Small wide angle lens for 5X7

[sanking]

What is the lightest and most compact modern lens in the 90mm - 120mm focal length that will cover the 5X7" format with some movements? I am currently using a 120mm f/8 Fujinon SW and its performance and coverage are very acceptable, but the size and weight is a little off-putting when back-packing of packing for travel.

[Steve Hamley]

Sandy,

The 110mm Super Symmar XL should be a prime candidate. Right in the middle of your range, and mine will at least illuminate 8x10. Schneider lists it as a 5x7 lens.

Steve

[Gem Singer]

Hi Sandy,

According to the comparison chart on this website, the Schneider 80 Super Symmar XL and the Nikkor 90SW are two of the lightest weight wide angle lenses that will cover the 5x7 format. Also, take a look at the Osaka line of wide angle lenses that Bromwell handles. I really like the Fujinon f8 105SW for the 5x7 format, but it's no lightweight.

[Scott Rosenberg]

hey sandy...

just to add onto what eugene has told you, there's a great reference table right here (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenses/LF5x7in.html) on the site with all the information you need.

good luck,
scott

[William Blunt]

You might consider a 120 Congo 6.3 it's in a Copal 0 shutter. Not a lot of movement on 5x7 but sure is small and compact.

[Carl Weese]

I have a 90mm f/6.3 Grandagon (vintage about 1982) that covers 5x7 with excellent quality but very little room for movement. The f/4.5 version had a wider image circle and might be a good find on the used market.This length is really quite wide on 5x7.---Carl

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

You might consider a 4 3/8" (111mm) WA Dagor, at f/45 these give you an IC of about 270mm or so. If in Ilex no. 3 they are a bit heavy, but some of the later models, notably the "gold rim", were mounted in a compur 1. Sharp and light.

[Michael Kadillak]

My Nikon 90mm F9 works great on 5x7 and I think it is actually a bit sharper than the f4.5 version.

Cheers!

[Timothy Dunford]

Sandy, I'll second the 110 Symmar XL. As pictures speak louder than words, I'll attach an architectural shot from last week: Canham 5x7, Velvia 100f (cut down), 110XL, 81A & center filter. I use this combo when I need extra-wide, otherwise I shoot 4x5.

[Timothy Dunford]

Sorry, I guess I don't know how to post this image here.

[Kevin Crisp]

Sandy: I think the 110 Schneider or, for less money, the 90mm Nikon, would fit the bill.

[Oren Grad]

If you want to minimize size and weight while still having ample movement on 5x7, I think the 110 SS-XL is the only lens that really fills the bill. If you're willing to compromise a lot on movement, life gets more complicated, and it will depend how much you're willing to give up.

At least by specification, the slower 90s from the various vendors should offer only minimal room for movement, and one would imagine they would need a center filter to really be able to take advantage of even that.

I've never even tried to use my 90/6.8 Caltar II-N (Grandagon) on 5x7. Can anyone here who has used a slow 90 on 5x7 comment more specifically on how much movement you can get away with and whether you need the center filter?

[Ralph Barker]

Here's the image that Tim Dunford tried to post earlier:


http://www.rbarkerphoto.com/misc/misc-others/TDunford-wide-shot.jpg

[Andre Noble]

My 90 f/8 Nikkor is in the same sharpness category as my best Bronica PS lenses medium format lenses, which says a lot.

Will be perfect for your Shen-Hao 5x7 :>)

[Ole Tjugen]

I don't have modern lenses, but I've used a 120mm Angulon and a 90/8 Super-Angulon on 5x7". No movements possible with the 90, but that's mostly because the bellows are collapsed and the focusing is marginal with this short a lens on my Technika III.

[Chuck_1686]

I also use the Nikon 90 f8. Works very well and fairly small. My 120 Osaka (Congo) covers straight and is very small. The one I got is also a surprisingly sharp lens. But do wish I could justify buying that 110.

[Bill_1856]

Any problem using a f:6.8/120mm Angulon? 225gm in shutter.

[Mark Sampson]

I've seen the 135mm Wide Field Ektar cover 5x7. It's a favorite of mine for 4x5 but I can't say how much extra coverage you'd have.

[sanking]

"Any problem using a f:6.8/120mm Angulon? 225gm in shutter."

I have never used a 120mm Angulon but some people have told me that they are rather soft on the corners, even when stopped down —— and even without any movements. If there are other opinions I be interested in hearing them.

[Kirk Gittings]

for Tim Dunford,

Just curious Tim. That image is very nice but it has some very odd tonalities and artifacts. Surely it is not a scan from an original. What are we looking at?

[Timothy Dunford]

Kirk,
That is probably because I'm a novice with ImageReady. The file began as a 30" wide RGB scan from a friend in So.Calif. that has a CreoScitex Eversmart Pro, then reduced to 72 dpi in PS, then converted in Image Ready using default settings, then emailed to Ralph Barker who kindly offered to post it for me. It is a mere shadow of the appearance of a 13x19 print from the scan using my 2200 and ImagePrint. I think the client is going to order a big Lightjet for their office. You can count the bricks at the far end, while in PS.
Tim

[giancatarina]

i will go for the 110 xl, it's one of my sharpest lens (150 apo sironar s, 180 apo symmar, 72xl, and 55 apo g).
You have to consider a center filter also, and with the 110 xl it's a 67/82 !
The 90XL is a monster comparing to the 110 !