Newbie; so many lens options!

[aFeinberg]

Ok...so having shot digital for...well...most of my life...I'm pretty blown away by the lens choices for LF...especially considering the very close name systems.

I believe 3 lenses is where I will sit for now. Going to have a 90/6.8.

Looking for recommendations around 150mm (ish) and 240mm (ish).

Landscape/nude work and portraiture, so fast apertures are better (though I have no idea what kind of shallow dof I'm getting in to :P).


Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

aF


PS; Will be using a CHAMONIX 45N-2 4x5

[Peter De Smidt]

Get one to start. After using it awhile, you'll get a feel for what else you'd like. While I don't use one, 150mm would be a very inexpensive and high quality lens, well suited to full figure work. Another good option would be a 210mm/5.6, a very common lens. If you really want to go for more than one off the bat, a 90/6.8 and a 210/5.6 would be fairly inexpensive, and you would be able to cover a large range of subjects. (With 4x5 I use 90mm/6.8, 120mm/8, 210/5.6mm, 300/9. The 120mm and 210mm are my most used lenses in 4x5.) A 240mm is a nice lens, but they're much more expensive in compact form, such as a Fuji A, or Doktor Optic. They also tend to be f9 max lenses.

I like Fujinon lenses. They are just as good as the other name brands, but they're often a little cheaper. The other biggies are Nikon, Schneider, and Rodenstock.

[aFeinberg]

Thanks Peter. I think a lot of the confusion (at least for myself) is trying to figure out which are MC and have good image circles. I have heard a bunch about the 90/210 combo...just figured the 240 would be a bit longer to move it away from the 150. Though you're right, the 240s are generally f9. boo :p

[Dan Fromm]

Go here http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ and read the lens FAQs. Read this one http://www.largeformatphotography.info/chasing-magic-bullet.html too.

The lens FAQs are incomplete and some of the assessments they report are idiosyncratic. Here http://sdrv.ms/1i4czGa is a link to a large list of lens catalogs. Use it.

For LF lenses single-coated isn't a deal breaker.

Don't torture yourself. Its easy to find out which lenses have low coverage. 90/6.8 Angulon, for example, and the equivalent 90/6.8 Raptar and 88/6.8 B&L. Its hard to make a bad mistake with a modern lens from, in alphabetical order, Fuji, Nikon, Rodenstock and Schneider. There are other good lens makers. With used lenses condition is more important than maker or a measly couple of mm of coverage.

[Peter De Smidt]

Perhaps something like this: https://www.keh.com/256257/210-f5-6-fujinon-w-copal-bt-42-mt-4x5-lens

[Jac@stafford.net]

Perhaps something like this: https://www.keh.com/256257/210-f5-6-fujinon-w-copal-bt-42-mt-4x5-lens

Right on. OP: do not underestimate the Fujion lenses. They are usually a best buy.
.

[aFeinberg]

Well...just got a Shen Hao w 4 lenses so grip it and rip it! :)

90 5.6 super angulon
Fuji W 125mm F5.6
Schneider Symmar S 180mm F5.6
Fuji W 210mm F5.6

Thanks all for the advice!
aF

[Jody_S]

Well...just got a Shen Hao w 4 lenses so grip it and rip it! :)

90 5.6 super angulon
Fuji W 125mm F5.6
Schneider Symmar S 180mm F5.6
Fuji W 210mm F5.6

Thanks all for the advice!
aF

Those are all superb lenses, so have fun!

[Peter De Smidt]

Nice setup. Have fun!

[biedron]

I think a lot of the confusion (at least for myself) is trying to figure out which are MC and have good image circles.

I find the following a great source of info on "modern" LF lenses:

http://www.ebonycamera.com/articles/lenses.html

If doesn't indicate lens coatings or filter sizes, but shows max apertures, image circles, shutter sizes, and flange focal distances.

Bob

[ic-racer]

Buy one lens and use it and get to know it. Any advice on a particular lens for you would be like recommending what type of spouse you should have.

[aFeinberg]

Great info...thanks bob!


I find the following a great source of info on "modern" LF lenses:

http://www.ebonycamera.com/articles/lenses.html

If doesn't indicate lens coatings or filter sizes, but shows max apertures, image circles, shutter sizes, and flange focal distances.

Bob

[angusparker]

I personally think 125 / 180 / 240 is a nice spacing. For me 90 is too wide on 4x5. I'd second looking at getting Fujinon lenses.

