I carry three lenses in my backpack, mounted on boards, that seem to handle all of my landscape and nature needs. They are a Rodenstock 90mm/6.8, Nikkor 135mm/5.6, and a Rodenstock 210mm/5.6. I purchased all of these lenses used on Ebay. All were mint+ condition, and didn't break the bank compared to new lenses.
Nicholas,
You didn't mention what camera you will be using. Some lightweight cameras may limit your ability to use longer lenses. So, keep that in mind.
For backpacking I generally take either three or four lightweight lenses. My th ree lens set consists of 90mm, 150mm and 240mm. Specifically, 90mm f6.3 Congo W A, 150mm f6.3 Fujinon W and 240mm f9 Fujinon A. These lenses are all extremely light and compact. Just about any current 150mm intended for 4x5 use (not the 1 50mm Super Symmar XL, for example) will be reasonably compact and light (but the 150mm f6.3 Fujinon is absolutely tiny). The 90mm Congo has limited coverage, b ut is a LOT smaller and lighter than any other current 90mm lens. The 240mm Fuj inon A is the longest non-telephoto ever offered in a Copal #0 shutter. It is v ery small (52mm filters) and light (less than 10 oz.) and a wonderful performer. Highly recommended in this focal length.
My four lens set consists of the same 90mm WA Congo, 135mm f5.6 APO-Sironar-N, 2 00mm f8 Nikkor M and 300mm f9 Nikkor M. This is a very versatile lens set. All are quite compact and light, multicoated and in modern Copal shutters. The 135 mm APO Sironar-N is also sold by Calumet as the Caltar II-N (identical lens, mad e in the same factory, just different name and Calumet provides the warranty). The Caltar labeled lens is generally less expensive than the identical Rodenstoc k - especially when Calumet has them on sale (currently on sale for $419.99). A lso, if you ask at the time of your order, Calumet will include a free lensboard and mounting for any Cambo or Calumet camera (this includes Zone VI and Calumet Woodfield XM - which is basically a re-labeled Tachihara). This makes a good d eal even better on these Caltar lenses.
In any case, if you are specifically interested in lightweight lenses, you might want to check out:
http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/lightwei.htm
This is the lightweight lens section of my large format pages. It includes disc ussion of the lenses I mentioned above, along with several more lightweight lens options.
Kerry
You're going to find this hard to believe, but your experience in 35mm may have little to do with the lens preferences for 4x5. In fact, chances are good that after you invest a bunch of money and time in LF, you'll be back to 35mm within a year. LOL.
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
Nicholas,
Based on your 35mm preferences, a suitable 3 lens kit might be as follows: 75mm, 125mm, 240mm. The 125mm f/5.6 Fujinon CMW (or a used Fujinon W) is a very good alternative to the Schneider lenses mentioned by others. I have the older "W" version with 52mm filter ring and like it very much. My experience and that of others reporting on this forum is that Fujinons are very good lenses, good enough to mention in the same breath as Rodenstock, Nikon, and Schneider.
I have not used one, but the 240mm Fujinon A seems to be highly regarded by everyone who uses it. I have a 75mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Grandagon-N that I like a lot. If you combined that lens with the 125mm Fujinon CM-W you could use the same filters for both A step-up ring would let the 240 use the same filters. You should try out a 75mm before you buy. It is quite wide for 4x5, although many photographers like to use even wider lenses in the 55-65mm range as well!
The more I look at it, the 75 - 125 - 240 progression looks like a very good lens kit. The 125 really can serve as both your "35mm and 50mm" lens when working in 4x5, and the other lenses are significantly different from the 125 to make sure that you are not overlapping in your lens choices.
Nicholas,
I had forgotton about the Fuji 240. The 240s that I have seen are enormous in Copal 3 shutters; completely inappropriate for field use. I have never used the Fuji but it is well thought of in this forum.
Also, on the wide side I would not go wider than 90 for three reasons: 1)to go wider than 90 you will need a recessed lensboard and probably a bag bellows and 2)they are expensive and 3) they are large.
Edward, when was the last time you checked the Nikon 65 mm? small, light and not so expensive......
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You guys have given me a lot to think about and it is interesting hearing the thought process of others.
