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Xavier Rubirola
1-Feb-2005, 17:43
Hi, I am a photography student. My question is if any one knows if the Schneider Symmar-S lens are any good for architectural photography. Of course I would like to buy the Schneider Super-Angulon XL, but it is out of my budget. Or at least wich lens I could go for in order to get a decent sharpness on the edges. Thanks

Ted Harris
1-Feb-2005, 17:56
If you are talking about a multicoated (it will be so marked) Symmar-S you are unlikely nto notice the differemce between it and an Apo Symmar, in other words it will be fine. An older lens will also be ok but it depends on your applications.

Neal Wydra
1-Feb-2005, 18:09
Dear Xavier,

You should check out http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/symmar-s/ (http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/vintage_lens_data/large_format_lenses/symmar-s/) and http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html (http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/testing.html).

Neal Wydra

Michael S. Briggs
1-Feb-2005, 18:15
The Symmar-S delivers excellent sharpness over some circle. The issue is whether that circle is large enough for your needs -- this depends on the format and the focal length. For a given lens type such as the Symmar-S, the diameter of the circle of coverage is proportional to the focal length (except perhaps for the longest focal lengths). Plasmat-type lenses such as the Symmar-S (and other Symmar types, Sironar types, Nikkor-W and Fuji-W) work well as normal and longer focal lengths -- this is 150 mm and above for 4x5 film. Focal lengths that are slightly wide-angle can be used, such as 135 mm for 4x5, but there won't be much reserve of coverage, which will limit the extent of movements such as front rise. So, for example, a 210 mm Symmar-S will support large movements for architecture, but a 135 Symmar-S wouldn't be ideal for architecture.

neil poulsen
1-Feb-2005, 21:45
The heavy hitter lenses for architecture are the wide-angles, like the Super-Angulons and Grandagons. Plasmats, like the Symmar-S lenses, are used less frequently. In my experience with architecture, coverage of plasmats hasn't been a big issue. Because of their cost, I've standardized on Symmar-S lenses, and I'm please with the results. Most of my Symmar-S lenses are multi-coated.

For wide-angles, multi-coating is an advantage. They have more air-to-glass surfaces. While I've gotten good to excellent results with my less costly single-coated wide-angles, multi-coated lenses offer an advantage.

Mark Sampson
2-Feb-2005, 05:34
If you are a student, and you want to shoot architectural photography on 4x5, you have one lens requirement. That would be a 90mm f/8 wide-angle. All the major brands will work well. Multi-coating is nice but not required- a chrome Schneider Super-Angulon will be fine. (My personal lens is a 90/8 Nikkor-SW.) All the Schneider Symmars (convertible, 'S', 'S-multicoated', Apo-Symmars) are fine performers, but do not have the wide coverage you will need. They are excellent normal-to slightly-wide lenses and have been the standard since the 1960's. A Symmar in your choice of focal length would be an excellent complement to the 90mm.

Stan. Laurenson-Batten
2-Feb-2005, 11:28
Yes, the Schneider Symmar-s 5.6/150mm is an excellent lens and often starting fulcrum point for any 5X4 photography. Go for it!