First Lens for 8x10

[Keith Corlass]

Having secured my first LF camera (Thanks Paul!! ), I'm now looking for glass to go with it. Could anyone suggest 300mm entry level lens suitable for 8x10? I'm looking to buy secondhand

Thanks

[E. von Hoegh]

12" Commercial Ektar, 300mm Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar (any of 3 versions), 300mm Rodenstock Sironar (2 or 3 versions); these are probably the most common. Virtually any 12"/300mm lens will do you to get started. Others will certainly chime in with other choices.

[DKirk]

I went with the 360mm Symmar, the early model in the larger compound shutter at f5.6 it's pretty good for portraiture on my 5x4 and has sufficent coverage when I decide on upgrading to 10x8.

[E. von Hoegh]

I went with the 360mm Symmar, the early model in the larger compound shutter at f5.6 it's pretty good for portraiture on my 5x4 and has sufficent coverage when I decide on upgrading to 10x8.

You'll be able to upgrade further, to 11x14 if you wish.

[John Kasaian]

A normal lens could be anything from a 240mm to a 360mm, so take that into consideration as well.
Which price range are you looking at?

For years my only 8x10 lens was a 14" Commercial Ektar and later I added both a 240 G Claron and a 250 Kodak WF.

But if you insist on a 300mm/12" for your first 8x10lens I'd suggest considering:
12" Commercial Ektar everything the 14" Commercial Ektar is, but with a smaller image circle
The venerable Goerz 12" Dagor, a classic in every respect
305mm G Claron, incredibly sharp, small and lightwieght & takes screw on filters
12" Velostigmat, beautiful smoothness when shot open & crisp when stopped down
Those older Symmar double convertibles and Wollensak 1A triple convertibles might interest you as well.

[desertrat]

If you're strapped for cash, a 12" Ilex f6.3 Paragon is similar in design to the Commercial Ektar and can usually be found at a lower price.

[E. von Hoegh]

Also, the many Calumet branded versions of Schneider Symmars and Rodenstock Sironars usually are bargains.

[Mark Sawyer]

Any modern (AR coated, which started post WWII) 300mm lens in a reliable shutter will be fine. There are too many options to list, and it really depends on what you run across. The biggest differences will be in coverage; stay away from Artars and Ronars unless you're going over 400mm. Other than that, any of the usual 300mm options will cover 8x10 with room to spare.

[Alan Gales]

My first lens for 8x10 was a 14" Commercial Ektar. They are getting a little pricey but so are other 360mm lenses. My second lens was a Fujinon 250mm F6,7 lens. Single coated but has a lot of coverage and the price was just below $300.00. I have since seen a few others sell on Ebay for just over $300.00 which is a real bargain.

[Fotoguy20d]

Are you trying for the vintage look? do you need a shutter? A 12-21-28 Turner Reich triple will give you three focal lengths. You can find a B&L 12" R-R, or a Gundlach 12" RR which would also be a triple. My first 8x10 lens was the T-R. My favorite might still be an early 240mm Dagor. I've recently added the 14" CE and 12" Series II Velostigmat but have yet to shoot with them.

Dan