Who here loves their 75mm lens on 4x5?

[Paul Cunningham]

I very recently picked up a Nikkor-SW 75mm f/4.5 lens and am now debating whether I should keep it or not.
Rather than debate its merits versus some other lens than I have (or don't), I'd love to hear from those who shoot and love a 75mm. If you can post samples or links to samples, I'd love to see what others are doing!

Paul

[David A. Goldfarb]

Nice for near/far compositions:

118238

[Paul Cunningham]

Thanks David. My family (mother's side) is from Honolulu. I may take this lens with me to Maui next month.

[Brian C. Miller]

118253

Nikkor 75mm. I rarely use mine, as I simply rarely shoot wide. However, there is no way this park shot would have been made with anything else I have, as 75mm is my widest lens.

When you need a wide lens, you just flat-out need it.

[Kirk Gittings]

David Muench-his favorite lens https://www.google.com/search?q=david+muench&espv=2&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=N07EU-zMMYikyASmtIKADA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=544

[Leigh]

I use my Nikkor SW 4.5/75 on 4x5 occasionally. I like it. Like Brian, I don't often shoot wide in that format.

That lens has the largest image circle of any 75mm in my database, which argues in its favor if you use movements.

- Leigh

[Paul Cunningham]

On 35mm, I have nothing between my 20mm and 35mm lenses, and there are absolutely times when I need the 20mm.

[Mark Stahlke]

I love my 75mm lens. I use it often. Here is an example. (http://www.markstahlkephotography.com/Alcove.html)

[Paul Cunningham]

Those are some very fine examples, Mike.


I love my 75mm lens. I use it often. Here is an example. (http://www.markstahlkephotography.com/Alcove.html)

[Paul Cunningham]

Can't argue with his work.

David Muench-his favorite lens https://www.google.com/search?q=david+muench&espv=2&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=N07EU-zMMYikyASmtIKADA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=544

[biedron]

Love my 75mm. Balanced Rock and Cacti, Big Bend National Park, Rodenstock 75mm APO Grandagon, Velvia 50.

118296

Sometimes it not wide enough though, and I reach for the 55mm. It all depends.

Bob

[alexn]

I always found my 75 just not quite wide enough... When I want to use a wide angle I almost always yearn for an ultra wide angle.. my 65mm is where I start calling it wiiide but really I need a 55 or 58mm in my bag..

I feel 90% of the time I had a 75mm it was either just too short for what I wanted to do, or just that little too long... I prefer a 55~65mm lens as a wide, then hop straight to a 90~135 for the longer but still wide feel

[Kirk Gittings]

So FWIW for my work I don't like an obvious ultra wide angle look. The exaggerated one point perspective (speaking here for myself solely) is too easy a compositional crutch and gives me an image which shouts WIDE ANGLE to the viewer emphasizing what lens I used rather than my subject. I prefer a 120 if possible-if not a 90. Not saying I never use a wider lens (for commercial work it is absolutely necessary many times) but I try to avoid it. Many top architectural photographers will argue to always use the longest lens possible and not rely on the wide angle POV-such as Nick Merrick at Hedrich Blessing (http://www.hedrichblessing.com/nickvisionreload.html). So I sold my 47 and 65 and just have a 90 and 120. I am casually looking for a 75 but not in any hurry.

[Ari]

I no longer have my 75, I replaced it with the 72XL.
Neither got very much use, but when needed, nothing else will do.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8389080425_31f56ca976.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dMjekF)upass077a (https://flic.kr/p/dMjekF) by Ari4000 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

[Corran]

I usually carry my 58mmXL and then 90mm f/8, but boy I sure like the rendering of my Biogon 75. Shot a couple of frames with it Saturday but haven't scanned them yet.

[Alan Gales]

I used to own a Nikkor 75mm but replaced it with a 90mm. The 75 was just too wide for me personally. I've seen some great images taken with 75mm and even wider lenses. It's definitely a personal choice. We all see a little differently and that's what makes the photography world go round. :)

[ROL]

Does 110 in 5x7 format count? I believe it's a fairly close approximation numerically to 75/4x5. When I bought it, a very nice one I might add, I thought I would be using it a lot. But that hasn't turned out to be the case. I use it fairly rarely, so I guess you could say I don't love the 75's cousin so much. Respect it, carry it still – yes.

