Here are the facts. I mostly shoot landscapes in 4 x 5. I have a 90mm SA and I think it's good for some things, but just a little too wide for most. I would like to get some close shots and even try to photograph the moon so it doesn't look like a dust spot. I don't have a lot of money to spend and have been looking at Robert White's. Right now, I'm thinking about a Nikon W 210. Does this sound like the best lens? I would appreciate any opinions. Thanks.
i've been shooting with a nikkor W 210 for eleven years and i love it. highly recommended. my other lens is a rodenstock 135mm which i've had for five years now, and still haven't used it-- my eye "sees" in the 210 focal length!
~cj
I can second that opinion. I have the 75, 110, 210 & a 360T of which I use the 210 Nikkor W about 75% of the time. The 110XL is my second most used lens.
My first lens was and is a 210 W and I still have it and it does get used at least 30% of the time, since then I have pirchased other lenses from 65 (Nikkor also) to 300 and still the 210 remains one of my favorties, specially for portraits.
Hey, you guys have me sold. Thanks!
A 210mm is a great lens, but don't overlook the 150, the 180 or for that matter, the 200M.
Taking a look at the focal length equivelant for 35mm to 4x5 is as follows:
35mm 4x5 equivelant
60mm 210mm 52mm 180mm 43mm 150mm
There are many differing opinions on a standard lens for 210 - as your question as to a next lens. Many use the 150mm and others opt for the 210. If you liked slightly wider when you shot 35mm, I would go for the 150mm. If you liked slightly longer, I would go with the 210. All of the Nikon lenses give great performance as I have about nine of them. The advantage of the 150mm is the smaller size. Plus, if bellows length is a limiting factor, you will be able to get more close up work done with the 150mm versus the 210. Nikon also makes a 200mm M series that is also very nice and compact. It is a f 8 lens in a Copal 0 (weight 180 grams) that provides an image circle of 210mm at f22. It would easily cover 5x7. The 210 W is in a Copal #1 and weights in at 460 grams and at f22, provides an image circle of 295mm. The more I shoot, the more I appreciate light high performance lenses. Since the 200mm M is 2.5 times lighter than the 210W and is the same focal length, I use it extensively. Plus the 200M takes 52mm filters ($19) versus the 67mm filters for the 210W that are about $33 each. No matter which way you go, it will be a good decision. Good Luck.
I sold my 210 Nikkor-W and replaced it with a 200 Nikkor-M quite a few years ago. For landscape work with a field camera, it has more than enough coverage and is just as sharp as the W. I've been enjoying its lighter weight and smaller filter ever since.
I think the 210mm is the most useful lens general purpose lens for 4x5. It was my first LF lens and I still use it pretty often. Mine is a Fuji W 210mm, which I can also use on an 8x10 with pretty reasonable coverage.
My only other contribution is this: You will have a pretty big gap between your 90mm and a 210mm, so you might want to think about 2 lenses. Either a 110-135mm to fill the gap, or a different pair of lenses, altogether, like a 150mm and a 300mm. Decisions, decisions....
My opinion is that you need to look a bit forward, and think about the lenses you'll need in the future.
My experience the next: years ago I started with the 210, planning to buy up to four lenses, the longest a 350-360mm for closer work. Then, I started with a 210, later a 110, 75 and in the next future I'll buy the 360. I use all my lenses a lot.
If I would changed the longest lens with a 300mm (because the copal 1), the set (for my work, and up to four lenses) would be a 180 (perhaps one designed for closer work), 90, 65 (I need something wider than the 90). I thougth also the same about the filter system...
My best wishes for you,
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