What's the best 240mm and 300mm for my needs

[duff photographer]

After a bit of the usual research on the interweb, large format forum, browsing brochures, MTF's, and wotnot I'm no closer to sussing out which 240mm and 300mm lenses would suit me.

I mainly do landscape on 5x7. I like movements so tele lenses are out. I have bellows extension up to 500mm. I'm not a weedy bloke so lugging heavy lenses into the field isn't a problem. The lenses would also need to be multi-coated (had issues with single coated lenses in the past so I wish to avoid them). In these lenses I would be looking for consistency of (high) resolution across the film plane above all but would like to know about the usual illumination and distortion across the field, and colour fidelity. My technique also requires that the lens performs extremely well at f5.6 - f11(ish).

From the last sentence you may think that I would be interested in one of the f5.6 lenses from any of the big four. However, I would be interested in how these larger lenses perform against their smaller apertured brethren. If the performance of the f5.6 lenses turns out to be 'average' in the range f5.6 to f11(ish) then I'll consider the lighter lenses, all else being equal.

However, am I correct in thinking that while the Fujinon A (and C?) and the Nikkor-M are small, light and by all accounts sharp enough, these perform better at close ranges rather than infinity because they are effectively process lenses? This was my impression of the Fujinon-A 240mm - sharp on close objects up to say 1:20 but at infinity it was average. In this respect, would the heavier lenses be better?

I don't hear much about the heavier lenses so I would be interested in hearing people's impressions in the field of Fujinon's CM, Nikon's W range as well the those from Rodenstock and Schneider given the remit in the second paragraph. I may also be looking at something in the 450 to 480mm range as well (Schneider's Apo-symmar 480mm appeals to me).

Sorry for the lengthy post.

Many thanks
Steve.

[Gem Singer]

Steve,

I agree that the smaller, lighter weight process lenses are not quite as satisfying at infinity as they are at closer distances.(An anecdotal statement. No scientific evidence to back it up).

For those focal lengths, in the 5x7 format, I prefer the Nikon/Nikkor f6.3 240W and the f9 300M.

The Fujinon "A" series and the Schneider G-Clarons are based on process lens formulas. The Fujinon "C" series and the Nikon/Nikkor "M" series are 4-element Tessars.

Although they have smaller maximum apertures, both the 240W and the 300M are bright enough for outdoor shooting in daylight. The 240 is a large lens, mounted in a copal 3 shutter. However, it is not quite as heavy as the Nikon/Nikkor f5.6 300W. The f9 300M is a compact lens with lots of coverage. There's no need to carry two large heavy lenses in the field.

[vinny]

I've never had issues with the single coated 305mm g claron when shooting e-6, c41, or b+w. I just happen to have one for sale as well. http://www.largeformatphotography.in...t=305mm+claron

[Gem Singer]

Exactly what I meant by "anecdotal". I did not state that I had issues with single coated process lenses.

My experience with process lens formulations is limited to the Fujinon "A" series.

The images made with those lenses just didn't show the same degree of "roundness" as those made with Plasmats and Tessars.

As I stated, that's only my opinion.

[John Kasaian]

I wouldn't know what "best" for you but I really like my 240 G Claron,

[John Kasaian]

For 300mm I have both a 12" Dagor and 300 Nikon M and either one are champs. Not in the focal length you've ask, but a really fine long lens on my 5x7 is a 14 inch apo Artar( if your bellows will accomodate one)

[Peter De Smidt]

How about a 240mm f9 Docter Optics Germinar W? Unlike G-clarons, kowa, kowa-graphics, computars, the DO lens is multi-coated.

[Armin Seeholzer]

If wight is really not a problem then take APO Sironar S, my 240 is my sharpest lens and did put my APO Symmar on the second place!

Cheers Armin

[Vaughn]

I own a Fuji W 300/5.6 that performs very well -- I recently saw one here for sale.

Heavier than the slower lenses, but that is what you get if you want to work at f5.6. At f11 it should be particularily sweet. I work under the redwoods and that f5.6 is wonderfull -- my 19" RD Artar f11 is sweet, but can be a bit of a pain in low light.

Vaughn

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

I use a 150mm G-Claron and a 210mm Sironar - N on 4X5. If the 240mm lenses of either type preforms as well, either would be very good for you. The 240mm Sironar - N would be easy to find at a low price due to the number that were sold. The 240mm G-Claron would be easy to find cheaply in a barrel but it would be harder to get a shutter for it without breaking the bank.

Have you considered using a 210mm lens? The 210mm Sironar - N has a ton of room for 5X7.