Schneider Super-Symmar XL 110mm f5.6 & Nikkor SW 120mm f/8

[r.e.]

Can anyone comment on the relative merits of these two lenses?

[Leigh]

I've never used the Schneider, so I can't offer a comparison. However...

I do have the Nikkor 120/8 and shoot it frequently. It's an excellent lens with a huge image circle of 312mm, which permits extreme movements on 4x5.

- Leigh

[John Brady]

I can speak for the Nikor sw 120 as it is my most used lens on 8x10 for color and black and white landscape. It is an exceptional lens and value. I think they are discontinued and have been for a couple of years but B&H still has them and sell them for around $750. It just covers 8x10 stopped down and doesn't overly vignette in my opinion. Very sharp and crazy wide. I may buy another as a back up.

I believe the super symar 110 has a wider angle of coverage but the price is almost triple the price. That doesn't mean I wouldn't love to have one.

www.timeandlight.com

[r.e.]

That doesn't mean I wouldn't love to have one.

www.timeandlight.com

John, if you could expand, why is that?

[Leigh]

I believe the super symar 110 has a wider angle of coverage...

Actually, no. The IC on the 110/5.6 XL is 288mm (which certainly won't handle 8x10), vs. 312mm for the Nikkor 120/8.

- Leigh

[John Brady]

Because it's a smidge wider, and for me the wider the better when it comes to itntamite landscape images. It is regarded by many as one of those great lenses.

There are many here that can give you the correct angle of view, I think it's 110 for the nikor and 115 for the super symar.

I love the super angulon 47xl for 4x5 and I think the super symar would be the closest comparison for 8x10. Just my opinion though.

www.timeandlight.com

[r.e.]

Actually, no. The IC on the 110/5.6 XL is 288mm, which certainly won't handle 8x10.

- Leigh

There are people here who have said that Schneider is conservative on coverage and that the lens will in fact cover 8x10 at f/22 without movements.

[Leigh]

There are many here that can give you the correct angle of view, I think it's 110 for the nikor and 115 for the super symar.

Both lenses are rated 105° on their respective data sheets.

- Leigh

[Leigh]

There are people here who have said that Schneider is conservative on coverage and that the lens will in fact cover 8x10 at f/22 without movements.

All data sheet ratings are conservative. Each manufacturer has its own standards for what constitutes 'acceptable' coverage when defining IC. It generally does not mean the actual diameter of the illuminated circle thrown by the lens, but is some lesser value.

As with many specs, it depends a lot on what type of photography you do as to whether the published values accurately reflect your usage.

- Leigh

[r.e.]

Thanks all. I asked the question because the Schneider has been for sale in the classifieds for the last few weeks. In the last half hour or so, the vendor has withdrawn the offer. Still, if others have views on the relative merits of these lenses, it would be useful.