Fujinon T 400mm F/8

[Ed Vatza]

I just read in Simmons "Using the View Camera" that the Fujinon T 400mm f/8 has a bellows draw at infinity of just 10.4". Since my Wista 45 DX has a 12" bellows, this lens should work with this camera. But I just want to make sure before I spend any more $$$. Is this correct?

Thanks.

Ed

[rdeloe]

You're good. Fuji says it has a flange focal distance of 252mm. Assuming 305mm of draw (you said 12") you should be able to focus down to 1.45m.

If you get it and like it, will you send me a PM with your thoughts? I'd like to have something in this focal length for my Wista 45VX. I have heard (the usual Internet hearsay) that the Fujinon 400mm is a better performer than the 300mm (but I have no personal knowledge of how either does).

Rob

[pendennis]

I just bought one last week, and the draw @ infinity is right around 10.4". I have mine mounted on a Cambo SC, and I've been "view testing", since the weather is bitterly cold now. The image circle is supposed to be 220mm @ f/22. Don't have any reason to believe differently, yet.

I also have Super Graphic and Sears Tower 4x5 cameras, and I tried it out on both of them; it's going to be a tight squeeze for much less than infinity focus on either one. But, for far landscapes, and little movement, it should work out with either of them.

Mine came from a Japanese dealer on eBay, and the lens is mint. Not a scratch, dust, etc., the f/stops are firm along with the shutter speed dial. It came mounted on a Toyo lens board, but I already have Cambo, Graphic, and Busch boards drilled for Copal #1.

[JMO]

I’ve used the 400T for 4-5 years on my Linhof Master Technika IV and it has been a good performer. The bellows draw at infinity is as described by Ed above. On my MT IV Classic I can also use the 600T, and I’ve liked the results with it too.

[Mick Fagan]

You may wish to consider the Komura 400T unit. There are two versions, mine is the f/6.3 version, takes 67mm filters and is quite good optically. Not brilliant, but good to see if you like the style a telephoto lens has on 4x5" format. Mine is in a Copal 3 shutter. Made by Sankyo Kohki Japan.

I've used it off and on for around 10-11 years, works quite well for portraits where you are close focusing and wishing to get the background substantially blurred. My preference these days, is to use my Fujinon 250mm lens and crop, but for some pictures the 400 telephoto works a treat.

I mostly use mine on my Shen Hao HZX45-IIA, which has a bellows that officially goes out to 360mm, but in essence, without fiddling and extending the front standard, the bellows draw is closer to 300mm +- a bit.

There is another version, I haven't seen one, but I have read about them, it is a slower version f/8 and according to some literature I have read online, this lens was designated for 6x9cm or 4x5" work.

http://allphotolenses.com/public/files/pdfs/9c85de281eee10b265e9aa77511316ab.pdf

Page 16.

Mick.

[Mick Fagan]

186968

Forgot to add the attachment.

Mick.

[ammar.tai]

You're good. Fuji says it has a flange focal distance of 252mm. Assuming 305mm of draw (you said 12") you should be able to focus down to 1.45m.

If you get it and like it, will you send me a PM with your thoughts? I'd like to have something in this focal length for my Wista 45VX. I have heard (the usual Internet hearsay) that the Fujinon 400mm is a better performer than the 300mm (but I have no personal knowledge of how either does).

Rob
I have this lens and I love using it with my intrepid. It's really handy when doing street photography and you don't want to be noticed with a view camera. I mostly use it in combination with a nikkor w 210mm

[GRAYnomad]

I'm very close to buying a T400 for my Tachihara. I know on paper that it works with my bellows draw but it's nice to hear it first hand.

The other option is a Nikkor 360, but they are twice the price.

[Joseph Kashi]

The 400T is a decently sharp lens but bulky. When I ran some comparative tests, the MC-version 400T that I tested was sharper than a lot of classic glass (older Dagors, older Plasmats, and most Protar VIIa) but not quite as sharp as most of the newer plasmats. It's a useful and good enough lens and worth keeping but it is very bulky, so it's not a lens that I carry regularly.

[diversey]

I used my T400 lens on my 4x5 tachihara camera. The lens is too heavy for the camera.


I'm very close to buying a T400 for my Tachihara. I know on paper that it works with my bellows draw but it's nice to hear it first hand.

The other option is a Nikkor 360, but they are twice the price.

[Bernice Loui]

Another example of camera limiting what is needed lens wise to achieve image goals.


Bernice



I used my T400 lens on my 4x5 tachihara camera. The lens is too heavy for the camera.

[GRAYnomad]

I used my T400 lens on my 4x5 tachihara camera. The lens is too heavy for the camera.

Oh that's unfortunate. What are the symptoms? Is it unusable or just not the best?

[Mark Sampson]

I used a Tachi for ten years- I imagine that the weight, and balance point, of the Fuji 400T would overpower the front standard. My 'long' lens on that camera was a Nikkor-M 300/9. Not the same, I admit!

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

They say the lens to have is the Fuji C 450mm for weight in that focal length. Pricey, but light weight and coverage galore.

Like Mark, I have a folder and a Fuji T 400mm and the weight does tend to overpower the front standard. You can do it, but requires some care.

[diversey]

T400 is a very nice lens, good for portrait and landscape. It is very cheap now. It can be used on tachihara 4x5 camera, but the front standard and lens are shaking when you rack out and in for focusing. I currently use T400 on my Deardorff 5x7 Camera.


Oh that's unfortunate. What are the symptoms? Is it unusable or just not the best?

[GRAYnomad]

They say the lens to have is the Fuji C 450mm for weight in that focal length. Pricey, but light weight and coverage galore.

Like Mark, I have a folder and a Fuji T 400mm and the weight does tend to overpower the front standard. You can do it, but requires some care.


Unfortunately the C450 is not a tele though, it has 425mm flang/film draw so can't use on a most (all?) field cameras. Maybe with a 6" tophat lens board :D

[GRAYnomad]

T400 is a very nice lens, good for portrait and landscape. It is very cheap now. It can be used on tachihara 4x5 camera, but the front standard and lens are shaking when you rack out and in for focusing. I currently use T400 on my Deardorff 5x7 Camera.

Thanks. That sounds like it would still be usable then. I think I'll get one.

[h2oman]

I've used mine with no problems on a metal field camera (Wista SP).

[GRAYnomad]

I've used mine with no problems on a metal field camera (Wista SP).

Good, the Wista probably has smoother focusing than the Tachi and wouldn't get the wobbles as mentioned above. But it all sounds doable.

[Bernice Loui]

Who are "They" ?

IMO, Fujinon C is good, but not better than lenses of similar design and vintage of production.


Bernice



They say the lens to have is the Fuji C 450mm for weight in that focal length. Pricey, but light weight and coverage galore.