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks Peter. I think a lot of the confusion (at least for myself) is trying to figure out which are MC and have good image circles. I have heard a bunch about the 90/210 combo...just figured the 240 would be a bit longer to move it away from the 150. Though you're right, the 240s are generally f9. boo :p

No, 240mm general purpose lenses are usually 5.6. 240mm process lenses are F9. However, a 240mm 5.6 will be in a 3 size shutter. And on 4x5 the difference between a 210mm and a 240mm in coverage isn't very much but a 210mm 5.6 is usually in a 1 size shutter so they are much lighter and much smaller then a 240mm 5.6 and have much more coverage and a much wider range of optimal apertures then an F9 process lens.

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks Peter. I think a lot of the confusion (at least for myself) is trying to figure out which are MC and have good image circles. I have heard a bunch about the 90/210 combo...just figured the 240 would be a bit longer to move it away from the 150. Though you're right, the 240s are generally f9. boo :p

Almost all view camera lenses with multi-coating are marked MC on the lens.

[Bob Salomon]

I find the following a great source of info on "modern" LF lenses:

http://www.ebonycamera.com/articles/lenses.html

If doesn't indicate lens coatings or filter sizes, but shows max apertures, image circles, shutter sizes, and flange focal distances.

Bob

And is out of date.

[premortho]

My goodness, I must be really over the hill. No Zeiss or Voigtlaander is worth owning? No Kodak Ektar's No Wollensak Raptars? No Cooke's? What a sad sad world. No body loves me, everybody hates me, I think I'll eat some worms. But I'll take my Ansco 5X7, with a Turner-Reich Triple Convertible Anastigmat with me.
Go here http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ and read the lens FAQs. Read this one http://www.largeformatphotography.info/chasing-magic-bullet.html too.

The lens FAQs are incomplete and some of the assessments they report are idiosyncratic. Here http://sdrv.ms/1i4czGa is a link to a large list of lens catalogs. Use it.

For LF lenses single-coated isn't a deal breaker.

Don't torture yourself. Its easy to find out which lenses have low coverage. 90/6.8 Angulon, for example, and the equivalent 90/6.8 Raptar and 88/6.8 B&L. Its hard to make a bad mistake with a modern lens from, in alphabetical order, Fuji, Nikon, Rodenstock and Schneider. There are other good lens makers. With used lenses condition is more important than maker or a measly couple of mm of coverage.

[Dan Fromm]

Worms are good for you. Few of the lenses on my side of the hill (see http://www.galerie-photo.com/telechargement/dan-fromm-6x9-lenses-v2-2011-03-29.pdf ) are modern, some are uncoated. And while you're reading, read this http://www.largeformatphotography.info/chasing-magic-bullet.html I didn't suggest it to the OP lightly, and like the OP you can use a dose of good old-fashioned reality.

That said, it is easier to make a bad mistake with a crappy old lens in poor condition in a busted shutter than with a modern lens in a shutter that works.

[neil poulsen]

That's a nice set of focal lengths. I'd sell the 210mm and get a Fujinon 250mm f6.7. The 250mm has a small shutter and large coverage. Also, your 125mm W may have limited coverage for 4x5. There's also a 125mm SW, which would have substantial coverage.


Well...just got a Shen Hao w 4 lenses so grip it and rip it! :)

90 5.6 super angulon
Fuji W 125mm F5.6
Schneider Symmar S 180mm F5.6
Fuji W 210mm F5.6

Thanks all for the advice!
aF

[premortho]

Worms are good for you. Few of the lenses on my side of the hill (see http://www.galerie-photo.com/telechargement/dan-fromm-6x9-lenses-v2-2011-03-29.pdf ) are modern, some are uncoated. And while you're reading, read this http://www.largeformatphotography.info/chasing-magic-bullet.html I didn't suggest it to the OP lightly, and like the OP you can use a dose of good old-fashioned reality.

That said, it is easier to make a bad mistake with a crappy old lens in poor condition in a busted shutter than with a modern lens in a shutter that works.
I have a couple of crappy old shutters. But the most dependable shutters I've ever used are of three kinds. The Graphic/Graflex Focal Plane shutter, the Wollensak Rapax, and many of the pnuematic shutters. I do have one crappy old lens, from the 'bay that I thought I could clean up, but couldn't. So I don't use it. And I won't sell it to anyone, because I don't want anyone unhappy with what they buy from me.

[John Kasaian]

Buy one lens and use it and get to know it. Any advice on a particular lens for you would be like recommending what type of spouse you should have.
This.
Well, kind of.
I wouldn't recommend marrying a sociopath.
Just getting out and using your camera will tell you all you need to know about which focal lengths will best suit your vision.
By all means factor in a" cla" added to the price of any used lens you purchase----you don't need the frustration and even if the lens is 100% it will give you a financial cushion to fall back on.