Nikkor W 210, and 240.

[Vaughan]

There are two versions of the lens, one in a Seiko shutter the other in a Copal. In my testing the Copal shutter version has a slightly larger circle.

https://youtu.be/vrxdf79QXic