Kerry, I review your website so regularly that I bookmarked it! I am planning to buy an Ebony 45S but am having second thoughts as the max extension is only 270mm. I think 240mm will be enough for me. Thanks for the price leads.
A..ke, I do shoot a lot of near far compositions. Your comments about super wide angles 4x5's not being required as much make a lot of sense to me.
David, thank you for the 120 Fujinon CMW suggestion. I had missed out on that one since it was so slose to the infamous SS 110 XL. The Fuji is significantly lighter (and cheaper) than the Schneider and gives me another option.
Just to let you know I plan on keeping and using my 35mm system when I need the weight savings and convienence. I'm afraid that once I taste the large negative size, there will be no turning back. Thanks all. I'll let you know what I decide. Maybe, I should plan for 4 lenses after all!
"I am planning to buy an Ebony 45S but am having second thoughts as the max exte nsion is only 270mm. I think 240mm will be enough for me."
While 270mm is enough for general landscape use with the 240mm Fujinon A (ftf = 237.9mm for infinity focus), it doesn't allow a lot of extra extension for close focusing. Although I don't do a lot of true macro (1:1), this is my favorite l ens for detailed close-ups of rock patterns, leaves, rock art, etc. In theory, this lens is optimized for close-ups (but, in my experience, it is also very imp ressive for distant subjects). So, with only 270mm of extension, you would be s omewhat missing out on the excellent close-up capabilities this lens provides. I can get to 1:1 with this lens on my TK45S, but rarely shoot at such high magni fication. I do use it very often on my Toho (390mm max. extension) to shoot in the 1/2 - 1/4 lifesize range. With the Ebony, you could focus reasonably close with an extended lens panel. With a maximum extension of 270mm, you'd be able t o focus dwon to about 7 feet with the 240 A. If you could get to 300mm with the aid of an extended lensboard, you could focus to slighty under 4 feet. Not tru e macro, but probably close enough to your subject for most field applications.
The 240 A is a great lens, and a fantastic match for most field cameras (due to the small size and light weight). In addition to general landscape use, if you have enough extension, it can serve double duty for close-up and detail shots. Even if my camera didn't have enough extension for shooting close-ups with this lens, it would still be my choice for general landscape use in this focal length (the 240mm APO Ronar would be a close second).
Kerry
Jorge,
How does the Nikon SW 65 compare in size to the Rodenstock Grandagon 75mm f6.8. The calter version is half the price ($1299 vs $659)of the nikon lens. This lens seems large and heavy for backpacking but I am use to using a step-up ring to use my 49mm filters.
Nicholas,
A few ideas:
First, don't forget to consider used lenses when you make your purchases. All but one of my lenses are used, and all are in great condition. I really like my 125mm, and it cost under $300. It looks and operates like it was not used before I bought it. If you want to pick up a fourth lens, this might be a way for you to do so without making a big (OK - even bigger) hit on your wallet. In fact, don't reject the idea of a used kit. The vast majority of my large format gear is used, and most of it looks like it was very lightly used. I would hate to add up the total cost of my kit, but the total is significantly lower than if it was all purchased new.
Second, a three lens kit would be great to start with (and perhaps never add to). After you use your camera for a while you will decide if you need or want to add to it. You don't need a big kit. I have a friend, a wonderful photographer, who is mostly retired after making a very good living as a professional photographer. For most of his career, he worked with only four lenses: 75mm, 90mm, 150mm, 210mm.
Third, given the good chance that you might want to add to your kit (we can't help ourselves), it might be a good idea to consider a different camera. For example, I started out with a somewhat wierd collection: 75mm, 90mm, and a 210mm. It became even more imbalanced toward the wide end when I purchased the 125mm. I went this way because I do a lot of architectural photography and felt the need for the wider lenses. However, after a while I found that I really wanted a longer lens, and ended up with a 450mm! I used that lens quite a bit recently, and really enjoyed the extra "reach." I think that my 5 lens kit covers all of my needs, and probably will not need another one. Thank goodness my camera can handle the longer lens.
It would be a shame if you bought what is essentially a wide angle camera, and found that you wanted to shoot longer lenses. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about Ebony cameras. Perhaps one with longer extension (more $?) would be a better bet. Of course, every photographer has a different perspective, and you might think that I am all wet.
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