The reasons aren't so clear to me, but I suspect either I have moved on from seeking near-far relationships, or more likely, increasing age related infirmities have depleted my ability and zeal to shoot near the ground. You can add to that the rather limited available movements with a lens that wide – but oh the depth of field!. For me, the apparent wide angle-ness of any lens may be mostly obviated by the vision of the person using it.

[Drew Wiley]

I thought increasing age brought one a LOT closer to the ground!

[Kirk Gittings]

as long as its not on the ground....then I can hardly get up!

[Jmarmck]

I feel your pain...........literally.

[ROL]

I thought increasing age brought one a LOT closer to the ground!

…or in it! :D



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGafFvnUC-I

[Paul Cunningham]

This image impresses me for not having a "wide feel" to it. It is the interaction of foreground and background, I guess.


Love my 75mm. Balanced Rock and Cacti, Big Bend National Park, Rodenstock 75mm APO Grandagon, Velvia 50.

118296

Sometimes it not wide enough though, and I reach for the 55mm. It all depends.

Bob

[Paul Cunningham]

Love this composition.


I no longer have my 75, I replaced it with the 72XL.
Neither got very much use, but when needed, nothing else will do.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8389080425_31f56ca976.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dMjekF)upass077a (https://flic.kr/p/dMjekF) by Ari4000 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

[ROL]

Of course, longer lenses give you longer reach, among other attributes. As my earlier point suggested, it really depends on what the user does with the lens, not necessarily the other way 'round. I never understood that so personally (and so recently ;)) as just yesterday, when I attempted to isolate images of fine art prints in order to flesh out an APUG post. Selecting uses of normal lenses, versus very "wide" and "telephoto", I repeatedly misidentified the lens used. Some pictures that I recollected were taken with wide lenses, were actually with the longest, and vice versa! All that matters in the end is the end result, not any particular tool.

[Ari]

Thank you, Paul.

[Boinzo]

I totally love my 75! It is my go-to lens and has produced probably 80% of my exhibited work. The image circle is huge (for a wide) so it accommodates plenty of funky movements and is just a pleasure to shoot. I very rarely use a 58mm XL as well and really - it's just too wide in almost all natural environment locations I visit.
I think a lot depends on where you are - the 75 (and wider) were totally useless when I visited the South-West for example(except perhaps in the Zion Narrows). And so I mostly shot a 150 and 300 there. But here, in my Australian backyard - the 75mm smashes it.

[Michael_4514]

as long as its not on the ground....then I can hardly get up!

Better on the ground than under it.

[ROL]

I think a lot depends on where you are - the 75 (and wider) were totally useless when I visited the South-West for example...

I think a lot depends on where you are (;) – meant ambiguously), for example. Not to take you to task, Boinzo, but I keep revisiting this thread because I believe there are some important points to be made regarding image making. The first image taken with a very long lens, the second with a super wide angle lens (75/4x5 equivalent). Neither, but especially Liliputian Arch, will be found on the AAA maps:


White Rim and Candlestick Tower
http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/albums/American-Southwest/White%20Rim%20and%20Candlestick%20Tower.jpg


Liliputian Arch, White Rim
http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/albums/American-Southwest/Liliputian%20Arch%2C%20White%20Rim.jpg

[Boinzo]

Totally ROL. I thought that was what I meant! :D


I think a lot depends on where you are (;) – meant ambiguously), for example. Not to take you to task, Boinzo, but I keep revisiting this thread because I believe there are some important points to be made regarding image making. The first image taken with a very long lens, the second with a super wide angle lens (75/4x5 equivalent). Neither, but especially Liliputian Arch, will be found on the AAA maps:
.....

[Paul Cunningham]

So it seems I will keep the 75mm f/4.5 in my bag of tricks, at least for now, even though it is a bit close to my 90mm f/8. It's not like you can have *too many* lenses, is it?

[Kirk Gittings]

You can't have too many lenses, but you can try and carry too many lenses :).

[evan clarke]

I have a Super Angulon 72mm XL. I like it so much it has it's own camera.

[Kirk Gittings]

I have a Super Angulon 72mm XL. I like it so much it has it's own camera.

:)

[Alan Gales]

You can't have too many lenses,

Kirk, you obviously have not spoken with my wife. ;)