Cheap (yeah, I know...) Wide Angle for 5x7?

[William Barnett-Lewis]

I recently got a 5x7 camera. I have 2 normals and a 300/4.5 longer focus lens. I'd like to find something that would be a bit wider than normal, say like a 127 is on a Speed Graphic, that covers 5x7.

As usual for me, my budget is generally non-existant so I have to sell stuff to get stuff. As a result, cheaper is better.

The camera does have a focal plane shutter so lenses in barrel are good.

What should I be looking for? I'm new to this big of a format, so I'm feeling almost as confused as when I started in 4x5 a few years back.

Thanks!

[Ari]

Lenses in the 180mm range get little respect these days, so they are selling for very little; many of them will cover 5x7 easily, and most are in working shutters.
Fuji, Nikon, Schneider, Rodenstock, etc you can't go wrong.
Here is a list of modern 5x7 lenses with their respective image circles:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...s/LF5x7in.html

[Brian C. Miller]

The Wollensak 8x10 6-1/4" (159mm) wide angle would fit the bill nicely. They aren't that expensive.

[Gem Singer]

A wide angle lens that is ideal for 5x7 is the Nikon/Nikkor f8 120SW. However, it is large, expensive, and used ones are not readily available.

The 120SW focal length on 5x7 is approx. equivalent to a the 90 focal length on 4x5.

However, a lens, such as the Fujinon f5.6 150W, will cover the 5x7 format with a some movement capability.

The 150 focal length on 5x7 is approx. equivalent to the 110 focal length on 4x5.

150's that cover 5x7 are usually available at a reasonable prices.

See: www.keh.com

[rfesk]

I use a 135mm Wide-field Ektar in a focus mount on my homemade 5X7 P&S. Works great. This is equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera.

[William Barnett-Lewis]

(forgot the quote about the Wollensak)

Hmm. Good thought. Which also reminds me, I've got an old Vellostigmatic Triple Convertable (6 1/2", 9 3/4" & 16 3/4") I should mount that and see what kind of coverage I get...

Thanks!

[William Barnett-Lewis]

150's that cover 5x7 are usually available at a reasonable prices.

See: www.keh.com

Good to know. I see a couple of possibles there for the kinds of coin I can scrounge.

Thanks!

[William Barnett-Lewis]

I use a 135mm Wide-field Ektar in a focus mount on my homemade 5X7 P&S. Works great. This is equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm camera.

Heh. If I ever find a Wide field Ektar I can afford, I'd need two lens boards because I'd want that on my Crown Graphic as well Nice to know it'll work on this format too. Appreciate the information.

[Kevin Crisp]

150 G Claron -- small, cheap, lots of image circle.

[Dan Fromm]

If you're looking for a wide angle lens to use on the 13x18 Mentor you mentioned in http://www.largeformatphotography.in...r-13x18-camera , check the camera's minimum extension before you even think about looking for a lens. This because there are very few retrofocus lenses for formats larger than 6x7 and LR SLRs have fairly deep mirror boxes.

As for sharing lenses between the Mentor and your Crown (4x5), yeah, sure, why not, if they have enough back focus to focus to infinity on the Mentor. But remember that a w/a lens on 5x7 is at best a short normal on 4x5.