Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

  1. #1

    Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

    Hi All, I have watched this forum for many months, and I thank you all for helping us with your vast knowledge and experience. My question: Can one use small format lenses for 4X5 photography? I understand adaptors are needed. The lens in question is a Nikon AI 200mm, f2.8. Thank you all, Fr. G

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    444

    Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

    The easy answer is no. They are designed to cover a MUCH smaller piece of film. If you wanted rediculously obscene magnification and had ALOT of bellows draw you could possibly use one for macro - and when I say macro I mean 25:1. For anything resembling normal photography the answer is no.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,470

    Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

    Well, if you want an image with good definition in most of a 43 mm circle, go for it. But remember that to use the lens you'll have to put it in shutter (it will resist this), put it in front of a shutter, or hang it on a camera that has a focal plane shutter.

    If you must have a fast 200 mm lens that covers 4x5, save your pennies and get an 8"/2.0 Dallmeyer Super Six. Save lots of pennies, be prepared to wait quite a while. Or, sacrifice your principles, save fewer pennies, don't wait quite as long, and wait for an 8"/2.9 Dallmeyer Pentac.

    Good luck, sorry there's not much in the way of a free lunch available,

    Dan

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    390

    Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

    You could do large format to small but not the other way around. I would love to put some of my smaller format glass on my bigger formats but the design is all wrong.

  5. #5

    Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

    If you are looking for a fast 200mm lens for LF the best bet might be the ex-military air reconnaissance lenses often dating to WW2. The Kodak Aero Ektar is 7"/f2.5 and the Dallmeyer Pentac is 8"f/2.9. These were designed for 5x5". They come without shutters and in the case of the Aero Ektar the glass often has a yellow-brown tinge due to the use of radioactive elements.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    Posts
    1,789

    Small format lenses for 4X5 photography?

    FatherGerrit,

    The short answer as above is no - for normal photography - the lens doesn't have nearly enough image circle. But there's no need to even try. You could easily find a 210mm Tessar-type lens with plenty of coverage for 4x5 for about 1/4 the price that you could have adapters for the Nikon made, not to mention the additional price of a shutter.

    Thanks!

    Steve

Similar Threads

  1. Experiences moving from small to large format?
    By Eric_6227 in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 23-Jan-2006, 17:06
  2. Small, lightwieght lenses for 5x7
    By John Kasaian in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 21-Jan-2004, 08:10
  3. Small Product Photography ..digital or film?
    By Ron Stroope in forum Digital Hardware
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 14-Dec-2000, 01:32
  4. Small Product Photography ...135mm Lens? will it work?
    By Ron Stroope in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 13-Dec-2000, 12:58
  5. great tool for small"tabletop" still life and product photography
    By Ellis Vener in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 20-May-1999, 19:39

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •