How mAny lenses?

[Mike Cockerham]

I'm wondering how many diffferent lenses people have for their 12x20 cameras? I have a B&L 12x15 that is great, f12 about 75 degree angle of view. Do I need to try to expand my lens selection?

Thanks

[Jan Van Hove]

If your lens is great, then you don't NEED any other...

If you feel limited by the possibilities, the wide angle, the slow speed, the "look", for your use of the camera of course, than you can look further, but if you start down that road, it can easily turn into a magic bullet chase...

if you're happy, stay happy, no matter how many lenses other photographers have... :)

Unhelpful, I know, but I like to give advice like that, because i need to hear it myself once in a while...

Cheers,

Jan Van Hove

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

I don't see how ULF is any different than any other format(s). I shoot 4X5 and am happy to only have a 150mm lens but many others have 4 or 5 lenses. It all depends on what you like/want to shoot.

[CXC]

Two: G-Claron 355mm and Fuji C 450mm. Next up would be a Fuji C 600mm.

[Mike Cockerham]

CXC Which camera do you use?

Jan I'm looking for recomendations for possible future lenses.

Thanks

[Jay M. Packer]

Mike:

I have five lenses for my Phillips 12x20: 355 G-Claron, 450 Nikon M, 600 Fuji C, 750 Apo-Germinar, and 1000 Apo-Germinar.

I tend to use the 600 and 750 more than the others, but that's just me; most good ULF photographers seem to prefer wider lenses for the panoramic formats. Does your photographic vision require a wide angle perspective? Sandy King says that the Schneider 210 XL will also cover 12x20, but you have to stand sideways behind the camera during the exposure to avoid being in the image.

A major consideration in lens selection is the length of your ULF camera bellows. A 47 inch Artar will be of little value if you only have 22 inches of bellows extension. My 1000mm Apo-Germinar requires a custom extension lensboard; the 36 inch bellows of the Phillips is not quite long enough to permit infinity focus. Another consideration is the environment in which the camera will be used. I can state from experience that the sail area of a 12x20 camera with an attached 1000mm lens is only slightly less than that of a 12-meter yacht; if you plan to use the camera outdoors in a windy area, be content with shorter lenses.

Good luck in your quest.

[Jan Van Hove]

Hi mike,

Sorry if i sounded rude, I'm not working in that format so i can't help you with specifics...
A 24" Artar is a nice longish lens for the format, but in 12x20 there are still a few offerings, mainly with fuji, that cover the format with a shutter...
So i'll second the fujinon 600mm...

Jan

[Michael Kadillak]

355 G Claron, 450mm Nikon M, 600mm Fuji C and 35" Red Dot gives me all the options I need for 12x20.

A 12x20 Folmer and Schwing only has 24" of bellows and the 600MM Fuji at infinity is about the longest focal length you can use. My 35" red dot tips the scale at about 5 1/2 # and needs a base support in the form of a second tripod when even a modest wind is blowing. I am always amazed at the coverage of the 355 G Claron and the 450 Nikon M and use them frequently. The added plus is that if you have long arms you can stay under the ground glass when you do your thing.

Keep your eyes open and look for a deal and consider the option I used for the 35" Artar - a front mounted packard shutter. A great option to expensive machining to drop a barrel lens into a shutter without compromising anything in the image department.

Cheers!

[Mike Cockerham]

Jan I didn't think you rude, sorry about the misunderstanding.

Michael i have a 24 Apo Ronar that I just got, I cannot get it to focus at infinity, my bellows measures 20-21 inches.

Thanks

[Jim Galli]

355 G-Claron, and 18 7/8" Single Protar VII. Any of the Protar VII's beginning at the one I mentioned and up through 39" would work. I also have a double B&L Plastigmat that covers my 8X20. Either of the elements from it by themselves would cover 12X20 with room to spare. They are 23 1/8" I think. Similar to the Protar VII and I'm not sure what the difference really is.
I think the 500mm element from my 300/500 Symmar would cover but I've never tried it.

[kreig]

1000 mm germinar?? how big is it?

I have an 890mm nikkor that is a beast. I mount the lens on the tripod and then hang the 14x17 off the back. :-)

[sanking]

Selection of lenses is determined by personal vision, bellows draw, and your wallet.

For 12X20" (Canham with about 48" of useful bellows draw) I use a 300 f/9 Computar, a 450 f/9 Nikkor-M, a 600f/11 Fujinon-C and a 30" Red Dot Artar. I would estimate that I used the 300mm Computar and 450mm Nikkor-M about 85% of the time. I owned a 42" Red Dot Artar for several years but used it only three or four times, which led me to recently sell it. I found the 42” Artar too large and heavy to use comfortably on the Canham, and of course it was necessary to support it with a minipod. I have no doubt but now that it is gone there will be a major project I want to do that will require a 42" lens.

For 7X17" I use all of the lenses above, plus a 210 f/9 Computar (just misses the corners) and a 240 f/9 Computar. The 240 Computar and 300 Computar are my favorite lenses for this format.

If necessary I could do about 90% of my work in both 7X17" and 12X20" with three lenses, the 240 and 300 Computars and the 450 Nikkor-M. I guess this fits in my style of work which favors moderately wide-angle lenses.

[CXC]

Mike, I have a Korona 12x20 with an extra, 7x17 back. I would venture a guess that it is the lowest quality of the ULF's; I ended up with it because of its relative affordability and instant availability (eBay). It is delicate, fragile, and fussy, as are most 80-year-olds. If I were patient and rich, I would order a Canham 12x20 with an extra, 11x14 back.