I have a new 6x9 view camera and am trying to set up a 3 lens kit. I am interested in what focal length in either the 4x5 or 6x9 format you conside r your favorite for portrait work. My current lenses are 55mm & 100mm. Also, is there a lens to complete my "kit" that you think would be best for both portrait and landscape. Feel free to recommend a particular lens. Thanks to all the fine people on this enjoyable LF forum for your opinions.
The Rodenstock Imagon 250mm is in my opinion the best bet. I have a 300mm I use w/ 5x7. Good alternative is the Wollensak Verito, the ten-inch being the size you'd want, I believe. It's easier to find an Imagon 250 in good condition. Either lens is rather expensive in good condition. If you get the Imagon, make sure and get the complete kit -- i.e., lens, disks, filters, box. Don't get a partial kit and figure to go looking for the missing elements -- that's very hard. -jb
No favorite. The choice of lens depends on the subject matter and the way you look at the subject matter.
The 200mm Imagon is optimized for 6x9cm cameras.
I would consider a 21cm Heliar. Nice affordable older lens that should be great for head and shoulders on 6X9. F4.5 aperture.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep..to gain that which he cannot lose. Jim Elliot, 1949
http://tonopahpictures.0catch.com
I use a Schneider Tele-Xenar 240, but in general conditions a 210mm or a 240mm should be ok...
I'm also partial to Heliars for portraits.
I use a 210mm in a Copal Press shutter for 6x7 portraits. The Copal Press shutt er has advantages for portraits: it is self-cocking, opens to maximum aperture for viewing, and can be opened with a cable release. So, an exposure can be mad e a few seconds after focusing, without touching the shutter or aperture control s.
And it has a big limitation for some. Fastest shutter speed is limited to 1/125.
"The Copal Press shutter has advantages for portraits: it is self- cocking, opens to maximum aperture for viewing, and can be opened with a cable release"
My experience has been that I only dream of using a shutter speed faster than 1/ 125 for natural light portraits, and it is not an issue for studio strobes.
YMMV.
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