lens options for a Calumet 4X5...(economy-driven)...

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

Rick "who paid $200 for a 210mm Sinaron-S in a Copal shutter" Denney

That sounds like an excellent deal. How was the glass?

I paid $162 for mine directly from Sinar Bron when they were clearing everything out in 2004. It wouldn't surprise me if it was new because it looked pristine when I got it.

[rdenney]

That sounds like an excellent deal. How was the glass?

I paid $162 for mine directly from Sinar Bron when they were clearing everything out in 2004. It wouldn't surprise me if it was new because it looked pristine when I got it.

The glass is perfect--a lovely multicoated Rodenstock APO-Sironar-N. Yes, it was a good deal, but I think yours was likely a better deal, heh.

Rick "who was inactive for the Sinar Bron clearance--too bad" Denney

[Kevin Crisp]

Agree you can get very good lenses with coverage for around $200 or less. I would NOT buy a lens with a meaningful dent in the front or rear outer threads. If you need to open it up to clean off haze, you're done for.

[Joseph Dickerson]

Yes, you can find really good (cheap) prices on really nice lenses, Sinaron, Symar, Nikkor et al, but you'll have to shop and wait.

In the meantime look for a Caltar IIe/Rodenstock Geronar. These are the same lens rebadged for Calumet. The are excellent stopped down, offer reasonable movements, especially the 210mm, and can be had inexpensively.

We have several of each focal length where I teach and they are very sharp, contrasty, and generally underrated.

JD

[rdenney]

Shop and wait? Wait for someone to answer the phone at KEH, you mean. They have a pile of good deals in stock right now. It's not like 20 years ago when I bought my 150mm Geronar, when it was half the price of a Symmar Convertible.

Rick "the lines are short these days" Denney

[Paul Fitzgerald]

there are several 8 1/2" / 6.3 Commercial Ektars on eBay right now, nice lens for 4x5, fairly cheap.

[Harold_4074]

For someone starting out, that 210 Symmar Convertible at $165 would be hard to beat.

For decades, my working LF setup was a Calumet monorail and a Symmar-S (150mm convertible). With the front cell removed, it makes a very nice portrait lens. Although 150mm is a bit wide for still life, it's not unworkable, and it is fine for landscape and architecture. 210mm is a good "normal" general purpose lens--a few years back, Calumet was selling cheap lots of used "classroom kits", all with 210mm lenses. I should have bought one for a spare....