150mm lenses for 5x7

[Chauncey Walden]

An old Fujinon Professional Series Lenses Catalog lists both the Fujinon-W 150 f/5.6 at 224mm and the 150 f/6.3 at 198mm. The 180 f/5.6 was 280mm.

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Lots of options and lots of good recommendations. Loved the 150mm APO-Sironar-W on 5x7, but my all time favorite wide angle for 5x7 (and 4x10) is the 150mm f9 Graphic-Kowa. While the designs and coverage of other lenses in the Computar-APO Kyvytar-Graphic-Kowa lineage changed over time, the 150mm focal length remained the original, high coverage 6/4 design. So, unlike the longer focal lengths, a 150mm f9 Graphic-Kowa will have just as much coverage (290mm image circle) as a 150mm f9 Computar. The 150mm f9 Graphic-Kowa I had (and foolishly sold) was a very late, multi-coated sample (one of the few I've seen) and it was a great, great lens.

For a tiny little lens, the 150mm f9 Docter Germinar-W is another multi-coated gem that covers 5x7, but is hard to find. I prefer it over the single coated 150mm f9 G Claron, but the G Claron is still an excellent little lens, easier to find and less expensive.

For 5x7 in this focal length, you really need a lens with at least 80 degrees of coverage (85 degres would be even better). I tried using my 150mm f5.6 APO-Sironar-S on 5x7, but found the image circle (231mm) just too small for practical use. Love that lens on 4x5, but just not enough usable coverage on 5x7 for my needs. I recommend you look for something with a usable image circle of at least 250mm, a little more would be even better.

Kerry

[Leigh]

The Nikkor SW 150/8 has a huge 400mm image circle @ f/22 (106°), and 253mm wide open.

Nikon rates it to cover 10"x12".

- Leigh

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

The Nikkor SW 150/8 has a huge 400mm image circle @ f/22 (106°), and 253mm wide open.

Nikon rates it to cover 10"x12".

- Leigh

It's a great ultrawide for 8x10, but seems like overkill for a 5x7. Especially when the OP said the 150mm Super-Symmar HM and APO-Sironar W are beyond his budget. It's unlikely he'll find a 150mm Nikkor SW in his price range.

Kerry

[John Kasaian]

159mm f/9.5 Wollensak WA Velostigmat. Its a tiny lens and It'll cover 8x10 so you'll have lots of wiggle room on a 5x7. Plus they're not very expensive (dirt cheap actually)

[Leigh]

It's a great ultrawide for 8x10, but seems like overkill for a 5x7. Especially when the OP said the 150mm Super-Symmar HM and APO-Sironar W are beyond his budget. It's unlikely he'll find a 150mm Nikkor SW in his price range.

Hi Kerry,

I have no idea what it might sell for. I use the APO-Sironar-S 150/5.6 for that FL.

I just presented it because it hadn't been mentioned.

- Leigh

[false_Aesthetic]

Well, the XL is totally out of my budget unless someone in the gallery world starts to believe in "investing in" work that looks different than what comes outta Yale. Or until someone sugar-daddy pays off my student loans.

I seem to have a hard time finding the HM or the Sironar W on sites. It could be that people are forgetting to put the "w" or "HM" in. Or maybe that those that have em keep em.

Thanks for the info ya'll. Keep the suggestions comin' (if there are more).

[Oren Grad]

I seem to have a hard time finding the HM or the Sironar W on sites.

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=69369

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=80830

[Steve Hamley]

It isn't a 150mm but how about a 165mm f/8 WA Dagor? It's everything you want (except being 150mm!). Nice non-Gold or non-Gold Dot versions can be had for $400-450 range if you shop around.

Cheers, Steve

[Doremus Scudder]

Also not 150mm, but with a 229mm image circle: the Wide-Field Ektar 135mm. I love the two I have. Single coated, but only four elements, so relatively flare-free.

Best,

Doremus Scudder